down my face.
“I don’t know, baby.” It’s all he says, making it clear to me that this is getting to him as much as it is getting to me. He holds me wordlessly until I hear footsteps approaching us. When I look up, it’s Detective Marks.
“Hey detective! Let me guess, I took a shot at myself?” I hear the disdain in Hunter’s voice. He turns toward the detective and they are toe to toe.
“Mr. Stone, I suggest you back down.” His voice is monotone and weirdly calm.
“Maybe if you would have backed off of me and actually looked for this asshole, it wouldn’t have gotten this far.” Hunter towers over Detective Marks by almost a foot, and he is completely in his face right now.
“Mr. Stone, if you do not calm down I will have you arrested for obstruction of justice. I need to question Miss Baker and you are in the way.” Hearing this, I move into action. The last thing I need right now is for Hunter to get arrested. I squeeze in front of Hunter, moving him back a few steps and turn toward the detective. My body relaxes against Hunter’s, begging him to calm down. I need his support to get through this questioning.
“Miss Baker, can you tell me what happened?” His question is addressed to me but his eyes are still on Hunter.
“We were walking into the building. I had an interview here. When we were about halfway, I heard a loud bang. Hunter pulled me on the ground beneath him to protect me, then he picked me up and ran into the building.”
His hands reach out and grabs my wrist. “These bruises, where did they come from?” His thumb is rubbing circles on my wrist where there is a large purple bruise.
“I didn’t have that before. It must have happened when I fell to the ground.”
“Hmm and this one too?” His other hand grabs my free wrist. He is now holding both of them, his thumbs still circling my skin, his eyes still on Hunter.
“You know if something else is going on, you can tell me.” His eyes narrow at Hunter and I realize what he is implying and before I can say anything Hunter moves me behind him.
It all happens so fast that I can’t stop it. Hunter raises his fist, burying it in the detective’s face. Officers run over, forcing him to the ground and fastening handcuffs around his wrists.
“Hunter!” I yell for him. I don’t know what else to do. They are leading him toward the police car outside and he doesn’t look back, doesn’t acknowledge that I have called him. I don’t even care that I’m out in the open, that I’m a target. I need to see him. Does he want me to call someone? I just want him to know I’m here for him. I run to the car, yelling his name but his eyes won’t meet mine. His stare is cold and unwavering. Why is he ignoring me? “Hunter!” I plead for him to look my way. As the car drives away, I’m left confused and hurt by his actions.
What do I do? That’s when I remember him saying his friend Ryan was a cop. Not that I have any of their numbers. I do know where Brian’s house is. I head toward my car and Joe, who is being questioned by police. “Joe, we need to leave.” I move to get into the car when someone grabs my wrist. I turn to see Detective Marks.
“Miss Baker, I’m not through with you.” His eyes scan my body and I want nothing more than to slap him. He deliberately provoked Hunter.
I rip my wrist from his hand. “I am most certainly done with you, detective. You will have to ask me any other questions at a later time. If you touch me one more time without my consent, I’ll sue you for everything you’re worth.” I climb into the car and slam the door in his face.
As I guide Joe to Brian’s house, I pray that someone is home. I also analyze everything that happened, trying to figure out what was up with Hunter. When we pull up to the house, I see a car in the driveway and breathe a sigh of relief.
Jules answers my knock with a surprised expression. “Hey girl, what’s up? Where’s your not so better half?”
“In jail…” I trail off.
“Good Lord. Come in.” I follow her inside, explaining everything that happened, trying not