Page 27 of Her Filthy Grump
I’ve never met Owen, but I know Gavin has two brothers, Owen, and Carson. And if I remember right, Owen works for the police department.
“No.” Layla’s eyes widen as she grabs the officer’s hand.
What the fuck?My heart skips a beat. She’s going to get arrested for assault on an officer.
“Now, Layla.” The officer shakes her head. “You’ve had too much to drink. You can’t drive home.”
“I know, but not Owen. I’ve got a raging headache, and I want to go to bed. If Owen comes, Gavin and Carson will show up, and I won’t get to bed until morning.” She stands and hugs Officer Anthony. “Gracie, I promise I’ll talk to them in the morning.”
Ri-i-ight. I forgot we weren’t in the city. Of course, the officers all know her. I roll back on my heels.
“Fine,” Officer Anthony sighs and pats her back. “But I can’t let you drive.”
“I’ll take her home.” I shove my hands into my pockets before I find myself in the middle of a hug fest.
She cocks an eyebrow to her bangs and scans her eyes up and down my body. “Have you been drinking?”
“One beer.” I glance at my wristwatch. “About three hours ago.”
“Okay.” She shifts her attention to Layla. “Is that fine with you?”
“Yes.” She nods vehemently and turns to me. Her eyes are filled with hero worship or some crap like that, or the streetlight is making her eyes glisten. It’s hard to tell from this angle.
As soon as the officer leaves, Layla jumps up and wraps her arms around my neck. “Thank you.”
Yeah, hero worship. Undeserved hero worship. I stand stiffly, afraid to do anything. This is the huggiest group of people I’ve ever seen. She’s not letting go, and I look like a dumbass. I wrap my arms around her and close my eyes.
The vision of her climbing out of the window right into the asshole’s path is burned into my retinas. I ran as fast as I could, but since I was a good one hundred yards away, I didn’t make it before his fucking hands touched her.
I inhale the scent of her shampoo and cigarette smoke from the bar. I want to drag her to my place and encase her in bubble wrap, so she stops getting into harm’s way. My fingers dig into her back. “You’re taking years off my life.”
She giggles softly against my chest and then sobs. Another chink in my well-constructed armor shatters, causing me to hold her tighter. Her tears coat my T-shirt, leaving it clinging to my skin.
I don’t want to ever let her go, which is precisely why I must. I clear my throat, loosen my embrace, and step back. “I’ll drive you home.”
“Thanks.” She follows me to my pickup.
When we get there, I click the lock open and help her inside. Once she’s safely fastened in, I sprint to the other side as if hell’s hounds are after me. I’ll never get over this night.
I hop inside and twist on the ignition. “Music?”
She shakes her head. “Silence.”
“Okay.”
She closes her eyes and rests her head against the headrest. “Kameron?”
“Yes?” I swallow.
Her eyes slowly open but remain partially covered. “Thank you for rescuing me. George is a nasty person.” Her bottom lip quivers. “I can’t believe he almost raped me.”
“I’m so sorry, darlin’.” I grab her hand. “Is there anything you need me to do? Someone I should call?” Hell, does she have a boyfriend? I didn’t even think to ask.
I’ve been so busy pretending I don’t care about her. But I do. Too much. Too much to leave us both unscathed. One of us is going to be destroyed, and it’s likely to be me if she belongs to someone else.
Stop. You can’t go there. You’re leaving before winter. Don’t destroy both of you.
“No. I’ll get with everyone tomorrow. I want to go home and forget.”