Safe Place, page 20
"Damn it, Aydin, don't you want to talk? We have so much to work out. It's all been a misunderstanding. You can come back home, and we'll start the process for adoption. That's what you want, right?"
Aydin wanted to be sick. How could Jason think he'd ever come back, let alone welcome a child into a home with someone like him? Nothing would ever make him go back to Jason. There wasn't a thing he could do or say to get Aydin to forgive him for what he'd done. What he was still doing.
"Aydin, if you don't open up, I'm going to have to find a way in. We have to talk." The handle of the door jiggled again, then a moment later it sounded like Jason was trying to kick in the door.
Aydin gripped the gun at his side and backed away. He'd run out the back and jump the fence to Matt's yard if he had to make a quick escape. Despite Kent telling him to hide in the house, he didn't feel safe if Jason got inside.
Suddenly, everything went silent. Aydin barely dared to breathe as he waited, wondering what Jason was doing. He didn't see any lights reflected through the windows, but he wasn't at the right angle to see out of them. He longed for flashing blue and red lights to fill every space of the house, but there was nothing.
He listened, trying to figure out what Jason was doing, but couldn't hear anything other than a dog barking down the block. Why had none of the neighbors come out to scream at Jason to shut up or confront him?
Something hard banged from the living room and Aydin turned, pressing his back to the wall as he moved in that direction so he could try to see what was going on. When another bang happened, Aydin nearly screamed. Was he trying to break a window? There was a large picture window in the living room. It was more than big enough for Jason to climb through if he broke it.
If he went out the back, could he get over the fence to Matt's house? And what if Matt wasn't home? What would he do then? He'd have to keep running. It was risky but probably better than staying in the house. Despite Kent's warning to hide in the bathroom, he just couldn't do that. He'd be a sitting duck without a way to escape in the bathroom.
He had the gun, but what if he missed? What if Jason got the gun from him? He just wasn't confident enough using it to trust he could do what he needed to. Too many things could go wrong.
"Aydin, open the fucking door. You're hiding like a child." Jason's voice was now filled with anger.
Why wasn't anyone coming to help? How long had it been since he'd pressed the button on the alarm?
"Aydin, we're going to talk tonight. I'm done with these games you're playing. You know we belong together." Jason tried the door handle again.
He wasn't usually a praying man, but Aydin closed his eyes and said a silent prayer that he'd survive. When he opened them again, he was shocked to find flashing blue and red lights reflecting off the living room wall. Help had come. Relief swept through him. It was almost over. He was safe. Or so he thought, because a second later a loud gunshot rang out and Aydin hit the floor.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Kent's heart raced as he sped toward the house. He'd just been finishing a report on a fight he'd broken up at one of the local bars when he'd been alerted by his phone that the security system had been activated at his house. One look at the app showed someone calling for help in the house. He'd only been about five minutes away from home, but it felt like hours as he'd fought through traffic to get there.
Other officers were responding, but that didn't matter. He wouldn't relax until he knew that Aydin was okay. Why hadn't he insisted on him getting a phone? One call could update him on what was going on and let him know if Aydin was okay. He'd let Aydin's need for independence win out when he'd promised to buy a phone after payday. It had only been a few days away, so Kent had agreed. Big mistake.
He called in his location as he pulled into his neighborhood, siren on, and lights flashing. He wanted that asshole to know the police were there. If he had Aydin, he would know he wouldn't get away with him. If that was his plan. He could just want to kill Aydin, which was a thought Kent wouldn't let himself even consider.
He saw Jason's car in the driveway when he pulled up in front of the house. Cautious and knowing he was breaking protocol by not waiting for backup, Kent got out of the car, but stayed on the driver's side, gun in hand as he scanned the area. A figure stood on the front porch and turned as Kent got out. In the darkness, it was impossible to confirm it was Jason, but the size of the shadowed man fit.
"Hands up," Kent called, still staying back behind the protection of his squad car.
"Fuck you," the voice of a man echoed through the night.
"Put your hands up come down the steps," Kent called as another officer pulled up behind him. He didn't take his attention off the man. They were trained for this. He trusted the other officer to have his back.
Red and blue lights flashed through the neighborhood and Kent hoped his neighbors were all smart enough to stay inside. He prayed Aydin had done what he'd told him to and gone to the bathroom and locked himself inside.
The figure on the porch turned and started down the stairs, then as if changing his mind, went back up and slammed on the door. "Aydin, come talk to me. The police are here and will keep you safe. Open the door."
Kent's gut tightened as he prayed Aydin wouldn't open that door. He had no idea what Jason was up to, but he wasn't just here to talk, Kent was sure of it. "I said put your hands up and come away from the house."
Another officer pulled up and got out of his car, also staying on the far side of his car, gun drawn. Sweat trickled down Kent's neck as he tried to see if Jason was armed. He wished the porch lights were on, but working evenings he wasn't used to worrying about it. Aydin wouldn't have thought to turn them on.
"You want me, come get me." Jason turned and started down the steps, coming toward Kent's squad car.
"Stay back and put your hands up." Kent aimed the gun at Jason.
"Fuck you." Jason's hand went to his waist and a second later he lifted a gun, aiming it in Kent's direction.
Gunshots rang out from three directions and Jason fell to the ground, his gun falling from his hands and bouncing once before landing on the lawn several feet from where he lay. There was a second of silence before Kent and the other two officers slowly preceded forward, guns still drawn and ready to fire again if Jason moved.
Kent was aware of one of his fellow officers calling in the report that shots were fired, the suspect was down, and an ambulance was requested, but Kent barely listened as he approached Jason. He stared down at the injured, maybe dead man, confirming his identity. "Deal with him. I need to check on Aydin." He hurried up to the front door, pulling his keys out of his pocket while also banging on the door. "Aydin, open up. It's Kent." He struggled to get the key in the lock as he prayed Aydin was safe. If he was in the bathroom, he might not hear him yelling and think it was Jason pounding. "Aydin, it's me. I'm opening the door."
Before he could twist the key in the lock, he heard the lock open from inside and a moment later, the door opened. Aydin stared at him, pale and shaking, but appearing safe and unharmed.
"Kent?" Aydin threw himself into his arms.
"Easy, it's over." Kent moved them into the house, not wanting Aydin to see Jason lying in the front yard. He had no clue if he was dead or alive, but it wasn't a sight he wanted Aydin to have to live with. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. He pounded and screamed a lot. Made threats he'd find a way in, but you got here first." Aydin was shaking badly as Kent got him to the kitchen and sat him down.
"You're safe. Jason won't be bothering you again."
"You shot him?"
"He was shot." Kent figured three times because he doubted any of them missed. "I don't know his condition. I left him out with the others while I made sure you were safe." He ran his hand down Aydin's cheek. "Let me get you some water." He wasn't sure how to help Aydin relax. He'd never seen him so shaken. Not that he blamed him after everything that just happened.
"I'm okay." Aydin's voice still shook as he spoke. He lifted a gun from the back of his pants and set it on the table. "I thought I might have to use this."
Kent smiled. "I'm glad you had it with you." He checked to make sure the safety was still on and pushed it farther across the table. "You did everything right."
"It took so long for you to get here." Aydin stared at him.
"Less than five minutes, but I'm sure to you it felt like much longer." Kent stood and pulled a bottle of water from the fridge. He opened it and handed it to Aydin just as another officer walked in.
"Is this the homeowner?" the officer asked.
"I'm the homeowner," Kent informed him. "This is my boyfriend, and the guy outside is the man who's been stalking him. Jason Williams, Congressman William's son."
"Shit." The officer sighed.
"Yeah, it's going to be a mess. Condition?" Kent asked.
The officer shook his head.
"He's dead?" Aydin's eyes went wide. "Really?"
"He pulled a gun on me, and we all shot him." Kent wasn't going to sugarcoat the truth. It would all come out later. "In a bit, they're going to come to question you. I won't be able to be with you when they do. You just tell them everything that happened, and you'll be fine."
Aydin shook his head. "Do I need a lawyer?"
"I don't think so, but we can find you one if you want."
"Call Jay. Chris's husband. He'll come. I want to be sure this is all done legally so his father can't blame us." Aydin's eyes filled with tears. "What if they go after you?"
"Everything is on our body cameras. You don't need to worry about anything." The other officer smiled. "Make your call and I'll go try and keep this from hitting the ten o'clock news." The officer turned and walked out.
"Do you have his number?" Kent asked.
"In my room. I'll get it." Aydin went to stand.
"Stay there. I'll grab it and call him. Where in your room?"
"On a paper on my dresser. It's got a bunch of numbers on it. You want Chris's number since it's night. I have Jay's office number on there. Tell Chris who you are and why you're calling." Aydin wiped a hand over his eyes. He wasn't crying, but it wouldn't take much to get him there.
Kent nodded. "I'll be right back." He hurried down the hall, inspecting the house as he went, looking for signs that Jason had tried to break in. He didn't see anything. He got the number and hurried back to the kitchen. He sat down beside Aydin and made the call.
"Hello?" a man answered.
"Chris, this is Kent McKay, I'm Aydin's boyfriend. He's hoping to get hold of your husband tonight if possible. He might need a lawyer."
"Of course. One moment. Is Aydin okay?" There was movement as if Chris was getting up to take the phone to the other room.
"He's fine. His stalker is dead, and he just wants to make sure any interviews or questions aren't going to come back on him." Kent didn't want to say too much until he was talking to Jay.
"Tell him to call me if he needs anything. In fact, I'll come with Jay. I'm not sure what I can do, but I need to be there for him." Chris said something to someone that Kent couldn't make out, then was back on the phone. "Should I call Trevor?"
"If you want but let them know they shouldn't come. Aydin will call him tomorrow and talk to him. Tonight, we just need a lawyer."
"Sure, here's Jay. He can help," Chris said.
"Hello?" a deeper voice answered.
"Hi, we were given your name to help—"
"I'm up to date on the situation up until tonight. Chris and Trevor have both kept me informed. What happened tonight?" Jay asked.
Kent explained everything he knew about what had happened. "Being this case might be made into something bigger due to it being the congressman's son, Aydin would like to make sure everything is by the book. Is it possible for you to come over and sit in while he's being questioned tonight?"
"Of course. And what about you? Do you need me to find someone to stand with you?" Jay asked.
"I'm good. It was a justified shooting. I'll be on paid leave for a few days while it's investigated, but I don't think I need any legal assistance. If I do, the department takes care of that for us." Kent heard more activity out front and knew they were running out of time. He quickly gave Jay their address and ended the call as he turned back to Aydin. "He's on his way."
"Thanks." Aydin sighed. "I can't believe it's over."
Kent stooped beside him. "It's going to be a rough couple of days as they work through everything, but he's no longer a risk to you. Don't speak to anyone without Jay with you. We have no idea what the congressman will try to do, but we don't want to make it worse. For now, let Jay handle everything. He'll know what to do."
"McKay, I need you out here." A large man in uniform came to the doorway of the kitchen. "Everyone okay?"
Kent nodded. "We're fine. I was just making sure Aydin wasn't hurt. His lawyer is on the way, then you can talk to him."
The officer made a face. "Was that necessary?"
"We're dealing with the congressman's son. I'd rather be safe than sorry." Kent touched Aydin's shoulder. "Stay here. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Aydin nodded.
As Kent headed out front to do his job, he wished he could tear off his badge and forget being a cop. He wanted to be back in the house with Aydin. As he stepped out the front door, he saw Matt on his porch, looking worried. He waved. "We're all okay," he called. He saw Matt's shoulders relax as he waved back with a nod.
The body still lay on the front path that led up to the house. Paramedics were standing nearby, but there was nothing they could do now. The medical examiner would come for the body. Neighbors all looked on and he wondered what the rumors would be. Matt would help talk to people, but no one would like to have this happen in their neighborhood. Kent didn't care. The fact was, it was over, and he wouldn't have to deal with a threat to Aydin again. They could finally pick up the pieces and move forward, focusing on being happy together without the past coming back to haunt them. He just had to get through tonight and everything would be okay.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Aydin curled up beside Kent in the large bed at the hotel room they were once again at. It had been a long day. It wasn't until nearly eight in the morning that they'd been allowed to leave the house. He'd spent hours talking to the police, going back over everything that had happened with Jason over the last few months.
Jay had been amazing, keeping the detectives from pushing Aydin too hard, and keeping them to facts. He wouldn't have known what to do or say if Jay hadn't been there. It had been the longest night of his life as he worried about Kent and what was happening to him, but when he'd walked out of the kitchen after giving his statement, he'd found Kent in the living room waiting for him.
"Can't relax?" Kent asked softly.
"Trying. Just a lot on my mind." Aydin turned and rested his head on Kent's shoulder. It was only four in the afternoon, but after being up all night, they'd showered and decided to take a long nap once they got to the hotel. "I just can't understand how it got this bad."
Kent kissed his forehead. "I wish I had answers for you. I don't know why people act the way they do."
"Are you okay? You might have killed him." Aydin looked up into Kent's eyes.
"I'm fine. He was going to shoot at me. It doesn't matter if my bullet killed him or one of the others. He aimed a gun at a police officer. It's not the first time I've had to use my weapon, and sadly, it probably won't be the last. When I think about it all, I'm just glad he can't hurt you any longer. If for a second I thought about feeling sorry for him, all I'd have to do is remember the way you looked lying on the floor, bleeding, and any sympathy for him would be gone." Kent caressed his arm.
"What happens now?" Aydin asked.
"There will be an investigation, but we've got records of everything Jason did. I don't think anything more will happen. We'll go back home tomorrow and try and go on with our lives. Will you be okay staying in the house again?"
"Oh yeah, that doesn't bother me. I'm pissed that he caused more damage. That cracked window won't be cheap to fix. I'll pay you back once I can."
"That's what insurance is for. It's not a big deal. One thing we are going to do this week is get you a phone. I never want to be without a way to contact you again. I had no idea what was going on inside the house last night. I kept imagining the worst."
Aydin smiled. "I agree. I wanted a phone last night too. I had no idea if the security system really worked, and I swear it felt like an hour from the time I pressed that button to the time you pulled up."
"Time seems to slow when you're under stress. I was doing paperwork about five minutes from the house. I got there as fast as I could when my phone alerted me. Ten minutes earlier and I would have been in the middle of clearing a fight and taken longer." Kent moved to tighten his arm around Aydin. "Do you like Jay?"
"He was amazing. He thought to ask things I would have never thought. I'm glad we called him. I feel bad we kept him up all night, but I'm so glad he was there. I'll have to figure out how to pay him, but I'm glad Chris gave me his name just in case. He promised to handle anything else that happened. I'm nervous about the congressman and what he'll do once he gets back in town." They'd contacted the congressman in Washington D.C., and he was flying home. Aydin had no idea what the fallout would be, but he was worried about it. Congressman Williams wasn't the type to let something like this go. He'd want someone to pay for killing his son.
"There's not much he can do. The fact is, his son pulled a gun on three police officers. The video evidence will back that up. Nothing he says will change that. He can't lie or pay his way out of this. His son is gone no matter what. If anything, maybe it will wake the congressman up to the fact he shouldn't have helped get his son out of trouble. Had Jason been locked up or gotten help, maybe none of this would have happened." Kent hugged Aydin tightly. "Enough about this. I want you to relax. Change of subject. I'm curious what all the papers are in my office and where the pizza came from last night."
