I close my eyes, shutting out the faces who are currently staring at me. “No, but I know who it was. His name’s Alan Martin…”
I’m about to say more, but there’s still so many people around me. Sensing this, the lady who rescued me scoots everyone out of the restroom so I can have some privacy.
I then proceed to tell the dispatcher on the phone all about what’s going on, including Agent Marcos’s name. When the police eventually arrive, we end the call.
I’m shakily led out by one of the officers who I recognize but am not friendly with. He sets me down in a booth away from as many prying eyes as possible as he fires questions at me about what happened. Other people are being questioned in the diner, too, their sympathetic gazes flitting their way to me every now and then.
As the officer jots down everything I’ve said, I notice movement from the corner of my eye.
Michael races in and runs up to me within an instant. I immediately get up, welcoming his arms around me. “Fuck, Ana, are you okay? That fucker didn’t hurt you, did he?” When I shake my head, his relief is palpable.
“He scared the shit out of me, though.”
He strokes my hair, placing a kiss on my cheek. “I know. You’re safe now, and that’s the main thing.” He glances up at the officer still taking notes. “Did anyone here see where he went?”
The officer looks to me then back at Michael. “Unfortunately, no. A couple of people saw him running west on foot, but then he disappeared.”
Michael grits his teeth and shakes his head. “Okay, are we done here?” The officer nods his head, so Michael takes my hand, leading me out of the diner. I say my thanks to everyone along the way, especially the lady who saved me.
Once we reach my car, Michael takes me in for a hug again. “I was out on another call nearby when I heard what was going down on the radio. Fuck, Ana, you must have been so scared.”
Closing my eyes, I grip onto his jacket, snuggling my head into his neck, the familiar smell making me feel safe.
“Thank you for coming.”
Michael pulls away, and we both smile at each other. He places a strand of my hair behind my ear, and my breath hitches when I remember my dream. “No sweat,” he replies, still smiling.
Something in the corner of my eye makes me break away from his stare, and when I chance a look, I find Jake standing fifteen feet away, his face showing nothing but heartache.
21
No one ever embraces the true emotions another feels, but one certainly can catch a glimpse.
That’s me right now as I stare into the abyss of pain Jake wears heart and soul on his sleeve. He wears it with pride because he loves me. I don’t need a clairvoyant or a psychologist to explain his body language.
Because it’s screaming from his every pore.
By his side, his fists clench as he stares at Michael, his pain morphing into a much easier emotion to cope with.
Anger.
Immediately, I step away from Michael, trying to put as much distance between us as possible in an attempt to ease Jake’s suffering. In my mind’s eye, Jake has no reason to suspect foul play, but from a person outside looking in, I can see why Jake witnessing us together like that would be an issue.
Jake marches forward, and it’s only then I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
I stay rooted to the spot, my feet cemented to the ground, wondering what it is he will do next.
It’s only when he scoops me up into his arms that I fully relax, completely letting him engulf me like the beast that he is.
“Oh, Jake,” I whisper, my head burying itself deep into his shoulder as I squeeze his body to me as much as I am able.
For a moment, I am lost, completely forgetting why I am here, why he’s here, and the chaos that’s surrounding me.
At my complete submissiveness, Jake instantly relaxes, hugging me back just as fiercely.
“Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Pulling away, he cups my face with both hands. I shake my head, and he pulls me in again for another hug. It’s like we both can’t let each other go, despite the fact we know we have to. I so want to yell that I’m sorry for what he saw,