I held on tight as Shelby sobbed in my arms uncontrollably.

“I woke up on the ground. Damien wasn’t there, but I could hear him inside the trailer with Mama. Knowing I needed to move, I made a run for it. I went through the woods and came out on State Road 430. A car stopped to help me.”

Shelby’s entire body trembled.

“It was Maddie driving the car,” she cried. “She saved me. Her and Evan both. They both stayed with me at the hospital. Then they brought me here. Maddie helped me get my GED, gave me a job. She helped me find somewhere to live.”

More sobbing, more tears.

“The first few months after Lucca was born, I could barely afford to pay the bills. Maddie stepped in and bought diapers, bought clothes. She babysat so I could sleep through the night once a week. She did everything for me.”

Tilting her head back, Shelby looked up at me. “But above all, she believed me about Damien. She believed me when no one else did.” Her hand rested on my cheek. “Don’t you see, Tony? Maddie was the angel that I asked God to send me. She was my saving grace.”

It looked like I owed Maddie Davis a hell of a lot.

“Did none of you call the police? Report what Damien did?”

“No,” she said, choking on a sob. “Maddie tried to, but I wouldn’t let her. I just wanted to get away. It was stupid, but I wanted to disappear. I knew that if I reported the incident, Damien would likely go back to jail, maybe even prison. But I also knew that his family would come after me. The moment Lucca was born, they’d take him. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t allow him to be raised by those monsters.” Shelby was in hysterics. “I wouldn’t let them rip my baby away from me, Tony. I just had to run and hide. And I had to prepare for when he came back.” She gasped, barely able to breathe. “Because he’s coming back.”

“Shh, baby.” I kissed her cheek and rocked her back and forth. “Nobody will ever take Lucca from you. I’ll sure as hell make sure of that.”

I gave her a few minutes to calm down before asking, “Is that everything, sunshine?” I pressed my lips to her forehead where they lingered.

Still cradled in my arms, she nodded her head. “Yes.”

Thank Christ.

“But I’m so scared. It’s all I ever think about. I can’t sleep without having nightmares and the panic attacks they—”

“Shhh, gorgeous,” I whispered, cutting her off. She didn’t need to say anything else. I understood. “Hold on tight, baby.”

Standing up, I carried her out of my bedroom and up the stairs.

On the second floor, I pushed open my office door with my arm and carried her around my desk. I sat down and placed her on my lap. Picking up the black desk phone, I asked her, “What’s the name of the city the attack happened in.”

Wide-eyed, she shook her head. “Tony, you can’t—”

I dropped the phone and took her face in my hands. “No.” My tone was firm. “You don’t get to argue with me. Not now and not ever when it comes to your safety. You said he’s coming back. Well, I’m about to handle that shit.” I hardened my face; stilled my features. “So give me the city name, Shelby.” I paused. “Now.”

“Which attack?” She asked, her voice small.

“Both.”

“Mama lives in Cooper Creek. Damien and me lived in Tuscaloosa.”

I dialed the phone. “Toluca PD, Records Division.”

“This is Anthony Moretti, Homicide, Badge number 83721. I need a complete file pulled. Names: Shelby Mason and Damien Black. Cities: Tuscaloosa and Cooper Creek, Alabama.”

“We’ll have it ready for you within the hour Detective Moretti. Would you like me to put it on your desk?”

“No. Email it.” My eyes met Shelby’s. “I’m spending the day with my fiancée so I won’t be into the station unless needed.”

I hung up.

Shelby looked at me like I was crazy. “What are you doing?”

My arms tightened around her. “Figuring out a game plan.” I pinched her chin between two fingers and forced her to look me directly in the eyes. “I want you to listen to me, baby. He will not get to you; he will not get to Lucca. I’ll murder that son of a bitch with my bare hands before he gets within forty foot of either of you.” She sucked in a breath. “As for what I’m doing—I’m protecting my future wife and son.”

I expected her to balk or toss a handful of attitude my way, but she didn’t. Instead, she leaned closer. Tilting her head to the side, she trailed a finger down the side of my face. “You want to know something?”

I nipped at her finger with my teeth. She smiled, and it was a beautiful damn sight. “Yeah, sunshine, I do.”

Leaning forward, she looked me directly in the eyes. “If you keep this up, I’m going to end up falling in love with you, Detective Moretti.”

I fisted my hand in her hair. “You want to know something?” I parroted her question back to her and moved my lips closer to hers.

She nodded in reply.

“That love thing you just mentioned? I’m already there, sunshine.”

I didn’t give her a chance to respond before crashing my lips against hers.