Safe Place, page 7
Aydin nodded, comforted by Kent's gentle touch. It grounded him and helped him to relax. "Thanks. You're right. I'm just nervous."
"You have a right to be nervous. He attacked you last time. I'd be nervous too. But you're not alone this time. You've got people to back you up." Kent removed his hand and nodded out the window. "There's our backup."
Aydin watched two squad cars pull up in front of Jason's house, one of them blocking the driveway. He had to wonder if that was planned so Jason couldn't try and sneak out and get to his car before they could stop him.
Kent rolled down his window as the officers walked over to the truck. "Thanks for helping me out today."
"Glad to. What's the plan?" one of the officers asked.
"If you could get him to step out of the house and keep him with you while we go in and grab Aydin's clothes and other belongings, that would be great. There isn't much we need to grab so it shouldn't take too long." Kent glanced at Aydin. "The owner has a history of violence, but he's also Congressman William's son so I don't think he'll give the police any problems. He'll want to keep from drawing more attention to himself, but should he give you shit, don't hesitate to cuff him and make it clear you will arrest him."
"No problem. I read the case report. I'm happy to put assholes like him in his place." The officer glanced at the other. "Let's go knock and see how friendly we're greeted."
Aydin stared, unable to take his gaze off the officers as they approached the house. When they knocked, Aydin held his breath, praying this was peaceful.
Time seemed to stop as he watched the officers knock on Jason's door. It took forever for him to answer, but after the officers knocked four times, he pulled the door open, looking angry as he stood there in his sweatpants, his hair a mess, obviously having just been woken up.
Aydin's gut twisted at the sight of him. He'd once loved that man, but now just the sight of him scared him to death. He knew how close he'd come to dying and was sure if the police hadn't shown up that night, he might be dead now.
"Breathe." Kent gripped his shoulder. "If I knew what to grab, I'd go in there for you, but I don't."
"No, I'll be okay. I was just remembering that night."
"He won't touch you."
Aydin nodded and he did believe that. The police would keep Jason from touching him. He was safe. He just had to walk inside, grab his things, and they'd be gone. It would be over. He just needed to get through the next ten to fifteen minutes. If everything was where he left it, he would be out of there quickly.
As the officers talked Jason out of the house and over to stand almost in the neighbor's yard, Kent opened his door. "Let's go do this. Grab the stuff out of the bed of my truck and we'll go get your stuff.”
Aydin stepped out of the truck just in time to hear Jason yell, "you touch any of my shit and I'll sue you."
"Don't even look at him. Just ignore him." Kent handed Aydin two folded boxes as he grabbed a box of garbage bags. "Stay by my side. We walk in and get to work. Don't say anything until we're inside."
Aydin did as he was told, keeping his gaze on the door while Jason continued to scream and curse at both him and the cops. He wanted to look to see if the police had to restrain him in any way, but he resisted. He wouldn't give Jason the pleasure of seeing the fear in his eyes, and he was sure it was there because he was scared shitless.
Once inside, Kent turned to him. "Still okay?"
"Yeah, let's get the stuff and get out of here." Aydin led him to the back bedroom. A single glance around told him that nothing had really changed. Everything appeared where it had been when he'd left. He pushed open the closet and was pleased to see all his clothes.
"Hand me stuff as you grab it and I'll shove it in the bags. We'll worry about wrinkles later." Kent opened a garbage bag.
Aydin didn't hesitate as he started pulling clothes from the closet, leaving the hangers behind to save room. They filled one bag with clothes, then tossed his shoes into another along with his favorite quilt which was still folded on the foot of the bed, and his socks and underwear from the dresser. "Just a few more things." He went to the closet and searched for his box of pictures and things he'd kept from the past. He started to panic when it wasn't where he left it, but then relaxed as he found it shoved over on Jason's side of the closet. He opened it, hoping everything was there but didn't have time to do a full inventory of everything. He would just have to hope everything was there and Jason hadn't taken anything but the ring out of the box. He then went to the nightstand and opened the drawer, pulling out an old Bible his grandmother had given him and a mystery novel he'd been reading. It would give him something to do during the long nights at the shelter.
"I think that's all." Aydin looked around, mentally recalling everything he'd tried to remember when he'd planned this.
"Nothing in the other rooms?"
"Nothing that matters enough. I want to check the laundry room just to be sure, but I think this is everything." He quickly ran to the laundry room, finding it piled with Jason's dirty clothes. Without Aydin there, he'd have to do his own and Aydin wasn't even sure if Jason knew how.
"What about the bathroom? Electric razor or anything like that?"
"Oh, that's a good idea. Better than the disposable ones the shelter offers." He ran in and grabbed his razor and a few other toiletries he had. Then, just so he'd have a nice towel, he grabbed one of the clean towels and a washcloth from the cupboard and shoved it in the bag. "That's it."
They hadn't needed the boxes. He'd fit everything in two garbage bags. What did that say about his life? Still, it was more than he thought he'd had just a few days ago. He'd at least have more clothes now for when he worked in the bakery.
"Ready?" Kent picked up one bag and the unused boxes.
"Yeah." Aydin took the other bag and the box of garbage bags. As he followed Kent out, he gave the house one last glance, glad to be leaving it all behind. It was never his home. Everything was done how Jason liked it. They bought furniture he liked, cleaned the way Jason liked, and decorated only how Jason liked. He would start fresh in his own apartment where he could do anything he wanted, even leave dirty socks on the floor for the night if he wanted to. The relief he felt walking out the door surprised him. He was finally free. He wouldn't have to deal with Jason again.
"Better not have touched my stuff," Jason yelled.
Ignoring him, Aydin made sure the bags were securely shut and tossed them in the back of the truck. While Kent went to talk to the officer, Aydin climbed into the truck and resisted the urge to lock the doors. He watched in the side mirror as Kent spoke to the officers, ignoring Jason's obvious ranting at him. He wondered what Jason was saying, but didn't dare roll down the window.
He was relieved when Jason went back into the house and Kent headed for the truck. They were almost in the clear.
"Glad that's done." Kent got behind the steering wheel and put on his seatbelt.
"Me too. What did he say?"
"He thought I was your new boyfriend. Wasn't very happy about it either. Made a few threats but backed down quickly when he remembered the police were there and listening to everything."
"I'm sorry. Now if he ever sees you again, he'll tell everyone you're gay and stole his boyfriend."
Kent laughed. "Well, I am gay, so that won't do much to offend me and we went in there wanting him to think we're friends. Being your boyfriend is even better. He sees you've moved on and will hopefully leave you alone. He clearly didn't remember me from the night we arrested him."
Aydin glanced at Kent. "You look entirely different out of uniform."
"Better, I hope."
"Yeah, though you still look sexy in uniform too." Aydin realized what he said and covered his mouth. "Sorry, I just meant you don't look bad either way."
Kent laughed again. "I'll take sexy. It's been a long time since anyone's called me that."
Aydin hoped his cheeks weren't as red as they felt.
"Anyway, we'll run by my house, and you can go through the bags. You can do a load of laundry if you want, and I'll fix us something for lunch. Once you've decided what clothes to store and what to take with you, I'll run you back to the shelter."
"You don't have to feed me, but I would like a chance to grab some clothes. They're clean."
"But wrinkled."
"Hardly my biggest worry right now. I'm just happy to have a few more shirts and pants to get through the week. And underwear. I've been commando since the attack."
"You should have said something. I would have gotten you some." Kent looked appalled.
"Thanks, but it's okay. I get paid on Friday and had planned on getting some. Now I won't have to. I can only carry so much anyway. It really sucks having to carry everything with me every time I leave the shelter."
"I still can't believe they sent you there. It's not an environment productive in helping people even though the state claims it is."
"I've learned that. I felt like they didn't know what to say when I mentioned I wanted to get into an apartment as soon as possible. It was like they aren't used to anyone leaving the shelter once they're there."
"They probably aren't. The drug problem in that area is huge. Even with them moving a large portion of the population to other areas, they all still seem to congregate downtown. The only thing that's really changed is we have fewer beds and resources for those in the area." Kent merged into traffic on the main road. "There are a few new places that are making a difference. A young adult or youth shelter that some movie star just opened a few years ago, and two low-income apartment complexes which I think your boss opened. I didn't pay close attention to the details, but I remember his name involved in their construction. The problem is that someone has to want help to take advantage of those programs. They aren't open to just anyone and I hear you have to go through counseling and keep a job to stay in them."
"Might be the apartments Trevor mentioned to me. He said there were strict rules to get into them if he had openings. I'd guess there is a waiting list a mile long."
"Maybe not if continued employment is one of the mandates. I'm guessing not many who are living on the streets or in the shelter are keeping full-time jobs as well. You're one of the few who are really working to get out of there."
Aydin shrugged. "That makes my chances of getting a place better. Until then, I'll save and focus on getting into any place I can as soon as I have enough money saved."
"Did you have a career before you quit work in hopes of starting a family?"
"I'm an accountant. I had a great job before Jason came along. I shouldn't have trouble finding another good job once I have a solid address and a place to shower and keep clean clothes. But I'm not sure I'll quit the bakery. I might have to change my hours, but I love the job. Trevor's isn't bad either, but he can't pay me what I can make as an accountant, besides, I feel like once I'm on my feet, I need to move on so he can help out someone else. Talking to the others that work there, most of them were homeless at one point or another."
"He's an impressive man with a great reputation. I'm glad you're working with him." Kent turned into a neighborhood.
"So am I." Aydin took in the nice homes in the area. They weren't the most expensive in the valley, but they were definitely nice. Much nicer than his had been with Jason. "Nice area."
"Thanks." Kent turned into a driveway of a two-story home with a pillared front porch, but what drew his attention was the large shop at the back of the driveway. "That's not a garage, it's a shop." The structure was nearly as tall as the house and had two large garage doors on the front.
"I told you I had room to store stuff. The previous owner restored older model cars. I use it for storage right now. Someday I'd like to make a man cave out of the place. Put in a pool table, couches, and big screen TV."
"That sounds amazing. It's the perfect spot for something like that."
"We'll unload the truck and move everything in there. You can go through your clothes there." Kent pulled the keys from the ignition and got out.
Aydin followed, a sense of freedom coming over him at having gotten his things back and cutting all ties with Jason. One more step toward taking back his life.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kent watched as Aydin took each item of clothing from the bag and folded it, then set it in a pile of stuff to return to the bag or take with him. He hated that he couldn't take it all. Kent had a ton of clothes, many he didn't wear very often, but he would hate not having the option to wear an item if he wanted to. His heart ached for what Aydin was facing.
It pissed him off that they'd sent him to the homeless shelter. He'd thought for sure there would be some halfway house or something for domestic victims. He saw them advertised for women all over the place.
"I'm going to run in and make us some lunch. Just set the bags on that shelf when you've sorted them, then come in the backdoor. You can't miss the kitchen." Kent figured Aydin didn't need someone staring after him.
"You don't need to feed me." Aydin glanced up.
"Have you eaten today?"
Aydin dropped his gaze.
"Well, I haven't either. I had two cups of coffee before I came to get you. I'm starving. I'd enjoy the company. It's not much. I thought I'd just make some sandwiches. You like turkey, don't you?"
Aydin nodded, once again looking up at Kent. "Thank you."
"Not a problem. Take your time in here. Don't feel rushed. I have no plans for the rest of the day, so we can relax a bit before I take you back. Unless you want to hurry back."
Aydin smiled. "I'd like to hang out for a while. Thanks. I should be in shortly. I'm about to run out of room to carry stuff."
"Would you like to borrow another backpack? I have several."
"Thanks, but it's too much to lug around. I'm good. I'll make this work."
"Then I'll see you inside." Kent left Aydin to finish up. He didn't want him to feel like he didn't trust him. Oddly, despite hardly knowing the guy, he knew in his heart Aydin wasn't going to steal from him or do anything to risk his trust. Maybe he'd learned to read people after being a cop for so long, but he knew Aydin was a good person who just found himself in a fucked-up situation.
Kent went into the kitchen and pulled out everything he'd need to make sandwiches and started to make lunch. As he worked, he thought about everything he knew about Aydin. Despite being literally beaten down, he pushed back up and was making sure he didn't stay down. He had two good jobs, and goals he was focused on to get back on his feet. That determination said a lot about the man Aydin was.
Once the sandwiches were done, he put them on a plate and stuck them in the fridge, then found a bag of chips they could have with them. He couldn't help but want to feed Aydin. If he wasn't working over the weekends, he probably wasn't eating well. The soup kitchen served dinners, but that was hardly enough to keep a grown man going. How was it that Aydin was the one beaten and attacked, yet Jason had a home and food, while Aydin had to starve and build his life back? It was hardly fair.
He'd never thought about it before, but it was almost always the victim of a domestic situation that had to leave and find shelter. He'd assisted many women over the years. Luckily, most had family or friends to help, but almost all of them had to leave the home they were living in.
He couldn't think about it too much or he'd get angry. Life was hardly fair. He'd lived it with his own father and knew now why his mother had feared leaving the marriage. He still didn't forgive her for keeping them in the situation, but at least he understood that it wasn't as simple as just walking out the door and starting over.
He glanced up as the sliding door opened in the back and smiled. "Hey, get everything sorted?"
"I did. Thanks again for offering to store my stuff and going with me to get it. You have no idea how much it means to me to have it back and know it's safe." Aydin walked into the kitchen. "Mind if I wash my hands?"
"Sure, you can do it here or the bathroom is at the end of the hallway." He pointed.
"I'll borrow your bathroom." Aydin quickly turned to go down the hall.
Kent pulled out the sandwiches and set them on the table, then set the bag of chips in the middle of it. He pulled a soda out for himself but waited to grab something for Aydin until he could decide what he wanted.
"You have an amazing home." Aydin walked back in.
"Thanks. What do you want to drink? I have soda, water, milk, beer?"
"Soda works. Whatever you have." Aydin glanced at the table. "That looks good."
"Hope you like it. Have a seat." Kent gestured to a chair before grabbing a drink for Aydin. Once he had it, he sat down across from him. "I'm a sandwich junky. I'm usually too tired after work to cook so these are my go-to."
"You don't eat on shift? You go all afternoon without food?"
"Not always, but some nights I'm too busy to take a break. Besides, when I eat at five or six, I'm hungry again by the time I get home." Kent took a bite of his sandwich.
"How long have you been a cop?"
"About ten years. No, maybe twelve." He shook his head, surprised at how fast the years had gone by. "I was a cop in Oklahoma for a while, then decided to come out west. I hired on here and haven't looked back."
"Why out west?"
"Honestly, I wanted somewhere without tornadoes. My hometown was destroyed two years in a row due to tornadoes. I was done with it. Some weeks it felt like those sirens were going off almost nightly. They weren't, but it sure felt like it. I was ready for change. Utah had a good reputation and a good sign-on bonus. I decided to give it a chance. Best move I ever made."
"What about family?"
"I left home at sixteen and never looked back. It wasn't a good place. My mother died about five years ago, and my father, well, I don't know or care where he is."
Aydin nodded. "My mom is in Texas, but like you, I never went back once I got out. She wasn't the nicest of people. I think that's why I'm so angry at myself for letting this happen with Jason. I knew the signs. I grew up with a very manipulative and controlling mother. I should have noticed the signs before it got as bad as it did."
