Hers(15)

“I’ll do what I can. I’ll work with her. But you have to give me time.”

His captain stood and nodded. “Fine. We will try and see what you can get out of her before we try drastic measures.”

Brock opened the door and left the office. He hoped it didn’t come to drastic measures. He didn’t want Sammy in danger.

Going to the lockers he got changed and got in his car to head over for his turn at having lunch with Sammy. He wondered if Slater had survived her driving. Brock had let her go and have fun yesterday with him. He wanted her comfortable in the car. He wanted her confident before he drilled all the rules and instructions into her. Brock hoped Slater wasn’t too hard on her.

He got in his car and started it and drove out of the car park and to Sammy’s house. Brock pulled up just in time to see Slater pulling into Sammy’s driveway. Brock got out and watched as Slater got out and walked around to Sammy’s side. He opened the door, and Sammy shrank back in her seat.

Brock moved closer and growled when he smelt the fear, hurt, and anger coming off Sammy in waves. “What the hell did you do to her?”

Slater turned on him, and Brock could see the worry and regret in his eyes, although when they saw him they turned to fury.

“This is all your fault, Brock. What the hell were you thinking? You didn’t even warn me she thought she was a rally racer.”

“Stop. Stop right there. This isn’t my fault. When she came home after my lesson she wasn’t fucking terrified.” Brock caught Slater’s fist as it came at him.

A whimper from the passenger seat had him pushing Slater out of the way. He knelt down so he was eye level with Sammy.

“Hey, angel, want to tell me what’s wrong?” Brock kept his voice low and level.

Sammy’s eyes looked unfocused. She didn’t even look like she was with him. She was far off, someplace safe.

“Sammy, it’s me, Brock. It’s safe now. You can come back. I promise no one will hurt you or harm you in any way.”

Brock watched as Sammy’s eyes cleared, and she focused on him. As soon as her body relaxed she took a deep breath and threw herself at him. Brock wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

“It’s your job to teach me to drive from now on.”

Brock sighed and breathed in her scent as he stroked her hair. “Sure, angel. It will be a thing just the two of us do.”

Sammy nodded against him, and he squeezed her closer to his body. This shouldn’t have happened. Sammy shouldn’t have got to this stage. She’d reported to the police her situation with Greg. Brock kissed her forehead and stood noticing Slater had left. He’d talk to him later. But after what just happened he knew he had to find out what was wrong with precinct Breakaway.

****

Brock taught her to drive the rest of the week. He never yelled, and he stayed calm and never judged or told her she should have done this or should have done that. Brock explained things calmly.

Sammy felt silly now for the way she’d reacted with Slater. Sammy wanted to apologize to Slater, but he’d stayed away from her, and she hadn’t seen him the rest of the week. Slater had sent her flowers, teddy bears, boxes of chocolate, and apology letters. Tomorrow was Sandy’s wedding, and she was supposed to be resting and going to bed early for beauty sleep, but she needed to see Slater.

Getting off the bus she walked down to Glaser. Sammy could see the waiting line the closer she got for the restaurant and wondered if she should have come earlier, but she knew Slater would be here at this time. Debating if she should wait or push her way to the front she sighed in relief when Anna came down the line checking if people were with a large party group that was already in and waiting on people so they could order.

“Samantha, why are you waiting out here? Come, come on in. Slater’s woman doesn’t wait in line.”

“Hi, Anna, is Slater here? I came to see him.”

“Yes. Slater’s in the kitchen driving Richard crazy.”

Anna dragged her through the throng of people, who gave her dirty looks and mumbled complaints as she skipped the queue and made her way to the front. Anna got behind the reception desk and pointed her to the kitchen.

“Just go in the kitchen. Slater will be up the front with Richard.”

“Thanks.” Sammy weaved her way through the crowed restaurant astounded at how many people were there. She couldn’t see an empty seat in sight.

Before she reached the kitchen doors she took a deep breath in and hoped Slater didn’t mind her just turning up here. Pushing the kitchen door open she stared at the controlled chaos around her and the two men standing at the front of the room towards the food bay arguing.