Hetch (Men OF S.W.A.T #1)(33)

“Well, I’m not sure if my brother has it in him to fix the pain he’s put you through, but I hope for your sake he does. ’Cause if he hurts you again, Pay, I won’t be able to control myself,” I warn on a shaky breath.

“Believe me, he messes up, you can have him after I’m done with him. Trust me on this. I’ve laid it out. He steps out again, he loses his family.” I almost make a snide remark about him not worrying about the loss of his family the first time he stepped out on her, but I only just got my best friend talking to me again. I’m not about to piss her off in less than five minutes.

“I’m happy for you, Pay. I am.”

“I know you’re not really, but you will be again. You’ll see. I promise. He’ll win you back too.” It’s a big call, a big chance she is willing to take. I pray more than anything, Jett can man up.

Not just for Payton’s sake, but for the sweet little girl of ours.



“You sure you don’t want to stay the night?” my dad asks after dinner as he and my mom walk me out to my car. Payton, Jett, and Arabella left an hour ago, but I stayed back and helped Mom clean up.

“As much as I love the thought of sleeping in the same bed I slept in when I was a teenager, my king bed is calling me after sleeping in Fee’s uncomfortable guest bed for two nights. Besides, I’m back to work tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you’re okay to go back to work. Has the doctor given you the all clear?” My mom worries at her bottom lip.

“Mom, it’s barely a bruised rib and a slight concussion. Besides, I’m not back at the house tomorrow anyway. I’m in meetings all day at head office.” I turn and wrap my arms around her, in a good-bye hug. “Love you, thanks for dinner.”

“Love you, too. Call us when you get home. And make sure you tell the nice police officer neighbor thank you again for looking after you.” I reluctantly agree, stupid Hetch, then turn and give my father the same love.

“Night, Dad, love you.”

“Love you, Bertie.” He kisses me on the top of the head and then releases me. They stay out the front, my mom lovingly tucked up under my dad’s arm, waving me off until I turn the corner.

The drive home is quick, and soon enough, I’m pulling into my parking spot. My gaze shifts to Hetch’s parking spot and I'm relieved his truck isn’t there. I know we probably should discuss what happened the other night between us, and the fact he came to find me at my parents’ house, and at some stage we will, but for now, I’m happy to keep laying low.

Grabbing the leftovers my mom sent home with me, I make my way up to my apartment. Climbing the stairs with a hell of a lot more ease than I had two days ago, I come up short when I notice my front door is open, slightly ajar

What the hell. Did Hetch lock up?

I slow my pace and take stock of the situation. Pulling out my phone, I contemplate dialing 911, but before I know it, I’m pushing the door open and calling out.

“Hello? Anyone here?” I step over the threshold into a chaotic mess. The place has been ransacked. Drawers and cupboards lay open, their contents littering the floor and counter tops.

Oh, God, what a state.

Ignoring my need to start tidying everything. I continue past the relatively untouched kitchen and down the hall, and into my bedroom. I’m only slightly relieved to see they didn’t mess with my bed; however, my underwear drawer is another story.

“Assholes.” I sigh, looking down at the hundreds of dollars’ worth of panties I will never be able to wear again.

“Liberty?” My name carries down the hall, and instantly I freeze.

Shit, Hetch.

“Yeah, I’m here.” I walk back down the hall to find him standing just inside the doorway.

He clocks me when I step into the room, his assessment of my living room coming to an end, his gaze burning right through me.

“What the f*ck?” are his first words to me, and it takes me a second to figure out if he is asking where the f*ck I’ve been the last two days, or what the f*ck happened to my place. Taking a guess he’s talking about the place, I answer accordingly.

“Welcome home gift I guess.” I shrug, not sure what else to say.

“Yeah, some gift, you call it in?” He takes a step toward me but tracks my retreat. The last time I saw him I had my tongue down his throat, begging for his cock, only for him to reject me. The last two days I’ve been trying to get him out of my head, but the second I’m back in his presence, I know I can’t trust myself.

“No.” I swallow past the impulsive need to climb his stupid thick body and stick my tongue down his throat.

Hetch, oblivious to my internal dilemma, pulls out his cell and starts dialing a number.

“Who are you calling?”

“The police. This has to do with Dominic and his crew.”

“Yeah, it’s a warning. I knew I shouldn’t have made a statement.” I chance a step closer to him, wanting him to take me seriously. This is getting out of hand. I’m not going to put myself at risk.

“Liberty, I’m calling it in. This f*cker is messing with the wrong person.” He turns, offers me his wide shoulders, and barks his name and badge number down the line.

I stand awkwardly for a few minutes while he requests backup to our address.