Keeping Her Warm(20)

I let out a whistle. “That makes you an adult...” I trail off, looking at Principal Hall.

“Ren Collor.”

Fuck. Collor. “Ren Collor,” I intone.

“I want a lawyer and I want to call my dad.” No shock there. Collor is a big name in our little town. They own a lot of land round here, but that’s about it. They have old money and I don’t think anyone in the family really works anymore. I know who Ren’s father is without having to ask. Like father like son. I shake my head.

“Stand up,” I order. He does as I command. “Hands behind your back.”

“Are you fucking serious?” he says in a cocky voice.

“I’ll tell you one more time. Hands behind your back.” He does it and I can tell he’s pissed. Well, that makes fucking two of us.

“The girl he tried to assault took off, but a witness came forward and told us what happened and we pulled Ren out of class and called you guys.” I nod, then start reading Ren his rights.

“The witness is in the room next door.” Principal Hall points to the room. Just then Asher walks in.

“No one knows where the victim went?”

“She wasn't a victim. She wanted it,” Ren says.

It takes everything in me not to smack him in the back of the head. “If I were you I’d keep my mouth shut,” I growl in warning.

“No, home would be my guess,” Asher replies, ignoring Collor. “I got her address out for you.” He hands me the info. “Her name is Catherine Young.”

My body stiffens. My hands, which are still on the cuffs around Ren’s hands, tighten, making the metal dig into his skin. He yelps in pain.

“My cuffs are too fucking tight!” he screams, but I don’t give a fuck. All I see is red.

“Cole. Cole!” I hear someone barking at me. I look at Asher, who is standing in the doorway, breaking me from the red haze I was under.

“Interview the witness. She’s in the next room. I don’t want to drag her down to the station.” I nod toward the room she’s in. “I’m putting him in your cruiser. I’m going to go find the girl.”

“All right,” he agrees, but he stares at me for a moment.

I yank on Ren’s cuffs, making him yell in discomfort. “Move,” I bark, pulling him toward the door. I push him in front of me as we walk out of the school. I kick out my boot and Ren trips. He hits the ice-covered concrete and I hear a crack. I smile at the sound.

“Careful, it’s slick.” I reach down and pull him to his feet roughly.

“I didn't trip, you—”

I cut him off. “Shut the fuck up or I’ll shut you up,” I tell him. I stare him down and he goes quiet. “Move.” I push him again toward Asher’s cruiser. I open the back door to guide him in but grab his head and slam it on the side of the car. “Watch your head.”

A string of curses leaves his mouth in a whisper. I slam the door closed behind him and lean up against the cruiser, trying to get myself under control. I want to open the door and beat this boy until he can’t move or even breathe.

Catherine, I remind myself. I need to find my girl. Make sure she’s okay. I take off for my cruiser and hop in. I turn on my lights and race home, praying that she’s there. I narrow my eyes when I pull down my drive and see Erica’s car parked in front of my house.

“What the fuck?” I mutter as I jump out of my car and head for the door. When I open it I see Erica standing there in nothing but a bra and panties. I ignore her. “Catherine!” I yell, storming through the house.

“Cole!” Erica calls after me.

“Where is she?” I snap at her. She jumps back.

“Who? The young girl? I thought she broke in. I tried to call you but you didn't answer.”

“Where is she?” I repeat, taking a step toward her.

“She ran out of here,” Erica rushes to say.

“Get the fuck out of my house, Erica. This is breaking and entering,” I yell over my shoulder as I rush out the door and hop back into my car. “Fuck!” I hit the steering wheel hard thinking about all my girl has been through today and what she must be thinking. First this shit with Ren, then running home and finding a half-naked chick in our fucking house. I grip the wheel hard as I race over to her old house.

When I pull in I barely have my cruiser in park before I’m jumping out and running toward the back door. I see a crowbar on the ground and a few boards have been pulled away. The hole isn't big enough for me to fit through, but my little Cathaine could have.

I give the boards one hard kick and they crumble and shatter apart. I go straight for her room. I stop when I see her running around the room packing a bag, her face soaked with tears.

“Baby.”

She whirls around to look at me when she hears me. A sob escapes her lips.

“I’ve never touched that woman in my life. She’ll be lucky if I don’t press breaking and entering charges against her.”

She lets out a little sob before she runs at me and jumps in my arms, wrapping herself around me. I hold her tightly to me. I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to let her go again. I walk over to the bed, grab the bag she was packing and head out of the cold house with her still wrapped around me. I toss the bag in the back then push my seat back and slide into my cruiser.