The police.
I could go to them. Tell them all about his advances and abuse. Maybe then he’d be taken away in cuffs. Zella would be handed over to Terrence. Everyone would be happy.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I head to the police station. I’m not a huge fan of the cops because one of my sister’s rapists was one, but I have to hope that justice will prevail. I claim a parking spot up close and then make my way inside, fighting wooziness.
“I need to speak to a police officer,” I tell the elderly receptionist.
Her eyes sweep over me, lingering at my cheek and nods. “Of course, hon. I’ll find someone available.”
After an hour of waiting, I’m called back to an office. A man with a receding hairline and thick black mustache offers me a seat.
“I’m Officer Browne. What can I help you with today?”
“I want to file a report.”
“For?”
“Kidnapping and child abuse.” I lift my chin, daring him to argue.
He barks out a laugh. “These are strong allegations. Who is it you want to report?”
Unease slides through my veins. He studies me with mild interest and a hint of amusement. I want to rip his mustache off.
“The man I babysit for. He’s kidnapped the girl and—”
“His daughter,” he interrupts. “Go on.”
I grit my teeth, glaring at him. “Granddaughter.”
He doesn’t flinch. “So her grandfather kidnapped her?”
“Yes.”
“Where are her parents?”
“Her mother is missing and her father is trying to get custody.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Let me guess. You’re the girlfriend?”
I blink at him in shock. How in the hell could he have possibly known that? I’m stunned speechless.
“Listen here, kid,” Browne says. “I’ve been down this road more times than I can count. The dad is a piece of shit who isn’t allowed to see his kid. You’re dating said piece of shit. Probably knocks you around a bit based on the shiner forming on your cheek. You think you’ll somehow earn his love and affection if you help him win his kid back.” He shakes his head. “I can help you file a domestic violence report against the father, but I’m not going to put the child back in the hands of a monster.”
“N-No!” I shout out, tears quickly forming against my will. “It’s the grandfather!”
His lips thin out. “What’s your name, miss?”
Unbelievable.
This is why I want to become a cop.
Too many shitheads like this guy running the show and not getting anything done. What a disgrace.
“I have to go,” I choke out. “My dad is going to worry if I don’t get home soon.”
“How old are you, kid?” He arches a brow. “From the looks of it, not quite an adult. Tell me…How old is this boyfriend of yours? If he’s old enough to have a kid, he’s probably a helluva lot older than you.”
I don’t like where he’s going with this.
Quickly, I rise to my feet and hightail it out of there.
Fuck Officer Browne.
Fuck Jack.
Fuck everyone.
I’ll just have to gather all the proof myself.
Terrence
“What are your intentions with my girl?”
I roll my eyes at Jace. His massive frame blocks the doorway of Garrett’s loft, keeping me from entering. “Dude. Move.”
“When Garrett’s off rubbing elbows with rich fuckers, I’m the stand-in dad.” He smirks. “You know Penny’s a kid, right?”
“Penny’s more grown up than your ass,” I throw back. “Move. I’m taking her out today.”
He eyes me up like he can see inside my head. “I need the words, Terrence.”
“I’m not here to defile Penny,” I growl. “Jesus. I want to take her to lunch and talk to her. She’s been distant and weird. Is that okay, your royal asshole-ness?”
“It’s okay. For now. If I get word you’re fucking my girl, I’ll bash in the other side of your head, man. I’ll put you in a forever sleep.”
I poke his hard chest. “First of all, Penny can decide who she wants to fuck, not you. That’s her decision, not ours. Secondly, I would never do anything to hurt her. Ever. Thirdly, if I for some reason unintentionally hurt her, we both know Penny can handle her own. She’d probably stab me in my good eye.”
He laughs. “My girl has balls of steel.”
“Fuck yeah she does. Now let me in so I can try and bring her back to us. She’s dealing with shit on her own. I don’t like it.”
“Garrett know you’re dating his daughter?” He arches his brow, still not moving from the doorway.
“No, and I’d appreciate it if you kept that to yourself.”
His amber eyes glint in an evil way as his grin widens. “It’ll be our dirty little secret until I can’t stand it anymore and want to fuck with Gary.”
“Are you done being an asshole?”
“Never,” he says, “but I am for now. Good luck. Penny came out earlier to grab breakfast and nearly bit my head off. She’s in a mood. Probably on the rag.” He points at my face. “She’s got one helluva shiner. Might have something to do with it.”
I push past him, entering the loft. Striding down the hallway, I find her room and knock.
“Go away, pet. I don’t have the patience for your shit today,” she grumbles.
I twist the knob, pushing into the room. Penny is on her side, curled into a fetal position. She’s so small, her baggy clothes swallow her. I close the door behind me, kick off my shoes, and then crawl into the bed with her.
“Who let you in, Smash?” she grumbles but puts up no fight when I pull her against my chest.
“Your guard dog but not before an intense interrogation where I had to proclaim my intentions for you.” I chuckle as I stroke my fingers through her hair. “I’ve missed you. This. Us.”
Her body trembles. She tightens her hold around me as though now that I’m here, she can’t bear for me to leave. I want to drill her with questions and demand answers. I want to know what’s going on inside her head. But I know this girl. I can’t push her. She’ll come around in her own time. I just need to be here for her when she does.
“You going to be okay for tonight’s game?” I ask, my voice a low rumble. “Maybe you should sit this one out.”
“And miss beating Rockford’s ass? Duh.”
“There’s my girl.” I let out a heavy sigh. “Let me take you to lunch. We can ride in my new car.”
“Is it as cool as mine?”
“Way cooler.”
She sits up, her blue eyes finding mine. A dark bruise is forming, confirming what Jace told me. Her hair is a mess and dark circles ring her eyes. Something I don’t usually see from Penny flickers in her gaze.
Fear.
Not of me.
Someone else entirely.
“Eli been fucking with you?” I ask, reaching up to rub my thumb over her bruised cheek.
“Nope. I got that from basketball practice. Your cousin is crazy with her elbows.” She swats my hand away. “Are you going to kiss me or keep staring at me like you want to?”