A Bond Never Broken

Chapter 23

Franklin, Tennessee

Caroline's Home

August 8th, 2015

I knelt beside Caroline and pulled her quivering body into my arms, slowly rocking her back and forth trying to provide as much comfort as I possibly could to her. She nuzzled her head into my shoulder and sobbed. I could feel her hot tears slowly soaking through my shirt.

Why was this happening to us? Of all of the other celebrity targets in our world today, they had to come after me. It's not like I had a mansion with halls of marble and a gold toilet. I mean, we just live in a standard home. Nothing special.

I forced my eyes shut, taking a deep breath. I tried to boggle in my mind all of the thoughts that seemed to be running through my head at one hundred miles per hour. I was in danger. Caroline was in danger which put my three boys in a risky situation as well.

My family was being put in jeopardy.

Something needed to be done about that immediately. My mind instantly went to a verse I remember hearing in church one time. It was a sermon about Godly men. 1 Timothy 5:8 says "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." And I need to provide protection for my family.

Caroline had finally slowed her cries, lowering it to slight sniffles. I watched as Kerri slowly slipped her phone into her back jean pocket and walked up to us. She surveyed the house, taking in every inch of the disaster. Running her hand through her hair and taking a deep breath, she looked down at Caroline and I.

Her voice came out quiet and blank. "The police are on their way. They said not to enter the home yet."

With that, she went back to the truck and climbed in. She just sat in the passenger seat staring straight ahead, not focusing on anything. I forced myself to look away and focus on Caroline. I inhaled sharply and placed a kiss atop Caroline's head, reminding myself I had to be strong for the both of us and the boys.

"Caroline," I whispered, lightly rubbing her arms. "We should get up, the police will be here soon."

She didn't respond for a moment. God only knows what was running through her mind at the moment.

Caroline finally looked up at me with tears in her eyes. Her voice a hoarse whisper, heavy with fear. "Luke, I'm scared."

I hugged her tighter. "I know, baby, believe me, I am too. We just need to both stay strong for the well-being of the boys."

Caroline slowly nodded her head in agreement and wiggled free from my grasp. I stood up and held out my hand to help her up. She slowly got up and dusted off her pants. I watched with sympathy and anger. Her mascara had been smeared and a once vibrant face was replaced with a drooping, fearful one. Caroline didn't deserve this one bit. She was two months pregnant and the added stress of this situation was not healthy for her whatsoever. 

I heard sirens blaring in the distance and a truck door slam at the same time. Kerri approached us with her arms crossed, dreading whatever was to come. She shot me a "we need to talk later" look and I slightly nodded my head in return. 

A few minutes later, one patrol car drove up our driveway and parked behind my truck. Two officers were in the vehicle. One was radioing the station I believe and the other was headed our way. I heard Caroline let out a deep breath and I squeezed her shoulder. Eventually both officers approached. One was a man about my age with blonde shaggy hair, reminding me of the crocodile man. The other was a woman in her fifties I believe with her brown hair pulled back into a tight bun. I could see the grays forming at the edges of her hairline.