Tank and Blaine stood in the living room. They turned as he came through the door, their faces masks of anger and empathy. Reba and Serena flanked Chloe, who was talking on the phone with tears streaming down her cheeks. A long red gash ran across her upper lip, and she was shaking as she lifted tortured eyes to his and said, “Yes, I understand,” in a pained voice, then ended the call.
Justin’s gut seized. He felt his heart shattering as he closed the distance between them and gathered her in his arms. Sobs burst from her lungs, and he held her tighter, one hand on the back of her head, the other arm belted around her, wishing he could tuck her under his skin to protect her. “I’ve got you, baby. I’m so sorry.” He shifted his gaze to Reba and said, “Give us a minute?”
Reba ushered everyone out of the house, taking Sampson with them.
“I’m here. You’re safe now.” He kissed her forehead, feeling a crushing weight in his chest. “I love you, baby. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m so fucking sorry.”
She fisted her hands in his shirt, clinging to him until her sobs eased. “Justin…” she said shakily against his chest.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’m here.” She drew back, and her sad eyes slayed him anew. He wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb and said, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
She caught his bloodstained hand, her eyes lingering on it, anger and fear joining the sadness in them. She shook her head, stumbling back, her voice escalating. “What did you do? That was my office on the phone. I’ve been suspended. Alan filed sexual harassment allegations against me. He said you found out I was hitting on him and beat him up, and now I’m suspended from a job I would have given my life for before all this happened, and Blaine said the cops are looking for you, and—” She gasped for air, sobs engulfing her again.
“I should have fucking killed him!” Anger roared through him. “He can’t do this, Chloe. We’ll fix it. I promise you, this is not the end.”
“Fix it?” she hollered. “You’ll be in jail, Justin! I told you I would report what he did and that I needed you. I just needed to get my head on straight first.” Her shoulders rounded forward, heaving with sobs. “Why didn’t I see what you saw about him? I know the signs,” she cried. “I should have seen them. Why did this…? I’m so…Our lives are ruined.”
He drew her into his arms. She tried to twist away, but he held her tighter. “Our lives are not ruined, Chloe. You didn’t see who he was because he’s a fucking snake and didn’t want you to see it.”
“Why did you go after him?” she said accusingly.
“Because he deserved it. Because I love you, and when you love someone, you don’t let anyone hurt them. I couldn’t protect my mother, and I’ll be damned if I’d let that happen to you.”
Her face softened—crumpled. “Blaine said you could be charged with assault and battery and get serious jail time. That’s my fault!”
He took her by the shoulders, staring into her eyes, and said, “None of this is your fault. That asshole attacked you!”
“But you ruined your life because of me. You could go to jail, Justin. You don’t belong in jail. You’re not your father.”
“Fuck.” He stepped away, hands fisting. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about jail, Chloe. He deserved everything he got and more.”
“This is all so crazy.” She gasped between sobs. “I’ll never work with the elderly again with sexual assault charges against me. I told HR what happened, and they’re suspending him while they investigate, but it’s my word against his. I’m supposed to go in for an interview tomorrow. How am I going to do that? I can’t go back in there right now. I don’t know if I will ever be able to face everyone again.”
Her knees buckled and she reached for the couch, but he caught her around the waist, sweeping her into his arms. The front door opened, and Preacher walked in with Conroy, Reba, Serena, and Cuffs. Reba held Serena, who was crying.
Cuffs was in uniform, his face dead serious as he stepped forward, the message in his eyes—I’ve got to take you in—clear.
Chloe made a mewling sound, holding Justin tighter, and his gut plummeted. He’d known this moment would come, but that