“This isn’t even worth it,” he spits as he leans his head against the van. “Her fucking family said I’d get a bonus if I scared her out of the building.”
“Why?” I growl, clenching my fists at my side.
“Something about them wanting her back home. They wanted her scared to live here.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t give a shit what you believe, man.” He spits on the ground, and there’s blood on his lips. “They hired me to scare her back home. That’s all I know. When she wouldn’t move, I trashed her place. But then she just moved in with you.”
“So you decided to kidnap her?”
“They didn’t say she had to stay, just that I had to deliver her home.” He shrugs and then winces at the movement. “I didn’t ask questions, just took the cash.”
Sirens in the distance get louder, and I turn around to see Carrie and the building security running to where we are. At the other end of the alley, I see blue lights and back away from the van. Security takes hold of him, and I see one of them pull out handcuffs as I wrap my arms around Carrie and bury my face in her neck.
“Are you okay?” She nods against my chest, but I can feel the warmth of her tears stinging my shirt.
“I’m here, kitten.” I kiss the top of her head. “You’re safe now.”
Chapter Nine
Carrie
I don’t know what it is about Shy, but whenever he’s close, I’m at my calmest. I should be freaking out, and there for a moment I was, but right now I’m okay. The fear of never seeing Shy again, and not letting him know how I felt was overwhelming.
When Shy left to go check on Jamie’s place, I’d gotten the idea to show him that I’m all in. I know more than anyone that actions speak louder than words. Sadly, I’ve learned that lesson from my own parents, and Shy has too. I was going to prove my love to him, and I thought the best way to do that would be to add my own touches to his place and show him that I didn’t want to go anywhere. I was here to stay, and there wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be. I was going to make his home our home.
“Your mom is calling,” Detective Adams says as he comes to stand over me. He was on the scene quickly after the police were called.
“My mom is calling you?” I shouldn’t be shocked as I stare at the phone he’s offering me. My parents have friends in high places.
My phone had gone off a few times with her calling after everything went down, but I haven't picked up. I don’t know where to even begin with her right now.
I debate taking the phone from him, but the last thing I want is my mom showing up here. It wouldn’t take her much really. She could jump on a private plane and be here in a few hours. Not that she ever does that. Before I get a chance to decide, Shy grabs the phone.
“What?” he says when he puts it to his ear. “I don’t give a shit.” My mouth falls open. How many times have I wanted to say that to my mom?
Celeste gives my hand a squeeze. I’ve been sitting on the couch in Shy’s apartment sandwiched between her and him. Rory got here a few minutes ago and has been talking to a few police officers out in the hallway. His wife is pressed into his side, nodding and agreeing with whatever he’s saying.
Apollo’s out there with them too. His arms are folded over his chest, and he looks as mad as Shy about all this. Each one of them has barked a few times already about the building security. It’s hard to stop random people from coming in when the residents are the ones letting them. Jamie was in tears as she was escorted out not long after they took away the man who grabbed me.
This is all a bit nuts. I’m still having a hard time believing the story the man who grabbed me is trying to sell. I know my mom can do a lot of things to try and get her way, but this is really out there. She’s been pushing for me to come home after graduation, but I’ve been sidestepping it. I have no plans of moving back. She can’t stand that she doesn't have the control over me that she wants.
“Get your lawyer, but you and your husband will stay the fuck away from Carrie,” Shy all but roars into the phone as he comes to his feet. Everyone turns their attention to him. “I don’t give a shit who you are. Carrie is mine. You’ve lost any claim you think you might have had.” He tosses the phone back to Detective Adams, who catches it in the air.