“Thanks, Cam,” she says, pressing PLAY on the movie. I’m not in the mood to watch anything, but I guess I have no choice. It’s going to be a long night. I pull out my phone and send a text to Jo.
I miss you. What are you doing?
She replies after a few minutes.
In bed watching TV. She doing okay? I miss you too.
I glance up at Elizabeth to find her watching me.
“Are you going to watch the movie or be a phone snob?” she teases, and for a moment I simply wish I was snuggled in bed with Jo, watching whatever she is. I bet it’s better than what Elizabeth has picked for us, some college movie. I reply to Jo to try to prove my point.
What are you watching? Yes, all good.
My phone beeps instantly.
Supernatural.
Fuck.
See? She really is perfect for me. There couldn’t have been a better response. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here watching some other crap.
What season?
I put my phone down on the couch and grab some popcorn from the bowl, shoving a few kernels in my mouth. I feel like I’m at a sleepover, and not the kind I’d enjoy. Elizabeth’s watching the movie, ignoring me, for which I’m grateful. She doesn’t seem scared. I’m being an inconsiderate, selfish asshole here, and I know it, but if she was scared she has so many options, so much help that can be offered to her.
“How are your parents doing?” I ask her, hoping that they can relax now that their baby girl is home safely.
“They were so happy to hear from me,” she says, shaking her head. “Mom was crying, it was pretty hard to hear, you know? I never really thought about it from their point of view, but if Helen or someone else I cared about went missing it would be hell on earth. They sounded so tired, like they hadn’t been sleeping or eating. It was hard. I said I’d head out to visit them when I was feeling up to it.”
My phone beeps.
Season ten. Why? Are you going to give me shit about it?
“It would be rough for any parent,” I tell her as I write back to Jo. “Yours is a story with a happy ending though, and most people don’t get those.”
Why would I give you shit about it? I fuckin’ love that show.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she agrees, nodding. “I have to look on the bright side, I’m safe now. I can’t let what happened hold me back. It could have been a lot worse, and I know it. I wasn’t raped, although I would have been if they’d sold me off before you guys found me. I know I’m lucky—trust me, luckier than so many other women who have been in that situation. It’s just so fucked. I can’t understand how someone can do something like that, treat other humans that way, and live with themselves. They’re just pure evil.”
“They are,” I agree, sinking deeper into the blue suede couch. “And I’m glad we made a difference by saving you girls and tearing the operation down, but this kind of thing is something that will be an ongoing war.”
“You’re right,” she murmurs, moving closer to me. “Maybe I could turn a negative into a positive and try to help somehow.”
And there’s the Elizabeth I know. “I think that’s an amazing idea,” I say as my phone beeps again.
Dean or Sam?
Dean or Sam? Is she serious right now? I should spank her ass. Not for asking that question, which I find amusing, but just because I want to.
Ha-ha very funny!
I’ll bet she’s a Sam woman though. Tall, longish hair, yeah—she’d be all over that. I smile to myself and turn my attention back to the movie. Elizabeth takes this chance to lay her head on my shoulder. I look down at her, but she’s looking ahead and doesn’t make any further movements, so I let her be. As long as no boundaries are crossed and she doesn’t think that we’ll ever be something, then all will be fine.
I just hope that she doesn’t hate Jo for being with me.
TWENTY-FOUR
Johanna
“YOU look different,” Travis says, eyeing me from head to toe.
I look down at my uniform, wondering what the hell he’s talking about. “How so?”
“I don’t know,” he says, a puzzlement flashing in his eyes. “You just do, but I can’t pinpoint what it is.”
“Well, when you figure it out, let me know,” I say, amusement filling me. I smile and continue walking down the street next to him.
He clicks his fingers. “That’s what it is. You’re smiling. Why are you smiling so much?”
I stop in my tracks and turn to him. “Excuse me, I smile.”
“You do now,” he says, eyes narrowing. “Are you seeing someone?”
“Oh, so only a man could put a smile on my spinster face?” I joke, rolling my eyes. I’m so not telling him anything. Especially that the man putting that smile on my face is a biker. Do I seem happier now? Did I not smile at all before? Ranger came over early this morning, around six, and woke me up in a way that I’ll never tire of. He also spanked my ass when he was taking me from behind, and now it stings a little every time I sit down. Jerk. Okay, I secretly loved it, but he doesn’t need to know that. It’s much more fun that way.
“Yes,” Travis says, smirking. “You don’t want to tell me? Fine. But for the record, I’m happy for you. If he hurts you though . . .”
“If he hurts me I’ll take him down myself,” I say, stopping when we arrive at our police car. “You driving?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, opening the driver’s door. He stops and looks up at me. “By the way, Jo. It’s good to have you back.”
I grin. “Good to be back.”
It is.
And my life is now better than ever.
? ? ?
When I arrive home from work and see what I assume is Ranger’s bike there, butterflies appear in my stomach. How long has he been here? I see him sitting on my front porch, and I grin when I notice he’s actually fallen asleep, his face pressed against his palm. I unlock my front door, then sit next to him and just watch him for a second. He looks so peaceful when he’s asleep. I put my hand on his back, shaking gently.
“Ranger?”
His eyes open instantly, and he smiles slowly, wrapping his arm around me. “Babe. How was work?”
“Let’s start with why you’re having a nap on my porch.”
“I didn’t know what time you were finishing and you didn’t answer my text, so I thought I’d drop by, and when you weren’t here I was just going to wait for you. Must’ve dozed off.”
I touch my pocket where my phone is, then pull it out. It’s on silent and there are a few missed messages. “I didn’t even bother to check. How was your day?”
“Good,” he says, checking me out in my uniform. “Better now. This is the first time I’m seeing you in your uniform.”
“And?”
“And,” he says, grinning devilishly, “I think it’s time we head upstairs. Except it’s me that’s going to use those handcuffs.”
I roll my eyes as he stands up, suddenly awake and eager, offering me his hand.
“You must be hungry. Want to go out and get something to eat?”
I take his hand and he pulls me up. “You went from wanting to handcuff me to wanting to take me out for food?”
“Can’t let my baby go hungry,” he says, leading me to the door.
“It’s unlocked,” I tell him, earning me a scowl.
“Why is it unlocked?”