Shattered #Wattys2016

Chapter 3

"No. No. No," I said as I tried to walk out of the captain's office, but he locked the damn door behind me.

"Jackson-,"

"Can't she go to a safe house?"

"Janet. They know where all of our safe house are. Jayden was the man Nicki saw that night. She pointed him out in a photo line up,"

"You mean to tell me they looked through all of our safe houses to find him?"

"Yes. It's too dangerous to take her to any of them,"

"God...fine. She can stay with me as long as they don't figure out where I live, and I have another place in New Mexico in case we have to move," I sighed. I placed my hands on my hips and looked at him.

"Good. She's in the overnight room sleeping. Get her into a real bed, and get some sleep," He said. I nodded as he unlocked the door, and I made my way down the hall. I opened the door, to find her sitting up, panting with sweat coming down her face. She looked at me as I entered, and then looked away, sighing.

"You ok?" I asked as I sat on the bed across from her. She looked at me, and finally spoke.

"Y-yeah...just, couldn't sleep that's all," She lied. I could tell she was by how she was stuttering and fiddling with the blanket over her legs.

"Come on....I'll take you someplace safe,"

"Wh-What? No please...Can I just stay here? Please, what if they find me?" She cried.

"Don't worry. I'm taking you to my place. You'll be safe ok?" She was shaking again. She nodded slowly and stood. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, and walked her out. She seemed to cling to me as we walked through. She kept her head down, her arm gripping to my side. We continued to go on until we reached the parking lot. As I reached my crown Victoria, I told her to sit in the back behind me.

"W-why?"

"Just do it please," She nodded and got in, me getting in the driver's side. I drove the 30 minute drive home. It was late and traffic was slow. I made sure it was safe for her to come out when I reached my apartment. I motioned her to come, and she did, rushing towards me. I walked up the stairs and down the concrete walkway to apartment 200. I unlocked the door, and allowed her to go in first. She entered, and went to the couch, while I locked the door, and checked to make sure the windows were secured.

"Alright, rules. Stay away from the windows, and keep off your phone alright?" Nicki nodded silently. I walked back to my room, and grabbed some sweats and a shirt. She wasn't exactly my size, but it would have to do until someone brings her and extra set of clothes. I came back and saw her looked at her bandaged arm.

"Here. They probably won't fit, but it's the least I can do. There's a bathroom to the right, across from my room. You can have the bed tonight, I'll take the couch,"

"I-I don't want to impose," She said finally.

"It's fine. You need the sleep more than me anyways," I said to her as I handed her the clothes. She got up and walked down the hall and to the bathroom, shutting the door. I sighed and got ready myself in my master bathroom and got dressed for bed. I yawned. It was a long day, and I was ready to sleep.

"No late night reading for me," I say as I pull the cushions off and pulled the handle, which led to the pull out bed. I placed new sheets on it, and settled in for the night. I heard the door open and she walked out. Her body framed well in the shirt that showed a bit of her stomach and the sweats fitting a little tightly around her hips.

"Th-Thank you, for letting me stay here," she said, looking at her bare feet.

"Of course. It's my job. Get some sleep," She nodded and walked back into the bed room. I sighed, turning the T.V on low. I quickly fell asleep, snoring no doubt, but I hadn't slept well for the past few days, and this one was well needed.