Chasing Kate

Chapter 35. Reynolds.

After the incident, Kate and Rhett stayed with me. I had went to her apartment to retrieve her things and I had set up my spare room for Rhett.

I was the lucky one, I got to fall asleep every night and wake up to a beautiful smile, I came home to the pitter patter of little feet as they rushed to the door and threw little arms around my neck.

This apartment hadn't been my home, but now with them in it, it was. Home isn't a place, but a feeling.

Kate has been a trooper through it all, she's never complained of pain or asked questions.

I think she knew that I knew who had broken into her apartment, or that it lead back to me some how.

She trusted me enough to protect her, not just her but Rhett too. That was enough for me.

I kept waiting for more phone calls, texts or visits from "him", but it had been weeks since Kate's attack and nothing.

My anger was still fueled though, the depth of it ran deep in my veins.

Every night when I watch as Kate-Anna undresses for bed, I'm reminded of it. The bruises still remain on her rib cage.

My rage almost petrified me, but it made me so numb that I welcomed it.
The storm brewing inside of me laced with guilt, pain, hatred, insanity and anger would cause me to obliterate whatever was in my path when it exploded. I channeled that anger, I didn't ever let it simmer. I'll be ready this time and this time It won't be my defenseless girl he's hitting on.

Kate had trouble sleeping at night. It wasn't falling asleep that alluded her, it was staying asleep. Visions and voice plagued her dreams and she would wake up in a sweat, panicking and screaming out for me.

Her nightmares hurt me worse than they did her. Emotionally I know it was taking it's toll on her, but mentally I can't help but think of her calling out for me while her attackers relentlessly hurt her.

When Kate would start dreaming, it would always wake me. I would watch her body as she seemed to be in a panic. I couldn't wake her, I tried. It was like she was paralyzed in her mind until it wanted to make itself go away.

She would cling to me, weep on me, kiss me and I would embrace her. She told me once, the sound of my voice lulled her to sleep, so I would sing softly behind her ear, her back pressed to my chest until I was sure she was ok.

I would always lie awake for hours after. The thought of Kate-Anna needing me, screaming for me, fighting for me , tears me down from the inside out. The fear I have of loosing her is even greater now than before. This fear is fueled by my need to protect her and the fact that I put her and Rhett in danger.

I would do everything within my power to ensure that would never happen.

Tonight's nightmare had been the worst and I vowed to make it a mission to make sure she knew she was safe.

************************

I devised a plan and with that said, I arranged my mother to keep Rhett, until I came to pick him up.

Kate had just returned to work and she didn't get off until 7.

I left work at 4 to ensure I would have enough time and I drove myself to the outskirts of Compton.

With one purpose: To find Jake.

It didn't take to long in the slums to find his no good for nothing ass. He was trying to hustle under the Cane bridge looking to get his next score.

I hopped out of my truck. I looked out of place here, it's almost hard to believe I used to be just like him.

"Jake! Aye, yo Jake! " I yelled as I ran up to him.

He smiled a crooked smile at me and said "Fancy seeing you here, Lucas."

"Cut the crap, ok? I need to know who you stole that H from." I asked

"You mad? He coming after you too, bro?" He snickered.

"Jake, listen. I got a kid, I don't need to be messed up in some drug deal gone wrong. Tell me who the hell it is, so I can make it right and move on." I said back to him.

"Yeah, I heard he got your girl. Heard she was a real good score. I bet he left her hurting for weeks."

That was it. I tackled him to the street as I pounded his head into the pavement. I slammed my fist repeatedly into his face. He tried to fight back, but the drugs in his system made his reactions slow. I hit him square in the jaw and he spit blood.

"Tell me who it is, god damnit." I yelled.

"Ok, ok." He begged with his hands over his face.

"Ok, it's Tommy Reynolds."
He cried out and rolled over in pain.

"Please. Please. Don't tell him I told you. I'm in some serious shit man." He said.

Tommy Mother Fucking Reynolds.
I got your name now, bro. Won't be to hard to find you. He will regret that day he ever double crossed me.

No one messes with my family and gets away with it.