Darby's Decision, page 5
“Actually, I have some personal things here that I’d like to take with us too.” Gage glanced at the officers. “Can you give me five minutes?”
“Sure,” the younger cop agreed. The older cop simply scowled.
Darby accompanied Gage to his room and waited for him to pack his bag. Within minutes, they were back inside the motel lobby with their things.
She and Gage were put in the back seat of the squad, with the metal grate separating them from the two officers. A flashback of the time she’d been arrested hit hard, and she pressed a hand to her stomach in an attempt to ward off the urge to throw up.
Six years suddenly seemed like yesterday. When Gage reached over to take her hand, she glanced at him in surprise.
“I know it’s rough,” he whispered. “But we’re the victims here.”
She nodded, understanding he felt the same way about being in the back of the police car. If it wasn’t for the fact that they needed to escape the motel without being followed, Darby sensed Gage would have insisted on driving separately.
It was a humble reminder of how far she’d come since that fateful day. And how little it would take to send her stumbling back in time.
When they arrived at the East Knoxville police station, she and Gage were split up, each taken into a different interrogation room. Darby tightly clasped her hands in her lap, trying to fight a surge of panic.
Gage was right, they were the victims here. But, deep down, she knew they could never completely erase their past mistakes.
Despite the way they’d both turned their lives around, staying clean, working jobs, staying far away from their former drug addict friends, their respective criminal records would be with them forever.
And there wasn’t a single thing they could do to change that.
Gage worried about how Darby was holding up as he eyed the older of the two cops sitting across from him. The guy’s last name was Crow, and weirdly, Gage considered him to be just like the opportunistic bird.
“You served four years for drug dealing,” Crow said.
Gage refused to be baited. “Was that a question?”
Crow glared at him. “And you believe the guy you ratted out has come to seek revenge.”
“Yes. Tyrone Reyes and or Niles Archer.” He wanted to cooperate, but this was feeling less like a questioning session and more like an interrogation.
“And have you seen either of these two men?” Crow asked.
“No.” Gage leaned forward. “But you found the slug in the side of the motel. And there’s proof Darby’s cable broke, nearly killing her. I don’t have to see them to know one or both of them are out there.”
“You’re telling me these are the only two men on the planet who have a beef against you?” Crow’s expression was skeptical. “You were a drug dealer. I’m sure there are plenty of others out there who might want to hurt you.”
Gage suppressed a sigh. “But these are the two men who were ratted out by both me and Darby. Sure, I might have more enemies out there, but not her.”
“From what I can tell, she ratted you out,” Crow said with a smirk. “I find it interesting you two are hanging out together.”
“Darby’s turning me in to the police was the best thing that could have happened to me.” He looked Crow dead in the eye. “I’m a different person now than I was back then.” Thanks to the Bible study he’d done with Pastor Davies.
The cop shrugged. “If you say so.”
Gage battled a wave of frustration, holding on to his temper with an effort. Once he’d have given in to the urge to wipe the smirk off the cop’s face, but he managed to refrain. Despite finding the bullet lodged in the wall at the motel, the guy wasn’t taking this attempt against them seriously. All because of Gage’s criminal background. “That’s not important,” he said tersely. “The fact that someone tried to shoot us is the issue here. And no matter what my criminal record says, I have a right to be treated with respect. So does Darby Walsh.”
Crow’s eyes narrowed, but then he shrugged. “Of course. Do you have anything else to add to your statement?”
“No.” Gage considered pulling the two articles they’d printed in the library from his pocket but deemed it a waste of time. Maybe the day shift officer looking into the zip line cable would be more interested in the recent gunfire. Crow couldn’t obviously care less.
“Then you’re free to go.” Crow stood, staring down at him for a long moment. “See that you stay on the straight and narrow while you’re staying in my neck of the woods. You still have three months left of probation. You cross the line, I’ll toss you right back in jail.”
“Yes, sir.” Gage refused to let the cop get to him. After four years in prison, he was used to being talked down to, being treated as scum of the earth. The crimes he’d committed meant he’d deserved jail time, no question about that. But he wasn’t a criminal any longer. And he didn’t buy into the old adage that once a criminal, always a criminal.
Gage followed Crow from the room, glancing around for Darby. Crow led him down the hall to the small lobby. “You can wait for your girlfriend here.”
He didn’t bother to correct the guy. Instead, he leaned against the wall to wait. He hoped the fact that Darby’s interview was taking longer meant the officer was doing a thorough job of obtaining any and all critical information.
Fifteen minutes later, Darby joined him. “How long have you been waiting here?” she asked with a frown.
“Not long. How did it go? Did you get any insight into the zip line cable incident?”
“No, but Officer Rauland agreed to check into that for me.” She sent him a sidelong glance as they walked outside. “How did your conversation go?”
“Not sure Officer Crow cares whether they arrest the shooter or not, but at least the attempt against us has been documented.” He shrugged. “It’s better than nothing.”
Her gaze softened. “I’m sorry. It really sucks to be treated like a loser.”
He offered a lopsided smile. “Like I said, at least the shooting is on record. And if the investigation stalls, we can always go up the chain of command.” During his four-year stint in prison, he’d only filed one complaint. Looking back, he figured the only reason he’d gotten the warden’s attention at all was because Pastor Davies had probably put in a good word for him.
Pushing the memories aside, he used his phone to call for a rideshare.
“Where are we going?” Darby asked, sticking close to his side.
“I saw a sign for a place called the Rustic Roadhouse.” It was one of the few that appeared to be in his price range. “We should be fine there for the rest of the night.”
“Okay.” Darby glanced nervously over her shoulder. “If you think so.”
He loosely draped his arm around her. “We’re going to be okay, Darby.”
She leaned against him, and he wasn’t going to lie, he liked having Darby close. She’d been staying near his side since the gunfire, out of fear most likely. Especially since she’d made it clear she was not interested in picking up where they’d left off.
In a way, he was glad about that. Oh, he was still attracted to her, more than any other woman he’d met in the nearly two years he’d been out of jail. Yet he and Darby had both changed in the six years they were apart.
Changed for the better. And he secretly hoped this time together would provide the foundation for them having a fresh start.
For Leo’s sake.
“Has Edith checked in with you?” He glanced at her. “I’d like to know she and Leo are doing okay.”
“Yes. She texted that Leo loved the water park and fell asleep without issue.” Her gaze softened. “I miss it when I don’t get to tuck him in at night.”
“I can imagine.” He wanted to ask if there might be a time when he’d be allowed to tuck Leo into bed, but their rideshare car pulled up.
“Gage?” the driver called.
“Yes.” He drew Darby toward the waiting car and opened the door for her. When they were both seated, he leaned forward. “Please take us to the Burger Barn located on Elm Street.”
Darby frowned. “I thought,” she began, but he squeezed her hand.
“It’s close enough to the motel,” he said in a low voice. “We can walk from there.”
She nodded and clutched his hand tightly.
Maybe he was being paranoid, but after two attempts against Darby in one day, he wasn’t willing to take any chances. Especially not with her life.
He wanted to ask about which water park Leo and Edith were staying at but decided to keep his questions about their son to a minimum.
For now.
The trip didn’t take long, and Gage added a modest tip as they climbed from the car. “Thanks.”
The driver nodded, looking disappointed at the short trip.
Gage continued to hold Darby’s hand. “Let’s cut through behind the fast-food joint,” he suggested. “According to my map app, the motel is on the next block.”
She nodded, and together they cut through the narrow space between two buildings. Gage doubted they were followed from the police station, but he didn’t waste any time ducking into the lobby of the Rustic Roadhouse.
“Two rooms please.” He smiled at the front desk clerk, a woman who was just a few years older than he was.
“I’m sorry, I only have one room available, but it has two double beds.” The clerk eyed them curiously as if wondering why he’d requested separate rooms.
“Oh, okay. Thanks anyway.” He turned from the desk, but Darby tugged on his arm.
“We can share the room,” she said. “Platonically.”
He was surprised by her offer. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Cheaper to split the cost, right?”
“Okay, we’ll take it,” he told the clerk. He handed over his debit card, determined to pay for the room himself.
“Oh, we only accept credit cards,” the clerk said.
He nodded, having heard the same thing at the Knotty Pine. “I don’t have a credit card, sorry. But the last place I went to made an exception.”
“I don’t know,” the clerk didn’t look convinced.
“I have a credit card,” Darby said, pulling it from her purse. “Here.”
It burned to accept Darby’s help financially. “I would like to pay,” he insisted. “You can have her card on file in case there’s damage, but I would like to pay with my debit card.”
“That’s fine.” The clerk took both Darby’s credit card and his debit card. Five minutes later, they were provided two room keys. “You’re in room 201 on the second floor.”
“Thanks.” He took one of the keys and walked outside with Darby. There was a rickety old elevator, but they chose to take the stairs to the second floor.
“It’s not bad.” Darby glanced around as he set her bag on the bed closest to the bathroom.
“We’ve stayed in far worse.” The comment slipped out before he could stop it. He hadn’t meant to remind her of their previous relationship.
“True.” Darby didn’t meet his gaze, and he wondered if she regretted agreeing to the arrangement. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?”
“Help yourself.” When she disappeared into the bathroom, he dropped onto the edge of the bed and let out a heavy sigh.
Keeping an emotional distance from Darby was proving to be more difficult than he’d anticipated. More so now that they were sharing a motel room. The more time they spent together, the more he liked and admired how she’d turned herself around.
His only regret was not knowing about his son. What if he’d never come to see Darby? He still wouldn’t have known about Leo.
God had sent him here to find his son. And to keep Darby and Leo safe. Thinking back to the hint of movement he’d glimpsed, how he’d known they were in danger, only cemented his belief that God was guiding him.
“Your turn.” Darby dropped her bag onto the floor next to her bed. She wore a T-shirt and shorts as pajamas. They were nothing special, but he couldn’t help thinking she looked incredible.
“Thanks.” He took his bag into the bathroom, too, to change in private. By the time Gage emerged, he found Darby curled up in bed with her eyes closed. He doubted she’d fallen asleep so quickly but respected her wishes by easing toward his own bed and shutting off the lights.
But sleep eluded him. He brought Leo’s image into his mind and tried to imagine what it might be like to hug the little guy. He thought about Darby and how difficult it must have been for her to raise him without any financial support from him. He was glad she had Edith, the way he’d been given Pastor Davies.
“No!” Darby’s abrupt cry had him bolting out of bed.
“What is it?” He looked around wildly. “Are you okay?”
Darby blinked and looked around in confusion. “Where are we?”
“The Rustic Roadhouse.” His heart was still hammering in his chest. “Relax, Darby, you must have had a bad dream.”
“Yes. A nightmare.” She didn’t relax, though, but sat up and pushed her hair from her face. “I dreamed Reyes found Leo.”
“I’m sorry.” He sat beside her. “Leo is safe with Edith.”
“I know.” She let out a heavy sigh. “It just—seemed so real.”
He wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t want to give her the wrong impression of his intentions. She took the decision from him by leaning toward him, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her close.
“I’m sorry this is happening,” he whispered. “I hope and pray the police find Reyes and Archer before they can do any more damage.”
“Me too.” She didn’t say anything more for a long moment. “Gage? Thanks for saving my life.”
“Anytime.”
“No, really.” She lifted her head to peer at him through the darkness, broken only by the ambient light from outside. “I never expected you to shield me with your body like that. I’m glad the shooter missed.”
“I’ll always protect you, Darby.”
“I believe you.” She looked at him for a minute, then leaned forward to kiss him. It was likely a gesture of gratitude, but the moment their lips touched, the kiss morphed into something more. Something dangerous.
The hot flare of gut-clenching desire.
Chapter Five
Darby hadn’t anticipated the spontaneous combustion that resulted from her kissing Gage. It seemed impossible to still want him as much—no, more than before. For several seconds she simply clung to him, reveling in their embrace, but all too soon, Gage lifted his head, breaking off from their kiss.
“I—uh, we can’t—” He was comically at a loss for words.
“I know.” She understood what he meant. They were sharing the motel room, platonically. As per her insistence. This—whatever it was—couldn’t happen. “I’m sorry. I stepped over the line.”
“No, you were only trying to thank me.” Gage raked his hand through his hair and staggered upright. “I turned your simple kiss into something more.”
He was wrong, their kiss had changed into something deeper because the two of them together were like a match to a flame. But now that she was thinking more clearly, she appreciated his restraint. Gage’s intent to protect her was sweet, but she wasn’t interested in picking up where they’d left off.
Gage was a complication she didn’t need. Especially if he wanted to be an ongoing part of Leo’s life. What if things didn’t work out between them? They were forever linked by their adorable son.
No, she couldn’t take the risk.
“Are you okay now?” Gage’s question confused her for a moment before she realized he was referring to her nightmare.
“Yes, thanks.” She turned away and crawled back into bed, snuggling beneath the covers, listening as Gage did the same. The memory of their kiss was too fresh in her mind, and she knew sleep wouldn’t come easily.
If at all.
After an hour of staring at the wall, she finally fell back to sleep. No nightmares this time, thankfully. But when she woke up, her first thought was of her son.
She’d never spent this much time away from Leo. When she took the occasional three-day weekend off work, she and Leo would do things together in order to provide Edith a well-deserved break.
It had barely been twenty-four hours, and she already missed the little boy’s hugs.
Okay, enough with the pity party. Leo’s safety was the only thing that mattered.
She sat up in bed, noticing Gage’s bed was empty. For a moment, she wondered if he’d decided to leave, but then she dismissed the notion. This new and improved version of Gage wouldn’t do that. Not after throwing himself in front of her to protect her from gunfire.
Sitting up, Darby decided to take advantage of the ability to use the bathroom. Scooping up her duffel from the floor, she winced as her entire body was sore from her fall. Ignoring the discomfort, she quickly brushed her teeth, showered, and dried her hair. When she realized she was taking more time with her hair than usual, she tossed the brush back into her bag with a sigh of disgust.
This wasn’t about looking nice for Gage. She needed to stay focused on doing whatever they could to find Reyes or Archer.
The motel door opened, and Gage came in carrying a bag of food. “Hi, how did you sleep?”
“Great.” Not really, but she wasn’t about to admit that memories of their kiss had kept her up. “You went to get breakfast?”
“Yeah, they don’t offer a free one here. I hope I didn’t wake you.” He set the bag of food down, then reached in to draw out two cups of coffee.
She took the coffee from him, their fingers brushing ever so slightly. “How much do I owe you?”
He hesitated. “I know you wanted to pay for half the expenses, but breakfast is on me.”
“Gage . . .” She sighed. “Are you going to keep doing this for the rest of the day?”
“Probably.” He shrugged and smiled. “I can’t help it. I keep thinking of the way you raised Leo for these past five years all on your own. Paying for a few meals and our motel room is the least I can do.”
