Protecting Her Life: (Rescue Me Book 2) Read online

  "I appreciate you guys coming all the way out here and going all out for my safety and everything, but really I can take care of myself. Besides, outside of the one outburst Kevin had during our altercation, he's never laid a hand on me."

  I was obviously lying, anyone with eyes could see, but I hate being made to feel like a weak, useless woman who needs rescuing.

  "I don't know if you recall Mrs. Clark,” the chief voiced sternly. “You were almost beaten to a bloody pulp, and if I'm not mistaken, Kevin Clark would have most likely finished the job if your neighbors wouldn’t have been around to hear you screaming. Not to mention the recent death threat?”

  "Kevin is all bark with no bite.”

  "Looks like he bit you pretty good by the look of that shiner,” Phillips pointed towards my swollen eye.

  "Well, you sure got me there," I respond, hoping my sarcastic irritation doesn’t go unnoticed.

  "Excuse me,” Chief Duncan interjected, clearing his throat." Are you two done?" I can tell that Chief Duncan isn't a man to be ignored.

  "I'll be outside Chief,” Phillips exited visibly annoyed.

  "Don't let him get under your skin, Mrs. Clark. He just enjoys hearing the sound of his voice."

  "I dealt with men like him before Chief Duncan, and please call me Haley. Mrs. Clark is Kevin's mother's name. He and I are divorced even though most people wouldn’t know it.”

  It was such a relief to say that out loud finally. The truth is the name Clark sickens me, and my perfect marriage crumbled years ago after we both signed the papers.

  Kevin continued to threaten, so I continued to keep up appearances, and I admit I gave in to his demands purely out of fear.

  I couldn't stand by and watch while everything I’ve worked so hard for is taken away from me quicker than when we both signed our names on the dotted line, so I just kept on pretending.

  These cops don't know what they are up against. The Clark's don't fail in business, politics, money matters, or marriage. They don't fail at anything.

  "Pardon me, Mrs.--- Haley,” he frowned no doubt uncomfortable by what I said. He doesn't seem like who gets into other people's personal matters, he's straight-laced and by the book, I respect that.

  "No problem Chief," I joked saluting him. “I totally understand.”

  "I'm glad,” he smiled.

  "May I ask you a question Chief?”

  "Of course," he responds, taking a seat.

  "Why Officer Phillips, he obviously doesn’t want to be here, even I could see that.”

  "What he lacks in the warm and fuzzy department, he makes up for in loyalty and heart. I would trust him with my life."

  I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was one hundred percent sincere. It made me wonder what kind of history the two of them have together that makes him trust Officer Ginger so much.

  Chapter 3

  Darren

  How can a woman smell so damn good? Haley smelled just as good as she looked, swollen eye and all. I think that's what got my blood boiling a bit.

  I don't know if it was the fact that her husband felt he had the right to do that to her, and she took it, or if it was the way she looked into my eyes after she lost her balance when we met?

  I'd like to think it's the latter, but that's highly unlikely since I’ve never had a good track record with the ladies. Women like all that emotional crap they see in movies.

  They want romance, long walks in the park, heartbroken men standing outside in the rain with a boom box professing their undying love. Frankly, I’ve never been that type.

  For years now, my cousin Elise has been trying to reform me. But, taking dating advice from another cop, especially one that I used to make mud pies with, isn't something that I’ll be able to take very seriously.

  Besides, it would take a strong, extremely patient woman to be able to put up with a pain in the ass like me, and I think Mrs. Money Bags has more than enough men in her life that aren’t good for her.

  You're here to protect and serve, and that's all Darren, that’s all.

  I don't blame her for responding the way she did to my smart remark about her eye, I was just trying to help to understand how much danger she’s in. I've seen it many times before. A woman being flippant about being beaten and mistreated by their lover or spouse, then being found later either dead or so broken, they're never the same.

  Why is she taking this so lightly? I wonder it can't just be because she's stubborn, and I can tell by talking with her that she's very intelligent, so why I wonder?

  "Darren," Chief Duncan called, closing the hotel door behind him. "What are you thinking? Are you deliberately trying to piss her off?"

  "No, sir, I don't know what came over me. It will never happen again," I apologized, hoping that everyone could move past my momentary error in judgment.

  "I know this wasn't ideal, but she needs protection, and I know you've been eyeing that promotion," he reminded. "This could help to prove how capable you are, and you can finally have a chance to step out of your mother's shadow."

  I hated to admit it, but he's right, this could help me to show what I can do finally, this is what I need.

  "I hear you, Chief, and I know I don’t say thank you enough.”

  "Damn right, you ungrateful bustard," he chuckled.

  It's strange how Chief Duncan and I have our moments every now and again, they oddly remind me of the dynamic my mother and I used to have.

  She, like the Chief, was straightforward, and by the book with tons of attitude, maybe, it's because they both came up in the same generation and were close friends.

  "So boss," I said in a playful but serious tone. "Since I'm fully on board, I need to know all the facts, and I know you're keeping something from me."

  Why are we protecting a woman, even though she is rich from what seems like just a bad marriage to an abusive asshole, and why would she be getting death threats?

  I haven't been able to shake the feeling that this is much more than it seems ever since I got called out to the scene.

  "Will you excuse us for a moment officers," he shooed the other two blues away, pulling me off to the side. "This assignment is very sensitive due to the family involved and the extreme nature of the crime committed."

  "You're still not giving me much to go on, but words boss, spell it out me."

  "The Clark family is big business. They come from old money. So far, everything they've accomplished over the past hundred or so years has been legit. However, we now have evidence of fraud, money laundering, government, and local law enforcement payoffs all thanks to that clever woman inside that room behind us."

  Shit, this is big, much bigger than I thought it would be.

  "Why me for the job, this definitely sounds like something for the feds, not a local cop?"

  "The matter is under investigation, and she will be turned over to the feds if this makes it to court."

  "If?" I ask, confused by his response. "This seems pretty clear to me with the evidence you say she has against them."

  "The Cark's have a way of making things disappear if you know what I mean?" He breathed, putting both his hands on his hips.

  Hands-on hips, not a good sign.

  "So, you need someone you can trust inside," I answered before he could.

  "Exactly, kid. We're responsible since this all fell into our laps. We must keep her safe and alive until all this goes to trial. There are too many snitches in house. I don't trust anyone but you."

  This is heavy.

  "You can trust me. I'll protect her with my life, Captain." I meant every word.

  "I know you will. Ever since you were a kid, you've had that look in your eye. The look of a good cop, a protector, and that's why I choose you but remember to keep your eyes and ears open and trust your gut.”

  nod yes towards the Captain honored and humbled that he thinks so highly of me, I'm ready to take this on.

  "While you're with her, you will be in plain clothes and
promoted temporarily to a higher status with bigger clearance for protection purposes, please don’t abuse this.”

  "Yes, Sir."

  "This clearance will allow you to study and get familiar with the Clark family, so you know who to look for and who to stay away from if a situation arises. You will have full access to these files on the laptop provided for you inside the hotel suite, where you will be staying with the witness until she is transferred to the feds.”

  "So, I'm the middle man until the big boys show up?"

  "So, to speak," he smiled.

  "Do your job, keep her safe, then let the feds take over, simple,” he said, waving back over the two blues that were guarding the door. "I'll send someone over to your house to pack a bag for you and brought up here within the hour."

  "I have a bag packed, sir, something my mom always taught me, it's in my locker at the station."

  "Goodman," he smirked as he took his leave into the elevator. I stood for a minute outside Mrs. Money Bags door, remembering what my mom once told me.

  She told me that one day, my life would change. She told me that it would be hard and that I'll need to fight. She knew that I was strong and smart, so I would get through it. She also told me always to keep two bags packed, one that others can know about and one that's a secret.

  I couldn't help but smile at my mother's prediction as I knocked on the suite door, knowing that the woman behind it will probably change my life forever.

  ~~~

  "So Ginger, what brings you here because I know you don't want to be here," she asked, folding her arms defensively like she was preparing to protect herself. Her body language told me everything that I needed to know about her personality.

  "I'm here to protect you; it's as simple as that."

  "I don't need protecting, I can take care of myself," she looked at me furiously.

  She's going to be a handful.

  "The current events surrounding you prove otherwise," I comment, hoping to shut her interrogations down, but I know she won't go down without a fight she a feisty one.

  "I don’t need anyone to take care of me, Kevin just caught me off guard, that's all, and as far as these so-called death threats, they’re just scare tactics, I’ve finally got them running.”

  "I know nothing about "running" or whatever, but what I do know is that I'm supposed to keep you safe until the feds can take over, and that's exactly what I will do."

  "Exactly what I thought, a babysitter." She bated. I knew exactly what she was trying to do.

  "You said it, not me, "baby" sitter," I smiled, knowing what I said would piss her off. She deserved it, smart-ass.

  "How dare you," she stood arms still crossed. "Who are you calling a baby?"

  "I only see one person in this room having a tantrum, so if the shoe fits as they say." It's going to take more than insults to get rid of me, sweetheart, round one Darren.

  "Let me tell you something, cops like you Ginger come a dime a dozen. If I want you gone, all I have to do is say the word," she said smugly. She's really going for the jugular now I must have hit a nerve.

  "It's Officer Darren Phillips Mrs. Clark, not Ginger. I would appreciate it if you could show some respect if you know what that is. Secondly, your little insults don't affect me. I've got extremely thick skin,” I move in closer purposefully trying to invade her personal space, an intimidation move I’ve learned over the years.

  "Respect is earned Ginger, and as far as your thick skin, that sounds like a hygiene problem. I have a wonderful spa I can recommend that can help you with that," she smirked, dropping her guard just long enough for me to see the hurt in her swollen eyes.

  Play nice Darren she's hurting even if she's not showing it on the outside, don't be a jerk let her have this one.

  "Snappy one, aren't you,” I smile hoping to break the aggression she’s directing towards me. “Look, I don’t want to argue with you, I'm here to do my job and protect you. I'm not the enemy, they are."

  I throw up my hands in surrender and back out of her space, allowing her a win for once. After all, winning at a petty argument with a beautiful broken woman when she's already down does nothing for my manhood. My mother would turn over in her grave if she could see how I was behaving.

  "I apologize," she says, sincerely sitting down on the lavish couch behind her. "I've had to be aggressive all my life. It's only the Clark's that know how to keep my as you put it "snappy" nature subdued."

  I can't imagine this woman giving in to anyone. They must have a serious hold on her somehow.

  "No need for an explanation, you're free to do whatever you see fit. If you don't want me to stay, I’ll gladly leave with my best wishes for your safety.”

  "Let's start over," she said, extending her hand peacefully. "I'm Haley ex-wife of Kevin “psychopath” Clark, nice to meet you.”

  The moment I took her hand in mine and looked into her sky-blue eyes again, I knew for sure that a change was brewing inside me.

  Her hand fit perfectly into mine, perfectly manicured, tiny, and soft to the touch but strong. At that very moment, I made a silent pledge to protect her even if I have to lay down my own life in exchange.

  I was a ruined man for all other women. It took everything inside me not to hold her closer to me so I could figure out which part of her body that enticing smell is coming from. I would happily volunteer to spend hours trying to find out.

  "Officer Phillips?" she interrupts.

  "It's Darren, Officer Darren Phillips, I didn’t know you were divorced?" I stuttered, coming back to my senses.

  Great recovery Darren, you probably look like a drooling dog. How would you know that she was divorced? It's not like that would have come up in casual conversation.

  "Nice to meet you, Darren, and yes, most people don't know that Kevin and I are divorced and have been for a few years now," she said, diverting her eyes from mine. "So please, from now on, call me Haley."

  "No problem at all, I will do as you wish.”

  "Great, now that we're allies, Darren, can you bust me out of this joint?"

  "Not even going to happen," I said sternly. "I won't put your safety in jeopardy, not on my watch."

  "Well, what good are friends for then?" she joked. " I had to try."

  "I understand, it was a good effort on your part if that helps to take the sting of me saying no to you any better," I responded

  "Oh, you're a jokester too," she commented, crossing her legs, laying down completely vulnerable on the sofa. "A man of many talents I see Officer Darren Phillips." She's becoming comfortable, which means trust.

  "I wouldn't say that, but I can walk and talk at the same time if that's what you mean?"

  She immediately broke out into a loud set of giggles that made me giddy, and I couldn't help but laugh with her. I haven't laughed like this in a while, it feels good.

  "That was actually quite funny, Darren," she wiped her eyes while holding her stomach as she finished her last little giggle.

  Her giggle soon turned into a whimper that quickly turned into even deeper sobs. It was painful to watch, and I've never been good at consoling women. My mother and my cousin were really the only women I grew up around, and they weren't very girly.

  Now that I think about it, I can only recall my mother losing her cool long enough to cry only once in my lifetime. Even then, it was entirely under control.

  "Was it something I said, Ms.?" I asked, concerned completely out of my element handling guns, fights, and arresting criminals.

  "No, it's not your fault," she answered in between sobs. "I just thought to myself, I haven't laughed like this in a while, and it felt good."

  Her words made me nervous. It was like she read my mind.

  "Well, if you're okay, I'm going to get myself settled. I have a long night ahead of me," I grab my bag heading towards the room closest to the entrance. "Would you like a tissue or something?"

  What the hell, Darren, that was about as sensitive as a punch to the
face.

  "No, I'm fine, really," she sniffed.

  "Okay, I'll be getting settled if you need me," I answered, practically running to my room.

  Total coward move Darren you could have at least sat next to her and patted her on the back or something.

  "Sure,” she coughed, working to clear her throat.

  Moments later, through what I thought was a calm night, I hear the sound of breaking glass and a loud thud followed by Haley’s scream. I remove my gun from its holster and head towards the living area of the suite.