I focused with all my might and managed to put up a mental brick wall. He flinched in shock, probably because I’d never been able to block him before. Leo, Tara, and Erica were watching us, clearly uncomfortable with our silent exchange. Leo seemed to pick up on my train of thought and said, “Karli, we can discuss this later.”
“Discuss what later?” Vance shouted. “What the hell are you two hiding?”
“Nothing,” Leo and I said in unison.
Vance stood there in stony silence. Erica said, “Okay, well now that that’s settled, can we please get the hell out of here?” She shivered. “I’ve had more than enough of this place.”
Vance replied, “Yes, of course. We can take your statements after you’ve had some rest.” He glanced at Leo. “It’s an hour before sunrise. Leo, do you think you have time to give Erica a lift? I’m going to take Karli home with me after I drop Tara off at the station.”
Leo turned towards me. “Is that okay with you?”
“No, actually it’s not,” I replied. I narrowed my eyes at Vance. “I’d prefer that you take Erica home, Vance. I’d feel much safer at Leo’s place for the time being.” I looked up at Leo expectantly. “Leo, would you mind if I stayed with you for a while?”
“No, of course not,” he said. Vance and Erica both stood with their mouths open in shock. Tara looked like she wanted to vaporize into the ether just to get the hell out of the room.
Vance charged forward and reached me in two long strides. He braced his hands on my shoulders, making me shudder. “Karli, what the hell are you doing?”
I shrugged his hands away. “Please don’t touch me.” I looked away quickly because tears were starting to threaten my eyes again.
“Karli, what’s---”
Leo stepped in between us, obviously sensing my pending outburst. “Vance, Karli is shaken up. I think you would be wise to respect her wishes and let us leave quietly. I will call you later in the morning and we can discuss our next course of action where Maria is concerned.”
I felt him trying to eradicate the wall I had built but I didn’t acknowledge it. I took Leo by the hand as he led me towards the open door. Before walking outside, I glanced over my shoulder at Erica. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Yeah, I just need some time alone.”
“I’ll call you later okay, Eri?”
“Uh huh.” She hung her head low and walked out with the two detectives at her side.
********
I stayed at Leo’s for two days before I was ready to face Vance. I went through countless mood changes; from angry, to sad, then hopeless, and onto my current state: resolved. I’d resolved to not let this break me. Sure, I could wallow in my self-pity and it would even be justified to most. But not me. I knew that deep down, if I looked hard enough, there was a stronger version of myself. Someone who could face the man that had eviscerated my heart and not shed a single tear. Someone who wouldn’t let this ruin her life.
Leo asked me many times why I was so upset, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak the words aloud. He was understanding and gave me my space without pushing the issue further. That’s one of the things I appreciate about him. He can be overbearing sometimes, but he’s always careful not to suffocate me. Vance called Leo incessantly since my phone was still sitting in my apartment. With Leo acting as my proxy on the phone, I agreed to meet Vance that night in the club.
As he lifted the hatch leading to his office, Leo asked, “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
I grabbed the hand he was offering and stepped into the room. As I lowered the hatch I replied, “No, I’m not sure. But I have to get this over with.”
He bent over to replace the rug and pulled out a chair for me. “Do you want me to stay?”
I shook my head. “No, Leo. I need to do this on my own.”
He cupped my face with his hands and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be close by if you need me.”
“Thanks, Leo.”
Leo opened the door leading to the hallway right as Vance was approaching. He glared at Leo while saying, “Would you mind giving us some privacy?”
Leo returned the frosty expression. “I will leave, but only because Karli has requested it.” He gave me a sad smile. “Just call me if you need me, my love.”
I gulped. “I will.”
Vance closed the door and looked towards the security monitors. “Why did you want to meet here? Can’t we go somewhere a little less distracting?”
I grabbed the remote from Leo’s desk and turned the monitors off. “We can talk here or we don’t talk at all.”