“Sean.”
He opened the door, and she watched as two furry paws propped on the doorjamb and hopped out of the cab. She’d never been so happy to see that damn squirrel. “Penelope!” She scrambled to the front door and ran outside. “Come on, girl! Come on!” Penelope ran up to Abigail. She leaned down and nestled her nose in the dog’s fur. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Thank you for getting her.”
“I want to get you home.”
Eric came walking out onto the brick-paved driveway.
“I’m taking her to my place. Thanks for watching over her.”
Eric gave both of them a sad smile. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if you two need anything, just call.”
“Thanks, man,” Sean said. He took Abigail by the hand. “Come on.”
The dog struggled to get her back legs into the truck. Sean lifted her into the cab. Abigail raced to the passenger side and got in. She snuggled Penelope close to her side, rubbing her ears to comfort herself. “Is Ron okay?”
Sean scooted into the driver’s seat. “Yes, he’s fine. Worried about you but fine. He said that Mike guy has been delivering packages for a couple of weeks.”
“No! Oh God, I have to call Ron. He has to stay away from him. His name isn’t Mike.” They pulled out of the driveway. “Where are we going?”
“My place. Once I get you settled in, you’re going to tell me everything that happened. Are we clear on that?”
She watched his forearms tighten and release. His knuckles were bleach-white gripping the steering wheel. “Y-Yes. I’ll tell you…everything.”
After he’d gotten her settled in his apartment, she told him about how Justin had come to the warehouse and how she’d run. “We’re calling the police, Abigail. That’s final. No more running. That bastard’s had you running long enough.”
Sean picked up the phone and called 911. After speaking with the dispatcher, he hung up the phone. “They’re sending out an officer for you to file a report. I mean it, baby. It’s time for you to tell your story. I want you safe and that maniac behind bars. We can do this together.”
Abigail fought the urge to run straight for the door. She remembered the only time she’d told a cop about the abuse. Then, when they brought Justin in for questioning, she’d gotten too scared and dropped the charges. The beating that followed was a reminder to never tell.
“I…can’t, Sean. I’m…I’m afraid.”
He sat on the couch beside her and curled her up onto his lap. “You’re not alone anymore, baby. You’ve got me. Remember? I can fight anything. Come on, be brave for me.”
She nestled her face against his chest. He was so hard and strong. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Want to catch some lunch?” Sean spun around to find Ron standing in the doorway. “You’ve been stuck in the dungeon for days, and I’m starving.”
“Where’s Abigail?” Sean asked.
“She went to the hardware store. Carl gave her a list of things to pick up.”
It’d been three weeks since Abigail’s ex had shown up in her office. Just because the police were on the case and they hadn’t had any more run-ins with the bastard didn’t mean he got any less nervous when she went out on her own.
“Maybe Abby can meet us.”
Ron slung his arm around Sean’s shoulder. “At some point, you’re going to have to let her have some space, man. I’m scared as hell too, but she said she didn’t want to be a prisoner in her own home. How about you call and check on her? Then we’ll grab a burger down at the diner.”
Sean shut the storeroom door and grabbed the cell from his pocket. He knew Ron was right. Hell, after they’d told Ron about Justin, Ron broke a lamp in Eric’s living room. He blamed himself for letting the bastard in the office. Abigail assured him there was nothing he could’ve done, but that didn’t help the already shattered lamp.
“Sounds good. She knows not to come to the office unless one of us is here, so I’m just going to let her know to go home after she’s done at the store.”
Ron agreed and pulled the keys from his front pocket. “I’ll drive.”
Sean pressed the tab on his phone to call Abigail. “Hello.”
“Hey, baby. What’s wrong? You sound funny. Are you okay?” Sean felt the panic rising. Anytime his woman didn’t sound content, his heart clenched. Was she in a safe place? Was that bastard near her? Was she hurt?
“I’m okay, at least for the moment. Crap! Hold on.” Sean listened while some retching sound came through the phone.