The Scars She Left Behind

Chapter Thirty

I take a breath as I round the corner towards the meeting place. It was dark and damp from the rain that had fallen earlier today. I had no reason to be so nervous, but I had the worst thought out. What if this didn't work?

Bryson had made me go to the police after I told him what had happened. They had somehow convinced me to be the bait and they'll take care of the rest. I tried to stay positive that they will catch Brad, but I knew somehow he'd get away with this. All that mattered was that we got Chloe back.

"Surprised you came." A man steps out from the shadows. I recognized him, I didn't know what his name was, I'm pretty sure he was Brad's bodyguard of some sort.

"Alone, as he asked." I raise my arms as he pats me down for weapons hoping he wouldn't notice the small mic on my jeans. "Where is she?"

He snaps his fingers and a man comes from around the corner holding Chloe. His hand is over her mouth and her arms are roped in front of her. Her eyes widen at me, begging to get her out of this mess.

"Let her go, we made a promise." I plea. He nods at the guy and pushes Chloe forward on the ground and unties her. It takes her a moment to realize she's free, I smile to let her know I'll be alright. I can tell she doesn't want to leave me with them, but she runs as fast as she could.

"Give me your phone." He holds his hand out. I place my phone in the palm of his hand and watch as he takes it apart and throws the pieces on the ground. He smirks, "can't have anyone tracking us now."

Suddenly I'm being grabbed from behind and pushed towards a car in the alleyway. Little did he know, I still had a tracker on me. It was strategically placed in the sole of my shoe. The car door slams in my face and he takes the seat on my left. I hoped they would intervene soon, I did not want to come face to face with Brad again...

"Boss, there's a car following us." The driver interrupts the silence after fifteen minutes. Sure enough, a black sun could be seen a couple of car lengths behind us.

"Lose them." The guy speaks next to me sternly. He eyes me very closely, I gulp scared of what was to come. "What do you know?"

I shrink into my seat as the driver takes a sharp turn and speeds up. I grip the seat for my life, closing my eyes in fright as I fasten the belt over me.

"I have no idea." I snarl back at him. A harsh, burn captures my cheek like fire and I gasp in pain.

"I'm not playing! Is this a setup!" He yells in my face and I glare into his evil stare, mad that he had slapped me.

"I'm not telling you shit!" I push myself against the door to get as much distance as I can between us. He reaches for his gun holster on his leg and I quickly shut my eyes.

The car abruptly stops, choking me with the seat belt. Bright lights poured through the shaded windows and everyone was panic stricken inside. We were surrounded by police cars.

"Come out, your surrounded." A megaphone speaks in the air. Everyone has a hold of their guns and I pray that I get out of this unharmed.

"You fucking bitch!" He spews next to me. He clocks his gun and aims it right at me. I fumble for the door but it's locked from the inside.

"This is your last warning!" The cop says, but we're still at a standstill. As he pulls down in the trigger, I duck and screen. Broken glass falls over my body and my ears ring deafeningly.

Officers were all over the car now. One takes hold of my arm and pulls me away from the guy. His gun still aimed towards me until he's pushed aside by a dog before he can shoot at me again.

I still couldn't hear a thing around me, I could see many rounds being fired and the slow motion running officers. I felt as if I was dreaming, I'd wake up any minute from this nightmare safe in my room.

---

I awoke sitting in an office. I had no recollection of how I got here but I knew I was finally safe again. I had a stabbing headache and each tick from the clock above fest like needlepoint straight into my brain.

"Summer." Bryson sighs in relief as he walks through the doorway. He was holding two cups, he sets them on the table before sitting next to me.

"I have a headache." I mutter out and he fumbles with his pockets quickly. He pulls out a bottle and hands it to me.

"I asked around for them, I knew you'd ask." He blushes, running a hand through his hair. "Are you okay? You had us all scared for a second."

I stare at him after swallowing a couple of ibuprofen. I was fine, why was he so worked up for?

"I'm fine, when can I go home?" I ask as an officer walks in and sits in front of us.

"You're all set to go if you want. We got all that we needed to lock them up." He speaks. "I just need you to sign these forms  before you go."

He slides them over to me and gets up to leave. I quickly sign and stand up. Dizziness stirs my brain and I grab the table to bound myself. This was far from over, but at least it was for now.

"C'mon". Bry wraps his arm around me and leads me out of the room. I lean into his arm but stop my legs when a thought dawns on me.

"What is it?" Bryson asks softly with worry.

"He knows where I live, what if he comes to finish?" My mind wanders to the worst case and my heart starts pounding.

"They'll have an officer stationed outside your apartment." He says but it doesn't ease my mind one bit. He sighs biting his lip deep in thought. "Stay with me tonight, we'll figure this out tomorrow."

I nod moving my legs forward once again. A cab was parked outside waiting and we both get into the back. He gives the driver the address he was stationed at and we pull out in that direction.

"What about Chloe?" I feel myself pale, mad that I had completely forgotten about her.

"She called her parents, she's staying with them right now. She's okay, just shaken up a bit." He explains. My nerves calm knowing she was safe and so was I. He hadn't won this time, and I know that he'll be back with a vengeance. "She told me to tell you not to worry."

Easier said than done, Chloe. I wouldn't blame her if I never saw her again, if I were in her position I'd probably leave this damn state.

"That'll be fifty-seven fifty." The cabbie says as we pull in next to the building. Bryson pulls out sixty dollars and tells him to keep the change. He drives away as soon as he's clear to and we make out way into the big building.

We take the elevator to the highest floor in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, we were both lost in thought about the nights' events. He leads me to the room door and unlocks it revealing something like my place, but even better.

"You can take the bed," He pushes the bedroom door open. "I'll take the couch."

"No," I stay stopping him. "Please stay."

♡