Break, p.11
Break, page 11
What an Asshole
Vincent
I had every intention of going over to Max’s place last night, but I ended up having to stay late for my shift and finish up some reports. Thankfully, Ethan sent me a text to let me know they settled her in.
He added that she hadn’t come down for dinner and when they checked on her; she was deep into a recovery sleep from the events of the previous night. I’m sure she’ll be sleeping a lot over the next few days. Which is convenient, since she won’t need to go anywhere when Danny gets released.
Because he is being released within the next twenty-four hours, and I just know I’ll be hearing from him. To keep the perception that we know nothing about where she’s at, I accept that I’ll have to communicate with him at some point.
Today is my day off, so I take a quick shower and inhale some cereal before throwing a bag together. I have no idea what kind of condition or emotional state Mina is in today, but I want to be prepared to hang out over there in case they need some help. Plus, we need to discuss what our next move is going to be.
I’m barely out of my neighborhood when my phone rings. Seeing the incoming call is from Max, I answer through my Bluetooth.
“Hey Max, what’s going on?” I ask him, flipping my turn signal to change lanes for the on-ramp to the highway.
“Danny called,” he says, whispering into the phone.
My hands tighten on the steering wheel. “What’d he say? And why are you whispering?”
“I’m in the living room. Mina just came down and is in the kitchen. I didn’t want to worry her. Vince, he asked me to come pick him up. He’s getting released on bail.”
“Goddamnit,” I mutter under my breath. I figured he’d be getting out, but I didn’t think it’d be less than a day. We were supposed to have a little more time.
There’s noise through the phone like a shutting door. His voice grows louder as he continues, presumably moving to a different area in the house. “I told him I couldn’t come to pick him up because I was in the middle of something for work, so he asked if I’d get you or Ethan over there for him.”
Growling softly to myself and irritated that I have to face this fucker, I check my mirrors to move back over into the right lane so I can take the next exit to turn around. “I’ll grab him. Maybe I’ll be able to get an idea of where his heads at with Mina and what he plans to do.”
Max grunts in agreement. “That’d be helpful. Coop say anything about getting me that file? I have an idea of what happened, but I don’t want to make any assumptions here.”
“I’ll text him and see if I can pick it up when I grab Danny.”
I roll my eyes when he tells me, “Don’t let that fucker see you’ve got it. I don’t want him to have any hint that Barriers is involved.”
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m not an idiot. Dick.”
He chuckles into the phone. “Debatable. You coming over here today?”
“I was on my way to your place when you called. I’ll head over as soon as I can,” I tell him, then ask, “How’s she seem?”
Max pauses a moment before answering. “Honestly, I don’t know. She didn’t come down from her room last night, and then slipped into the kitchen about half an hour ago. Scared the shit out of me, too. She’s stealthy. Aside from a ‘good morning’ and ‘fine, thank you’ when I asked how she’s feeling, she hasn’t uttered another word.”
Nodding my head to myself, I’m not surprised. She probably feels incredibly out of place there, living with Danny’s best friends and shaky confidence that we won’t tell him. “It’s going to be an adjustment for her, I suppose. Just be your magnanimous self, maybe even try a smile for once.”
Snickering when I hear his low growl, I take the last turn, bringing the station into view. “I smile,” he defends, which makes me grin from ear to ear. That guy struggles to smile the same way my mom struggles to get her two-sizes-too-small jeans on.
“Sure you do, buddy. I’m at the station. I’ll be over soon.” Parking my car, I quickly ask before hanging up the phone, “Oh! Does she need anything? I can swing by the store on my way there.”
“Ethan grabbed her some stuff last night. When you get here, we can see if she’ll make a list of anything else she could use. She’s only got a few changes of clothes at the moment.”
“Got it. I’ll see you soon. I’m going to head inside and talk to Cooper before I grab Danny.” I end the call after he says goodbye and get out of my car, steeling myself for the upcoming encounter. I know it’s going to be difficult to keep my cool around him, so I shake my arms out, gearing up for it.
After finding Coop and answering a few questions he has for me about Mina’s new arrangement and how she’s fairing, I run back outside with her file in hand. I don’t want Danny to see it and ask what it is, so I lift the floor mat in front of the back seat, directly behind where he’ll be sitting. Then I set my bag on top to prevent any shifting around while we’re driving.
Making my way back into the station, I let the receptionist know I’m here to pick up Danny. It’s one of the newer girls whose name I haven’t learned yet. She nods and leads me back to the holding cells, where Danny is waiting, while informing me that everything has been processed for his release.
He stands up as I approach, fighting back a smug smirk when he sees that it’s me here to free him. “Vince… I’m surprised you’re the one who came. Feeling like the asshole you are for cuffing me like a criminal?”
Delivering my own smirk back, I play it off like I think he’s just joking around with me. But I can see his anger simmering behind his eyes. “You wish, fucker. Like I told you yesterday, just doing my job. You ready to get out of here?”
Running my eyes over him, I feel a ridiculous amount of pleasure over how shitty he looks. His eyes are bloodshot like he didn’t sleep all night, and he looks like he could definitely use a shower. The smile he was faking drops, changing into a glare with bared teeth. “Noooo. Obviously, I’ve had a fantastic night here. Was even considering an extended stay. Fuck you, friend. Of course I’m ready to get out of here. Why would you even ask that?”
So, he’s definitely pissed. Awesome. Can’t wait for the drive home.
“Calm down, you smelly fuck. Let’s go.” I ignore the way his eyes are locked on me and nod at the guard to unlock the door.
Grabbing a plastic bag that was sitting near his feet, he stomps out of the cell like a petulant child. I expect him to make a scene as we make our way through the building, but he keeps his mouth shut until we make it through the front door.
“Where are you parked?” he snaps out his question like I’m inconveniencing him.
Holding up my key fob, I press a button to make my vehicle beep, letting Danny know what direction to walk in. He grits his teeth as he fights off whatever shit he wants to spew at me. I simply raise a brow in question, daring him to say something.
He loses the tenuous hold he had on his temper. “Why the fuck are you standing there like a cocky bastard after arresting your best fucking friend? How could you do that to me over those bitch’s lies? You think you’re hot shit just because you’re a cop here now? ‘Cuz I’ve got news for you, you’re no-” He’s practically screaming by the time I cut him off.
“Stop,” I order, then take a step toward him. “You need to calm yourself down right now and think about who you’re getting angry at. I did my fucking job. We got a call, and I was the one to take it. I can’t just tell them, ‘you know what guys, I don’t think I’m gonna bring him in because, you know, he’s my friend and all’. Whatever the hell happened between you and your wife was news to me.”
Turning away from him, I head toward my car and pray that he’ll decide to find a different way home. Unfortunately, I’m not that lucky because his footsteps are fast approaching me. “Fucking goddamnit! This is just all so fucked up. You gotta believe me, man. The shit she’s saying is all bullshit. I didn’t lay a fucking finger on that cunt.”
Stopping, I stare at him and do my best to hold back my look of incredulity. “If you didn’t touch her, then how the hell did she end up looking like that?”
He jerks his head back, then narrows his eyes at me. “You saw her?”
“Of course I fucking saw her. I work here, dumbass.”
Danny growls in frustration, running his hands through his disheveled hair. “Look, I don’t know what happened to her! Maybe she fell or something; she’s clumsy as fuck. Who knows? But I swear to you, I didn’t fucking hit her. Whenever she gets mad at me, she spins these stories to make me feel bad, or to convince me to come back home. I’ll talk to her about it and we’ll work it all out.” He flashes a smile at me, like all the angry energy he was holding back was never there to begin with. “It always does.”
Christ, he really is a fucking psycho.
“Well, if what you say is true, then I’m sure it won’t take long to clear up in the investigation.” I open the driver’s door and get in, turning my key to get the air flowing. I feel overheated from all the shit he’s trying to convince me to believe, and the stress of keeping up a pretense that I don’t mind being with him.
“What do you mean, if what I say is true? Of course it is! I wouldn’t lie to you,” he says nonchalantly, tossing his bag into the back. After settling into his seat, he turns his head to stare at my profile as I guide us out of the lot. “You assigned to this? Since you were the arresting officer and all?” When he says arresting officer, he does finger quotes like he doesn’t believe I’m actually a cop.
I grind my teeth in irritation but force a smile onto my face. “Nope. I doubt they will, since I know you. It’d be a conflict, I’m sure.”
“Damn. I wish they would. It’d make my life easier. Dad got me a lawyer who’s real fucking good. I should sue her for slander. Wonder how that works, suing a spouse? I’ll have to ask.” He taps his fingers on his thigh like a nervous twitch, or maybe he just can’t stay still. I momentarily consider the possibility that he’s on drugs, but decide not to ask. They’ll have drug tested him, so we’ll know soon enough. “So, if you’re not investigating this, then I suppose you don’t know where they set her up at?”
Damn, he didn’t take long to ask. I decide to play dumb.
“She’s not at home?” I feign surprise.
Scoffing, he rolls his eyes. “Bitch was relocated or something. Plus, and can you believe this shit? They gave her a restraining order against me! Her goddamn husband! A five-minute conversation with her would save a ton of people a whole lot of time and money, you know?”
“Maybe,” I mumble. This isn’t as easy as I thought it’d be, pretending to act like he’s my friend. That I don’t want to slam my fist into his face, duplicating every single bruise he put on hers.
I’m so thankful that the rest of our drive is filled with his ramblings about how unfair he was treated since I arrested him. Or that I need to do something about the way things are run. He even went as far as suggesting I make a suggestion box for people who’ve been detained.
Silently, I blow out a breath in relief that we’ve arrived at his house. Danny reaches back to pull his bag into his lap, then smacks me on the shoulder like we’re totally fine now. “Thanks for grabbing me, man.”
Nodding, I force a smile. “Sure thing. Anytime.”
“I’ll call you if I need anything,” he adds as he opens the door to get out. Before he shuts it behind him, he puts his hand on the roof and leans down to look at me. “Do me a favor, though.”
Tightening my fingers on the steering wheel, I ask, “Whatcha need?”
His pristine teeth flash as he gives me the widest smile he can muster. “Find out where she’s at for me, would ya?”
Not in a million years, you abusive waste of space.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” I say instead.
Smacking his hand on top of my car, he slams the door shut and waves goodbye over his shoulder as he bounds up his front steps.
Backing out of the driveway, I pull over once I’m a block away. I dial Max’s cell. When I hear it pick up, I don’t give him a chance to say anything before I start speaking.
“He’s going to come after her. I’ve got the file. I’ll be there in thirty.”
Chapter 16
Questions
Ethan
Max is going to be pissed at me, but I can’t stop myself from watching her.
There’s a deep-seated need to keep an eye on her to ensure she stays safe. I’m not oblivious. I know it stems from guilt over the years of always filling a bystander role. That’s something I’ll have to deal with later.
Right now, I’m feeling a stab of regret with every look she shoots in my direction. I’m sitting on a stool in the kitchen corner as she moves around the space like it’s one where she feels the most comfortable in.
I came in from my morning workout to find her sitting in the breakfast nook, huddled over a bowl of cereal. Walt is sitting next to her with his head tilted back, waiting for her attention. The moment she sensed my presence, she stopped eating and cleared her place. Since then, she’s been flitting around the kitchen, opening drawers and cupboards to look inside before shutting them a moment later. It took me a few minutes to figure out what she was doing. When I realized she was cataloging where everything was located and what Max keeps on stock in the house, my confusion turned into curiosity.
A few words from me would be the kindest thing I could do right now to ease her growing tension. However, I’m at a loss for what to say. After watching her for over half an hour, I realize I’m making this weird for the both of us.
Clearing my throat to gain her attention, she abruptly halts her movements to look at me.
“What are you doing?” I try to keep my voice soft so she knows I’m not being aggressive. The rasp of my voice ruins that, and she flinches at my question.
“Making a plan for lunch.”
“Why?”
“It’s 11:30,” she tells me, like that’s all the answer that’s required and I should have known.
Tilting my head to the side, I study her. “You don’t need to do that.” I certainly don’t want her to feel like she owes us for helping her. If anything, we owe her for not seeing Danny for who he really was all these years.
“…W-what? What am I supposed to be doing, then?” Her gaze looks around the kitchen, looking for something else that she should do instead.
“Not serving us,” I grunt out.
She swallows nervously, clearly at a loss for words. I realize that this is the role she’s been taught to fill, the stay-at-home wife who cooks and cleans. Then she asks, “Can I make it anyway?”
I hesitate. It’s important that she knows she has no obligation to work for her room and board here, but it’s also obvious that she needs to do something. Since I have no suggestions to offer instead, I give her a slight nod. “If you’d like.”
Her body relaxes when she gains my permission, and I bite my tongue to take it back. This woman doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do a fucking thing, and already she’s seeking it. Seeking approval.
I’m out of my depth, so I stay silent as I continue to watch her. My mind whirling with questions I want to ask her.
Why did she marry Danny? What did he do to make her think she had to ask permission to perform mundane tasks? Why didn’t her parents teach her how to stand up for herself? Was the other night the first time Danny ever put his hands on her?
Apparently, I have no filter, because my next question comes rushing out. “Why didn’t you leave?”
She pauses from slicing leftover steak from last night’s dinner. Both she and Walter turn their heads to eye me like I’m an intruder in the kitchen. “Umm…” Her answer tells me she doesn’t understand exactly what I’m asking, so I clarify.
“Danny. Why didn’t you leave him earlier?”
She looks at the steak, and frowns down at it, considering my question. “He was my husband.”
Her response pisses me off because it shouldn’t matter. If someone is hurting you, there’s no reason to stick around.
“I assume that wasn’t the first time he put his hands on you. Why didn’t you try to leave the first time he did it?” I know my question is coming off as accusatory. It’s not my intention, I’m just trying to understand why she would have stayed with him.
Mina sets the knife next to the half-sliced steak and attempts to look at me, but after a moment, she looks away. Playing with the end of her braid, she tells me, “I-I did try… a couple of times. I went to the police to ask them for help, but they said that if I left, I would make a big mess of it for lawyers. I s-spoke with one, a lawyer I mean, but without funds, he couldn’t help me. I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“You and Danny are struggling financially?” I ask her, wondering why she wouldn’t have any money to seek legal advice. Danny has a good job, making more than he probably deserves with his father.
She looks embarrassed when she says, “I don’t think so. The accounts are in his name, so I wasn’t able to sign the checks.”
Jesus. Who gets married and doesn’t allow one partner access to their money? That’s some 1950s shit right there.
“You couldn’t work? They’d have to write you a check, which means you would need to have your name on an account to deposit the funds.”
Her demeanor shrinks away from me as I continue to ask questions. Before I can apologize for asking and let her know she doesn’t have to tell me if she doesn’t want to, she answers. “I did have a job… in the beginning. But Danny… he thought it best I stay at home when he bought the house. He said that running the house is a full-time job, and it better suited me.”
“What changed then? Why are you here now?” I wince when I hear how that came out. Her face completely falls with my apparent annoyance that she’s staying with Max. Holding up a hand, I stop her from speaking. “That came out wrong. I’m trying to ask ‘why now’? What gave you the strength to run from him this time?”
Vincent
I had every intention of going over to Max’s place last night, but I ended up having to stay late for my shift and finish up some reports. Thankfully, Ethan sent me a text to let me know they settled her in.
He added that she hadn’t come down for dinner and when they checked on her; she was deep into a recovery sleep from the events of the previous night. I’m sure she’ll be sleeping a lot over the next few days. Which is convenient, since she won’t need to go anywhere when Danny gets released.
Because he is being released within the next twenty-four hours, and I just know I’ll be hearing from him. To keep the perception that we know nothing about where she’s at, I accept that I’ll have to communicate with him at some point.
Today is my day off, so I take a quick shower and inhale some cereal before throwing a bag together. I have no idea what kind of condition or emotional state Mina is in today, but I want to be prepared to hang out over there in case they need some help. Plus, we need to discuss what our next move is going to be.
I’m barely out of my neighborhood when my phone rings. Seeing the incoming call is from Max, I answer through my Bluetooth.
“Hey Max, what’s going on?” I ask him, flipping my turn signal to change lanes for the on-ramp to the highway.
“Danny called,” he says, whispering into the phone.
My hands tighten on the steering wheel. “What’d he say? And why are you whispering?”
“I’m in the living room. Mina just came down and is in the kitchen. I didn’t want to worry her. Vince, he asked me to come pick him up. He’s getting released on bail.”
“Goddamnit,” I mutter under my breath. I figured he’d be getting out, but I didn’t think it’d be less than a day. We were supposed to have a little more time.
There’s noise through the phone like a shutting door. His voice grows louder as he continues, presumably moving to a different area in the house. “I told him I couldn’t come to pick him up because I was in the middle of something for work, so he asked if I’d get you or Ethan over there for him.”
Growling softly to myself and irritated that I have to face this fucker, I check my mirrors to move back over into the right lane so I can take the next exit to turn around. “I’ll grab him. Maybe I’ll be able to get an idea of where his heads at with Mina and what he plans to do.”
Max grunts in agreement. “That’d be helpful. Coop say anything about getting me that file? I have an idea of what happened, but I don’t want to make any assumptions here.”
“I’ll text him and see if I can pick it up when I grab Danny.”
I roll my eyes when he tells me, “Don’t let that fucker see you’ve got it. I don’t want him to have any hint that Barriers is involved.”
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m not an idiot. Dick.”
He chuckles into the phone. “Debatable. You coming over here today?”
“I was on my way to your place when you called. I’ll head over as soon as I can,” I tell him, then ask, “How’s she seem?”
Max pauses a moment before answering. “Honestly, I don’t know. She didn’t come down from her room last night, and then slipped into the kitchen about half an hour ago. Scared the shit out of me, too. She’s stealthy. Aside from a ‘good morning’ and ‘fine, thank you’ when I asked how she’s feeling, she hasn’t uttered another word.”
Nodding my head to myself, I’m not surprised. She probably feels incredibly out of place there, living with Danny’s best friends and shaky confidence that we won’t tell him. “It’s going to be an adjustment for her, I suppose. Just be your magnanimous self, maybe even try a smile for once.”
Snickering when I hear his low growl, I take the last turn, bringing the station into view. “I smile,” he defends, which makes me grin from ear to ear. That guy struggles to smile the same way my mom struggles to get her two-sizes-too-small jeans on.
“Sure you do, buddy. I’m at the station. I’ll be over soon.” Parking my car, I quickly ask before hanging up the phone, “Oh! Does she need anything? I can swing by the store on my way there.”
“Ethan grabbed her some stuff last night. When you get here, we can see if she’ll make a list of anything else she could use. She’s only got a few changes of clothes at the moment.”
“Got it. I’ll see you soon. I’m going to head inside and talk to Cooper before I grab Danny.” I end the call after he says goodbye and get out of my car, steeling myself for the upcoming encounter. I know it’s going to be difficult to keep my cool around him, so I shake my arms out, gearing up for it.
After finding Coop and answering a few questions he has for me about Mina’s new arrangement and how she’s fairing, I run back outside with her file in hand. I don’t want Danny to see it and ask what it is, so I lift the floor mat in front of the back seat, directly behind where he’ll be sitting. Then I set my bag on top to prevent any shifting around while we’re driving.
Making my way back into the station, I let the receptionist know I’m here to pick up Danny. It’s one of the newer girls whose name I haven’t learned yet. She nods and leads me back to the holding cells, where Danny is waiting, while informing me that everything has been processed for his release.
He stands up as I approach, fighting back a smug smirk when he sees that it’s me here to free him. “Vince… I’m surprised you’re the one who came. Feeling like the asshole you are for cuffing me like a criminal?”
Delivering my own smirk back, I play it off like I think he’s just joking around with me. But I can see his anger simmering behind his eyes. “You wish, fucker. Like I told you yesterday, just doing my job. You ready to get out of here?”
Running my eyes over him, I feel a ridiculous amount of pleasure over how shitty he looks. His eyes are bloodshot like he didn’t sleep all night, and he looks like he could definitely use a shower. The smile he was faking drops, changing into a glare with bared teeth. “Noooo. Obviously, I’ve had a fantastic night here. Was even considering an extended stay. Fuck you, friend. Of course I’m ready to get out of here. Why would you even ask that?”
So, he’s definitely pissed. Awesome. Can’t wait for the drive home.
“Calm down, you smelly fuck. Let’s go.” I ignore the way his eyes are locked on me and nod at the guard to unlock the door.
Grabbing a plastic bag that was sitting near his feet, he stomps out of the cell like a petulant child. I expect him to make a scene as we make our way through the building, but he keeps his mouth shut until we make it through the front door.
“Where are you parked?” he snaps out his question like I’m inconveniencing him.
Holding up my key fob, I press a button to make my vehicle beep, letting Danny know what direction to walk in. He grits his teeth as he fights off whatever shit he wants to spew at me. I simply raise a brow in question, daring him to say something.
He loses the tenuous hold he had on his temper. “Why the fuck are you standing there like a cocky bastard after arresting your best fucking friend? How could you do that to me over those bitch’s lies? You think you’re hot shit just because you’re a cop here now? ‘Cuz I’ve got news for you, you’re no-” He’s practically screaming by the time I cut him off.
“Stop,” I order, then take a step toward him. “You need to calm yourself down right now and think about who you’re getting angry at. I did my fucking job. We got a call, and I was the one to take it. I can’t just tell them, ‘you know what guys, I don’t think I’m gonna bring him in because, you know, he’s my friend and all’. Whatever the hell happened between you and your wife was news to me.”
Turning away from him, I head toward my car and pray that he’ll decide to find a different way home. Unfortunately, I’m not that lucky because his footsteps are fast approaching me. “Fucking goddamnit! This is just all so fucked up. You gotta believe me, man. The shit she’s saying is all bullshit. I didn’t lay a fucking finger on that cunt.”
Stopping, I stare at him and do my best to hold back my look of incredulity. “If you didn’t touch her, then how the hell did she end up looking like that?”
He jerks his head back, then narrows his eyes at me. “You saw her?”
“Of course I fucking saw her. I work here, dumbass.”
Danny growls in frustration, running his hands through his disheveled hair. “Look, I don’t know what happened to her! Maybe she fell or something; she’s clumsy as fuck. Who knows? But I swear to you, I didn’t fucking hit her. Whenever she gets mad at me, she spins these stories to make me feel bad, or to convince me to come back home. I’ll talk to her about it and we’ll work it all out.” He flashes a smile at me, like all the angry energy he was holding back was never there to begin with. “It always does.”
Christ, he really is a fucking psycho.
“Well, if what you say is true, then I’m sure it won’t take long to clear up in the investigation.” I open the driver’s door and get in, turning my key to get the air flowing. I feel overheated from all the shit he’s trying to convince me to believe, and the stress of keeping up a pretense that I don’t mind being with him.
“What do you mean, if what I say is true? Of course it is! I wouldn’t lie to you,” he says nonchalantly, tossing his bag into the back. After settling into his seat, he turns his head to stare at my profile as I guide us out of the lot. “You assigned to this? Since you were the arresting officer and all?” When he says arresting officer, he does finger quotes like he doesn’t believe I’m actually a cop.
I grind my teeth in irritation but force a smile onto my face. “Nope. I doubt they will, since I know you. It’d be a conflict, I’m sure.”
“Damn. I wish they would. It’d make my life easier. Dad got me a lawyer who’s real fucking good. I should sue her for slander. Wonder how that works, suing a spouse? I’ll have to ask.” He taps his fingers on his thigh like a nervous twitch, or maybe he just can’t stay still. I momentarily consider the possibility that he’s on drugs, but decide not to ask. They’ll have drug tested him, so we’ll know soon enough. “So, if you’re not investigating this, then I suppose you don’t know where they set her up at?”
Damn, he didn’t take long to ask. I decide to play dumb.
“She’s not at home?” I feign surprise.
Scoffing, he rolls his eyes. “Bitch was relocated or something. Plus, and can you believe this shit? They gave her a restraining order against me! Her goddamn husband! A five-minute conversation with her would save a ton of people a whole lot of time and money, you know?”
“Maybe,” I mumble. This isn’t as easy as I thought it’d be, pretending to act like he’s my friend. That I don’t want to slam my fist into his face, duplicating every single bruise he put on hers.
I’m so thankful that the rest of our drive is filled with his ramblings about how unfair he was treated since I arrested him. Or that I need to do something about the way things are run. He even went as far as suggesting I make a suggestion box for people who’ve been detained.
Silently, I blow out a breath in relief that we’ve arrived at his house. Danny reaches back to pull his bag into his lap, then smacks me on the shoulder like we’re totally fine now. “Thanks for grabbing me, man.”
Nodding, I force a smile. “Sure thing. Anytime.”
“I’ll call you if I need anything,” he adds as he opens the door to get out. Before he shuts it behind him, he puts his hand on the roof and leans down to look at me. “Do me a favor, though.”
Tightening my fingers on the steering wheel, I ask, “Whatcha need?”
His pristine teeth flash as he gives me the widest smile he can muster. “Find out where she’s at for me, would ya?”
Not in a million years, you abusive waste of space.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” I say instead.
Smacking his hand on top of my car, he slams the door shut and waves goodbye over his shoulder as he bounds up his front steps.
Backing out of the driveway, I pull over once I’m a block away. I dial Max’s cell. When I hear it pick up, I don’t give him a chance to say anything before I start speaking.
“He’s going to come after her. I’ve got the file. I’ll be there in thirty.”
Chapter 16
Questions
Ethan
Max is going to be pissed at me, but I can’t stop myself from watching her.
There’s a deep-seated need to keep an eye on her to ensure she stays safe. I’m not oblivious. I know it stems from guilt over the years of always filling a bystander role. That’s something I’ll have to deal with later.
Right now, I’m feeling a stab of regret with every look she shoots in my direction. I’m sitting on a stool in the kitchen corner as she moves around the space like it’s one where she feels the most comfortable in.
I came in from my morning workout to find her sitting in the breakfast nook, huddled over a bowl of cereal. Walt is sitting next to her with his head tilted back, waiting for her attention. The moment she sensed my presence, she stopped eating and cleared her place. Since then, she’s been flitting around the kitchen, opening drawers and cupboards to look inside before shutting them a moment later. It took me a few minutes to figure out what she was doing. When I realized she was cataloging where everything was located and what Max keeps on stock in the house, my confusion turned into curiosity.
A few words from me would be the kindest thing I could do right now to ease her growing tension. However, I’m at a loss for what to say. After watching her for over half an hour, I realize I’m making this weird for the both of us.
Clearing my throat to gain her attention, she abruptly halts her movements to look at me.
“What are you doing?” I try to keep my voice soft so she knows I’m not being aggressive. The rasp of my voice ruins that, and she flinches at my question.
“Making a plan for lunch.”
“Why?”
“It’s 11:30,” she tells me, like that’s all the answer that’s required and I should have known.
Tilting my head to the side, I study her. “You don’t need to do that.” I certainly don’t want her to feel like she owes us for helping her. If anything, we owe her for not seeing Danny for who he really was all these years.
“…W-what? What am I supposed to be doing, then?” Her gaze looks around the kitchen, looking for something else that she should do instead.
“Not serving us,” I grunt out.
She swallows nervously, clearly at a loss for words. I realize that this is the role she’s been taught to fill, the stay-at-home wife who cooks and cleans. Then she asks, “Can I make it anyway?”
I hesitate. It’s important that she knows she has no obligation to work for her room and board here, but it’s also obvious that she needs to do something. Since I have no suggestions to offer instead, I give her a slight nod. “If you’d like.”
Her body relaxes when she gains my permission, and I bite my tongue to take it back. This woman doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do a fucking thing, and already she’s seeking it. Seeking approval.
I’m out of my depth, so I stay silent as I continue to watch her. My mind whirling with questions I want to ask her.
Why did she marry Danny? What did he do to make her think she had to ask permission to perform mundane tasks? Why didn’t her parents teach her how to stand up for herself? Was the other night the first time Danny ever put his hands on her?
Apparently, I have no filter, because my next question comes rushing out. “Why didn’t you leave?”
She pauses from slicing leftover steak from last night’s dinner. Both she and Walter turn their heads to eye me like I’m an intruder in the kitchen. “Umm…” Her answer tells me she doesn’t understand exactly what I’m asking, so I clarify.
“Danny. Why didn’t you leave him earlier?”
She looks at the steak, and frowns down at it, considering my question. “He was my husband.”
Her response pisses me off because it shouldn’t matter. If someone is hurting you, there’s no reason to stick around.
“I assume that wasn’t the first time he put his hands on you. Why didn’t you try to leave the first time he did it?” I know my question is coming off as accusatory. It’s not my intention, I’m just trying to understand why she would have stayed with him.
Mina sets the knife next to the half-sliced steak and attempts to look at me, but after a moment, she looks away. Playing with the end of her braid, she tells me, “I-I did try… a couple of times. I went to the police to ask them for help, but they said that if I left, I would make a big mess of it for lawyers. I s-spoke with one, a lawyer I mean, but without funds, he couldn’t help me. I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“You and Danny are struggling financially?” I ask her, wondering why she wouldn’t have any money to seek legal advice. Danny has a good job, making more than he probably deserves with his father.
She looks embarrassed when she says, “I don’t think so. The accounts are in his name, so I wasn’t able to sign the checks.”
Jesus. Who gets married and doesn’t allow one partner access to their money? That’s some 1950s shit right there.
“You couldn’t work? They’d have to write you a check, which means you would need to have your name on an account to deposit the funds.”
Her demeanor shrinks away from me as I continue to ask questions. Before I can apologize for asking and let her know she doesn’t have to tell me if she doesn’t want to, she answers. “I did have a job… in the beginning. But Danny… he thought it best I stay at home when he bought the house. He said that running the house is a full-time job, and it better suited me.”
“What changed then? Why are you here now?” I wince when I hear how that came out. Her face completely falls with my apparent annoyance that she’s staying with Max. Holding up a hand, I stop her from speaking. “That came out wrong. I’m trying to ask ‘why now’? What gave you the strength to run from him this time?”
