of any help, I think I was wrong and I’m going to have to go about this a different way.”
“Well, whatever way you need to go about this, do it fast!” she says as she pulls out of my embrace.
“What did you tell the police?”
“The truth. Some masked mad man busted in the door and opened fire not caring who was in there. They were aiming for whatever was moving. I was so scared, Fenton. I hid. Instead of trying to help anyone else, I hid under the bar like a coward. What kind of person am I?” She begins shaking and the fear in her eyes pisses me off. I don’t know who is doing this but I need to find out fast.
“Hey, you did what any other person would have done, tried to keep yourself alive. When someone has a gun, there isn’t much you can do without getting shot. Don’t say you’re a coward because you’re not!” I pull her to me and continue comforting her. Her small body is shaking and she is now sobbing. The guilt that I’ve lived with for so many years, that has become my best friend returns and I want to punch that motherfucker in the face. I won’t have anyone else hurt on my watch.
“Listen…” I say, pulling her away so I can look her eye to eye. “I need to get out of here and go to the police station. I’m going to close the bar once the detectives leave but I want you to go home and get some rest. I will handle things here. Andy is there to keep you company”
“I can handle it, Fenton. You go and talk to the police like you are supposed to do.”
“Are you sure? It’s my bar. I should be the one to handle this. You’ve been through hell, you have to be scared.”
“I want to catch the bastards who keep doing this, so please go and help the police. I’ve told them everything I know.”
“Ok, but if you need me you better fucking call me, Camille. I mean it. I’ll be right here.” She nods in understanding. The inner turmoil I’m feeling about leaving her here by herself is ripping me apart. I want to soothe her then send her home. She is as dedicated to this bar as I am and she doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. However, she has always been tough as nails, if anyone can handle it she can.
I pull her to me one last time before I leave. I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to her. She has been one of the few constants in my life and I would never forgive myself if something happened to her.
She’s finally stopped shaking and isn’t crying anymore. That makes my decision a little easier. I blow out a breath and walk back in the bar. It’s been a long time since she and I have been in a relationship. But no matter the time, I never want her hurt or scared to be around me.
Once I’m back inside, in the mess that used to be the bar, I make a mental note to call someone to clean this place up. No way am I going to subject Camille to the torture of cleaning up a mess that could have potentially killed her. I’m a bastard but I’m not evil.
“Camille, who knows this place just as good if not better than me, will be staying here to assist you until you are finished while I go to the police station, if that is ok?” I ask one of the investigators. When he nods, I take that as permission to leave.
I check the tires of the truck before I leave. Apparently, I’m going to have to be paranoid no matter where I am or what I’m doing. My phone buzzes as I’m stepping in the truck. Relief pours over me when I see who it is.
“Hey beautiful, how’s the tire?”
“The tire is changed, thanks to this nice guy that helped this poor, innocent girl change a big ole tire.” She chuckles when she hears me growl. “He gave me his card and told me to call him if I ever needed anything. Wasn’t that so nice of him, Fenton?”
“Keep it up, babe. I’ll show you a nice man!”
“Oh, but I want you to show me a big, strong and jealous man, he is so much more fun!”
“My, my, aren’t you feisty today. Feisty Piper is my favorite. She
“Well, whatever way you need to go about this, do it fast!” she says as she pulls out of my embrace.
“What did you tell the police?”
“The truth. Some masked mad man busted in the door and opened fire not caring who was in there. They were aiming for whatever was moving. I was so scared, Fenton. I hid. Instead of trying to help anyone else, I hid under the bar like a coward. What kind of person am I?” She begins shaking and the fear in her eyes pisses me off. I don’t know who is doing this but I need to find out fast.
“Hey, you did what any other person would have done, tried to keep yourself alive. When someone has a gun, there isn’t much you can do without getting shot. Don’t say you’re a coward because you’re not!” I pull her to me and continue comforting her. Her small body is shaking and she is now sobbing. The guilt that I’ve lived with for so many years, that has become my best friend returns and I want to punch that motherfucker in the face. I won’t have anyone else hurt on my watch.
“Listen…” I say, pulling her away so I can look her eye to eye. “I need to get out of here and go to the police station. I’m going to close the bar once the detectives leave but I want you to go home and get some rest. I will handle things here. Andy is there to keep you company”
“I can handle it, Fenton. You go and talk to the police like you are supposed to do.”
“Are you sure? It’s my bar. I should be the one to handle this. You’ve been through hell, you have to be scared.”
“I want to catch the bastards who keep doing this, so please go and help the police. I’ve told them everything I know.”
“Ok, but if you need me you better fucking call me, Camille. I mean it. I’ll be right here.” She nods in understanding. The inner turmoil I’m feeling about leaving her here by herself is ripping me apart. I want to soothe her then send her home. She is as dedicated to this bar as I am and she doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. However, she has always been tough as nails, if anyone can handle it she can.
I pull her to me one last time before I leave. I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to her. She has been one of the few constants in my life and I would never forgive myself if something happened to her.
She’s finally stopped shaking and isn’t crying anymore. That makes my decision a little easier. I blow out a breath and walk back in the bar. It’s been a long time since she and I have been in a relationship. But no matter the time, I never want her hurt or scared to be around me.
Once I’m back inside, in the mess that used to be the bar, I make a mental note to call someone to clean this place up. No way am I going to subject Camille to the torture of cleaning up a mess that could have potentially killed her. I’m a bastard but I’m not evil.
“Camille, who knows this place just as good if not better than me, will be staying here to assist you until you are finished while I go to the police station, if that is ok?” I ask one of the investigators. When he nods, I take that as permission to leave.
I check the tires of the truck before I leave. Apparently, I’m going to have to be paranoid no matter where I am or what I’m doing. My phone buzzes as I’m stepping in the truck. Relief pours over me when I see who it is.
“Hey beautiful, how’s the tire?”
“The tire is changed, thanks to this nice guy that helped this poor, innocent girl change a big ole tire.” She chuckles when she hears me growl. “He gave me his card and told me to call him if I ever needed anything. Wasn’t that so nice of him, Fenton?”
“Keep it up, babe. I’ll show you a nice man!”
“Oh, but I want you to show me a big, strong and jealous man, he is so much more fun!”
“My, my, aren’t you feisty today. Feisty Piper is my favorite. She
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