Perfect Night (Mason Creek)

The air rushed from his lungs, leaving him stunned. I used my boot to pin his hand to the ground as I reached for my gun.

“Stay where you are, or I’ll break every finger in your hand like I promised you earlier.”

“You bitch,” he spat and started to move.

I applied more of my weight on his hand and pointed my gun at his forehead as he stared up at me.

“A bitch with a gun,” I said.

Tires screeched, but I couldn’t look away or the asshole could get the drop on me. I had to hope the person who’d arrived was Aiden.

“Emma,” Aiden said calmly, like he needed to talk me down and maybe he did.

“This bitch is trying to kill me,” the asshole cried.

Aiden came into view. His gun was raised, but not pointed at me. “You can put it away.”

“Hey stranger,” I said. I winked, and I watched Aiden’s lips twitch as he tried not to smile. I might have rocked on my feet before I removed my foot from his hand.

The asshole cried out. “Now she’s broken my fingers.”

I hadn’t or at least I didn’t think so.

“On your stomach, hands behind your head,” Aiden called out.

“What the fuck man? She did this to me.”

“I have video and audio of the entire thing,” I said, calmly. “He was waiting on me and made threats. When I didn’t back down, he came at me. I put him on his ass and his ego is bruised again. I’ll send you the video,” I offered.

He didn’t answer me. He repeated his instructions to the asshole. The sound of Aiden’s gun cocking got the asshole moving. He rolled on his stomach and did as asked. Aiden had him in handcuffs in seconds. Then just as fast, he hoisted the asshole up and perp walked him to his SUV.

“That ain’t no cop car,” the asshole complained.

Aiden flashed his badge and got him in the back passenger side. He used another pair of cuffs to tether him to the headrest. With no barrier, I couldn’t blame Aiden.

Then, he came back to me. “What happened?”

I gave him the short version of events. “I may have video of the table incident, but I didn’t check. I do have the video of what happened here. And my doorbell will have the audio. We might have been out of view. But there will be audio.”

“Send it to me on my office email.” He handed me a business card.

“Official.”

“Exactly. And go home. Call me when you get there.”

“You don’t need my statement?”

“Not tonight. The video and audio will be enough for now.”

There I went again, wanting to kiss him. I fought against the urge. “Thank you.”

“We’ve talked about this before. You don’t have to thank me.”

“You were sleeping.”

“I was dozing.”

I licked my lips. “Thanks anyway.” I tore myself from his gaze and went to my car.

“Call me,” he said, and I nodded.

Aiden Faulkner would be the death of me if he didn’t kiss me soon.

Chapter 18

Aiden

Emma’s asshole was all too familiar with me.

“Billy Baker,” I said. “Didn’t take you long to violate the terms of your parole.”

Because there was a restraining order against him by a former girlfriend, the Sheriff’s office was notified when he was released from prison.

“That crazy bitch broke my nose and hand.”

“She’s not a bitch and you know as well as I do you provoked her,” I said.

“With words.” Spittle flew in my car as he was practically turning purple with rage.

“I doubt that. She’s sending me video of the entire thing. You may want to rethink your statement.”

“I want a lawyer.”

“You’ll get one after you’re processed.”

I pulled into the lot behind the station. Getting him out would be risky. That’s why I used two cuffs and not one. Good thing I kept them in my SUV for this very reason. I only had to remove one to release him from the car. If he made a run for it, he would still have his hands cuffed together.

“Don’t add to your charges by trying to run,” I warned him before I got out.

I braced myself before opening the back passenger door, but he didn’t do anything yet. I was vulnerable as I leaned in and released the one cuff. I left it hanging as I hauled him out.

“Maybe I’ll tell my lawyer you did this to me, and I’ll get off.”

I unlocked the back door and so far, he was compliant. I waited until we were inside before I said, “You do remember she has video, which would include me. There’s video all over the station,” I lied. “The timestamps will prove along with the video that I had nothing to do with your injuries.”

“That bitch is lying.” He bucked against my hold for the first time.

Wyatt appeared in the hall, and without words exchanged, he helped me get him in the cell.