at war. Jack punched the guy in the face, blood splattering across his white button-down shirt. A real fear that Jack was going to kill the guy shook Fitz down to his core.
“Jack!”
Jack stilled, fist raised in the air. He let out a heavy breath, then released Clint, the man falling to the floor with a groan. Jack hurried over to Fitz and reached down to help him, but stopped short when Fitz flinched and recoiled from him.
“Hey, I’m not going to hurt you. I would never…” Jack followed Fitz’s gaze to the man writhing on the floor before moving his attention back to Fitz, his silvery gray eyes filled with hurt. “I would never hurt you, Fitz. I’m sorry I scared you.”
“Call the police” was all Fitz could manage.
“They’re already on their way. I called them when I found Saint on the floor in the garage.”
Fitz stared at him. “What? Is he okay? Oh my God.”
“He’s going to be okay. Someone knocked him out with chloroform. Found the rag on the floor next to him. Why was he out there? How’d that guy get in?”
Fitz tried to make sense of all the questions. “Um, the lights went out in the salon room, and Saint went to check the fuse box. He wanted me to call the police if he wasn’t back in five minutes, but then Clint showed up.” He held his hand out, and Jack helped him stand.
“Who’s Clint?”
Fitz thrust a hand in Clint’s direction. “That’s Clint. He’s the abusive asshole husband of my client, whose hair I was doing tonight. Oh my God, Chloe. Theo. Jack, Theo can’t see his father like that. I know the man doesn’t deserve it, but Theo’s just a little boy. He’s been exposed to enough violence.”
“You… you think you can protect her from me?” Clint scoffed before breaking into a hacking cough. “I’m going to walk. Always do.”
“Not this time you’re not,” Jack spat out. “You’re going to jail, Clint. I’m going to make sure of it.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Someone you’re going to wish you never crossed.” Jack turned back to Fitz. “Why don’t you go see how they’re doing, and I’ll escort Clint outside.”
Fitz looked from Jack to Clint and back. The uncertainty must have shown on his face, because Jack sighed softly.
“Please, trust me.”
With a nod, Fitz left Jack to it, sirens sounding in the distance. He waited until Jack had Clint on his feet and near the front door before he knocked on his bedroom door. “Chloe, it’s me.”
Chloe opened, peeking around him. “Is he gone?”
“Yeah, um, he’s outside with, uh… Jack. The police are going to be here in a minute.”
“Oh my God, Fitz,” Chloe said with a gasp, her hand going to her mouth as she looked him over. “I’m so sorry.” Her face crumpled, and she burst into tears, Theo clutching onto her leg for dear life, his little bottom lip wobbling.
“Shh, it’s okay. Come here.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight and comforting her.
“I don’t know how he knew I was here, or how he found your house.” She sniffed. “I didn’t tell anyone I was here.”
“Do you have somewhere you and Theo can stay tonight?”
Chloe nodded. “My sister. She lives in Jacksonville.”
“Does she know about Clint?”
With a shaky sigh, Chloe pulled back and nodded. “She’s been wanting me to leave him for years. Offered to move me and Theo in with her, but I was so scared.”
“This is your chance to walk away, Chloe.”
Chloe shook her head. “They’re just going to let him go.”
“Not this time.” Fitz knew Jack would make sure of it. Clint was going to pay for his crimes. “How can I help?”
“You’ve done enough, Fitz. Thank you. Once I talk to the police, I’m going home, packing, and driving to my sister’s.”
“Okay.”
The next several hours were spent with the police as everyone gave their statements. Fitz was adamant he’d locked the door, and when Saint woke up, he’d confirm it since he would have heard Fitz do it. Saint was taken to the hospital, where Ryden and Lucky were waiting for him. Jack had barely been off the phone, and one of those calls had been to King. Fitz had no idea what was being said, but by the end of the night, Jack seemed confident Clint wouldn’t hurt Chloe or Theo again.
It was late when everyone had gone, except for Jack. Fitz stood in his wrecked living room and covered his mouth, his body