“Well, I’ve got one more stop,” I say then stand up.
“He’s all bark and no bite,” Robin’s mom says, somehow already knowing where I’m going.
I’m not sure I agree about that. Kent wanted to punch my face in. As much as I wanted to go a few rounds with him, my anger’s cooled. This rift is hurting Robin, and I don’t give a fuck if I have to beg the man to work this out or let him kick my ass a few times. I need him to be okay with this so Robin has everything her heart desires. As her soon-to-be husband, that’s my duty to her.
“He’ll come around. I promise this is tearing him up as much as it is her. They’re brother and sister, but remember he’s a lot older than her. He took care of her, too. Sometimes they’re more like father and daughter really,” Robin’s mom says, and her words hit home.
I don’t even want to think about how I’ll be when Charlotte starts dating. If she told me she was moving in with some guy without even knowing him I’d lose my mind. I’m getting a good view from Kent’s side of things in this moment and I need to realize that Robin is important to her family and they just want what’s best for her.
“Thanks,” I tell them, and they stand up and give me a hug right before Robin’s dad surprises me once again.
“Welcome to the family, son,” he tells me, and I nod because I’m not sure I can form words right now. It’s crazy how I’ve gone from being alone to having this large group of people who care about me.
When I leave, I feel so light and happy. I’m not looking forward to the confrontation with Kent, but knowing that the rest of Robin’s family is behind me helps. When I find out Kent is at work I’m relieved. If a fight does break out at least there will be other cops around to pull us apart. We can’t get into much trouble at the police station. I hope.
I pull out my cell phone when it starts to ring. I’m a little surprised when I see Kent’s number come up and I wonder for a second if Robin’s parents told him to call me. I programed his number in my phone after he told me about the pictures. I don’t think at the time he wanted to give it to me, but he wanted information on catching the person who took the pictures more.
“Kent,” I answer as I pull up to the station. “I’m about to walk into—”
“I know who it is,” he says. “I know who took the fucking pictures.”
I end the call and rush into the station. Thank god he knows who it is. I’m sick of that shit hanging around us. I want the threat to Robin taken care of so we can carry on with our lives and put this behind us. I rush through the double doors and spot Kent immediately.
“You were on the way here?” he asks and looks as shocked as I was when he called me.
Now we can handle both of these matters: the stalker and his problem with me. I want his blessing in marrying Robin, too. I know it would mean the world to Robin if she knew he was okay with us getting married.
“Yeah,” I throw out. “We have shit to sort out because all it’s doing is hurting Robin,” I tell him, getting right down to it. I watch his shoulders drop, and Robin’s mom’s words ring true. He’s hurting, too.
“I’ve been meaning to come by,” he admits. “I dug into you.”
I’m not shocked by his confession because he’s a cop. Of course he looked me up. Not that I have anything to hide. My business was an open book, not to mention I’ve always been a charitable man. There’s no dirt on me to be found, and what he most likely found made him like me.
“Sorry about your cousin. You’re a good man to take her baby in.” He runs his hand through his hair and I see regret on his face.
“She’s my little girl now and she was from the moment they told me about her.” I lock eyes with him. “Robin’s mine, too, and I won’t let her go. We need to make this easier on everyone and cut the shit. I’m not going anywhere, and the longer you drag your heels the longer this draws out. The conclusion is going to be the same no matter what you decide.”
He’s quiet for a second until he finally laughs. I didn't know the man could smile.
“I have to say I wanted to lay you out that day.” He shakes his head. “But on the flip side of it, I was glad you stood up to me. All the others have run.”
“Dumbasses.”
Kent nods in agreement. “All right. I can see you’re in this for the long haul.” He leans back in his chair. “That said…” The warning hangs in the air.
“You don’t even have to say it. If I ever hurt her, I’ll kick my own ass.” Kent smirks and I give him a serious look. “I promise I’ll be good to her. I want a life with her. I’ll do everything in my power to protect her,” I vow.
“Good, then you’ll want to know about Franky Bow.” Kent drops a picture onto the desk for me to see and I recognize the guy immediately.
“That fuck,” I bite out, and I should have known. I’d actually forgotten about him after I made a call to UPS to drop any packages that came to me to the post office in town. I didn't want him near my house after our run-in.
I glance down when my phone rings, and then Kent’s starts ringing, too. I answer it when I see it’s the security team I have watching the house.
“Yeah.” My heart starts to thud in my chest.
“Sir, I wasn't sure what I should do when Robin left.”
“What!” I shout, standing up. That’s not what I thought he was going to say.
“You told us to report on anyone coming to the house. You didn't say anything about her leaving.”
“How long has she been gone?” I can’t keep the anger out of my words as every emotion thumps through my body.
“Over an hour,” he says, and I end the call. I look up at Kent, who has his phone to his ear and whatever is being said, he isn’t liking.
“Get there,” Kent barks into the phone before he ends it. “She’s at the diner and Franky’s there, too.” He’s already in motion and I’m hot on his heels.
When we get to his cruiser I jump in the passenger seat and he peels out of the parking lot.
“How did you find that out so fast?” I ask.
“After I figured out who it was stalking her, I put the word out to find him. The call was letting me know they spotted his truck at the diner. I'd told my men I wanted to be the one to arrest him, so they didn't grab him when they saw him.” He bangs the steering wheel with his hand. “They would have grabbed him if they knew Robin was there.
“How do you know she’s there, then, if they didn't tell you?” I ask as I fist my hands in my lap.
“We all have tracking on each other.” I glance over at him.
“Thanks for the tip.” I’m going to make sure I’ve got it, too, the second she’s back by my side. “How can you arrest him? Do you have something on him besides taking some pictures?” I’m not sure how long that will hold him in jail, but it’s clear this sick fuck is a predator.
“Yeah, he’s wanted for skipping bond. Franky isn't even his real name. He’s been using his cousin’s ID to lay low and get a job. His ass is going to prison. Robin isn't the first girl he’s stalked. The last one—”
“Don’t,” I cut him off. I don’t want to know because I’m already on edge. When I see the diner come into sight, I grab the door handle and get ready to jump out. My gut clenches when I see her stepping into the truck.
“Fuck,” we both say at the same time.
The cruiser slides into the parking lot and I’m out before it’s even fully stopped. I’m running flat out as fast as I can just as I hear her scream.
Chapter 11
Robin
The scream makes my throat raw, but I ignore the pain and fight like hell. Suddenly I see movement out of the corner of my eye and Franky’s painful hold on my arm burns as he tries to tug me into the back of the truck.
Suddenly the back doors are flung open and I hear people shouting. I’m partially in the back of the truck, but it’s been flooded with light and for a moment I’m blinded.
“Robin!” I want to sob at the sound of Anderson’s voice. He’s here, everything is going to be okay.
“You let her go or I’ll put a bullet right between your eyes,” I hear Kent say. “The truck is surrounded and you’re not going anywhere.”
Relief and fear mix together as Franky pulls me closer to him. He doesn’t have a weapon, but he’s a big guy. I breathe, trying to remain calm as my eyes finally clear and I see Kent with two officers standing on either side of him. I can’t see Anderson, but I swear I can feel him, because my panic begins to calm and I know it’s all going to be all right.
“I said let her go,” Kent says as he takes a step towards the truck.
“You’re nothing but a whore anyway,” Franky says to me and his grip loosens.
I gasp when there’s a kick to his back and he’s knocked forward and face down. I gasp as Anderson scoops me up in his arms and Kent descends on Franky. Anderson must have come in the back door of the truck.
I’m swept out of the truck and brought into the diner where Millie is inside with other people watching the whole thing happen. I glance over to see Charlotte still asleep in her car seat and a wave of relief hits me.