Shadows of the Night

Twelve

Sabrina

I kneel before Michael, using a damp rag to clean up the blood from his face. Keith got him pretty good.

I'm glad he's okay. I really thought he died.

The living room is destroyed. Glass is shattered all over the floor from the coffee table, the couch is moved out of place, and pieces of wood are scattered everywhere. The TV is shattered on the ground. There's also a gunshot hole in the wall by the front door and stains of blood on the carpet trailing out the door.

I'm just glad he's alive. He saved my life.

His face is bruised up and his arm is broken. The ambulance is on their way now along with the police.

Nathan paces the destroyed room. "Okay, so what exactly happened?"

Michael sighs. "Well, he broke in and I immediately fired, but he moved in time and tackled me to the floor for a bit. Long story short, I was able to shoot his gut, causing him to run out. That's when you showed up." He explains.

Nathan presses his lips to a line just as the paramedics walk through the open door. "I can have Wilson check in with the hospitals to see if he's there." He says out loud.

I back away from Michael to let the experts take over.

He rises with a groan.

"Hey," Nathan stops him. "thank you for taking care of her. I mean it. I owe you one."

He smiles at him. "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad she's safe too. See ya." The paramedics guide him away.

Police arrive shortly after, allowing Nathan to give them a statement.

I walk over to the window and stare at the view. The sky is dark now, exposing all the city lights from down below.

Just to think, if Michael hadn't been here . . .

It's a shame Keith bailed before police got here. He's still out there and I'm no longer safe here. There's no where else to hide. I sigh.

A hand on my shoulder startles me.

I turn and smile when I recognize the police officer. He almost looks the same since I last saw him almost a decade ago, only he has a layer of beard.

His blue eyes stare back at mine as he returns the smile.

God, he really grew into his looks.

He no longer has the same baby face. His jaw is chisled and his thick, brown hair is a bit shorter. He even bulked up a lot more too.

"Chris." I smile.

"I thought it was you." He smiles and pulls me in for a hug.

I spot Nathan staring at us from afar.

After we release, I lower my eyes to his suit. "Look at you! A cop! You did it!"

"Detective, actually." He smiles.

I open my mouth in awe. "Wow! That's great!"

"Yeah, so, what about you? You still work at that club? Or did you become a doctor?" He jokes.

I smile. "No, definitely not that. I'm still at the club."

He smirks down at me. "Well, you still got the body for it, for sure."

I hesitate to respond, treading carefully about what I say next.

He then says, "So, you married?"

As I open my mouth to respond, Nathan approaches my side, his arm fetching my waist, holding me close. "No, but she's with me."

Chris chuckles as he takes a step back. "I see."

I glance up at Nathan, who is glaring the man down.

"I should get back to work." Chris utters and turns away to walk back to his coworkers.

"Who was that?" Nathan asks while watching him.

"Heeeee was my ex boyfriend in high-school." I admit.

"Hm. Well, he's clearly not over you." He lowers his eyes to mine.

I smile up at him. "Nathan, it's ancient history. That was like a hundred years ago." I turn to face him and rub my hands on his chest. "Besides, you said it yourself, I'm with you now." I stand on my toes and kiss him.

. . .

Nathan

Down at the station, Wilson approaches me.

"Do you have any leads on where Keith might be?" I ask. "I'm sure if we check each hospital, he's probably there."

He sighs. "No, unfortunately. And we did check the hospitals and had no luck." He explains briefly.

I pause and study him for a moment. "Okay, so what are we going to do then? See if we can find his file and track him down then?"

He watches me, then utters, "Yes. We're on it."

I frown. "You don't want me on this case, do you?"

He exhales. "I just don't think it's a good idea because the case is too close to you."

I scoff. "You need my help because I am close to the case. Listen, I know more about this guy already than you guys do. You're gonna need me, believe me." I argue.

He lowers his gaze to his feet. "Go home, Grayson. That woman needs you more."

I turn my head away for a moment, trying hard not to lose control of my anger. "I'm trying to keep her safe. I can't do that without your guys' help." I plead.

"And we are doing the best we can. We got it from it here, okay. Now, go home. She needs you right now." He turns away before I can add anything.

Fuck!

. . .

I return home and drop my keys on the counter. "My boss doesn't want me on this case." I announce out loud. She must be in the other room.

She walks out of the bedroom, her eyes sleepy as if I just woke her up.

I walk towards her and continue, "But, I'm just-" I stop when I realize the cop on the couch isn't the coworker I asked to watch Sabrina.

It was supposed to be Rodgers, a good friend of mine to stay here with her, but instead, it's her ex-Dickhead.

I frown at him. "Where's Rodgers? I asked him to watch Sabrina."

Dickhead stands from the couch. "He's been working all day. Told him I could take over so he could get some rest." He smirks. "Sabrina said it was okay."

I glance at Sabrina.

She shrugs. "I trust any of these guys in uniform. As long as I'm not alone."

I sigh, biting my tongue from making matters worse. "Well, I'm here now. You can go." I utter firmly.

He presses his lips into a line and nods once. As he's walking out, he turns around and says, "Listen, man. We're on the same side. We both just want her safe."

I stare at him without saying a word, my folded arms suggesting he leaves now.

He nods again and heads for the door, saying goodbye to Sabrina. The door shuts behind him.

Sabrina offers an apologetic look.

I exhale and walk up to her, pressing my lips on hers to remind myself of who really won here.

Sabrina chose me.