Duncan (The Protectors #3)(7)



Checking her phone again, she looked back up, spotting a tall man with long hair. She only knew one man who towered over people with hair like that. “Dammit!” She turned to head in the opposite direction, but stopped. She should have known Nicole wouldn’t keep her big mouth shut. Damon DeMasters was at her back and Jared Kincaid was at her front. With nowhere else to go, unless she wanted to take a cold swim, she turned again to walk between the two Warriors before they got any closer.

Before she could take two steps, her eyes found his golden gaze staring intently at her as his long legs ate the distance up between them. Feeling cornered and panicked, Pam glanced quickly for an escape, but she knew it was useless. Her heart and body took over, sending her moving toward Duncan, but her head screamed for her to run.

As if in a daze, her body kept moving toward what she wanted more than anything in the world, but seeing the look on his face stopped her. His mouth opened in warning, his hand shooting out toward her. Snapping out of her dazed state, Pam let her eyes roam the area. She and the Warriors were surrounded by more uniformed police officers than she could count, all pointing their guns on her.

A tall man walked toward her, flashing his badge. “Pam Braxton.” He put his badge back in his coat pocket, nodding toward an officer who proceeded to handcuff her. “I’m Detective Ferguson. You are being brought in for questioning on the murder of Sheriff  Bowman.”

“This is bullshit. You get off handcuffing women?” Jared growled, moving closer to Pam. “She is no threat.”

“This time you have no jurisdiction.” Detective Ferguson smirked. “I suggest you Warriors go on with your business before you’re arrested and taken in with her.”

Duncan looked at both Jared and Damon. “Call Sloan.” Before anyone could question why, Duncan punched the detective square in the face.

*****

As Pam was led away to a police car, Duncan followed, pulling the officer who handcuffed him along with him. After they carefully placed Pam in the backseat, the officer closed the door.

“Uh, sir.” The officer holding onto Duncan’s arm nervously cleared his throat. “You need to come to my car.”

Duncan looked down at the man and frowned. “I’m riding in this car.” He nodded to where Pam sat.

“But, I don’t think Detective Ferguson will be happy with that decision.” He shook his head, trying not to seem too terrified. “Please, I don’t want any trouble. I’m just doing my job.”

His face softening slightly, Duncan looked over to where Detective Ferguson stood with his head held back, trying to stop his bleeding nose. The bastard was lucky he still had a nose. “I don’t think he cares who goes in what car at the moment.”

Knowing he wasn’t going to win, the officer looked at the other one who shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, but don’t cause problems.”

Duncan nodded, and then with a slight tug, he broke the handcuffs off his wrist handing them to the surprised officer. “Didn’t want it to look like you took these off me, and they’re not silver.” Duncan patted him on the shoulder before walking around the car to open the door and climb in.

“Are you nuts?” Pam frowned at him after he slammed the door shut. “You just hit a detective.”

“After three months, that is all you have to say to me?” Duncan frowned back at her.

“At the moment…yes.” Pam looked away.

“Lean forward,” Duncan demanded, but when she ignored him, he grasped her shoulders, moving her in the position he wanted her. Just as he did with his handcuffs, hers were broken and tossed onto the floor.

Pam rubbed her wrists glancing up at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Duncan’s golden eyes roamed her face, and his fingers burned to touch the softness of her cheek. “Why did you run?” The deepness of his voice filled the police cruiser.

Wrapping the too-large jacket around herself like a protective cloak, Pam shivered. “This isn’t the time or place, Duncan.”

“This is definitely the place, and three months ago was the goddamn time.” Anger vibrated from his voice. “I have been searching everywhere for you. Not a minute has gone by that I wasn’t looking for you.”

Turning from him, she watched an officer walk toward the cruiser. “Then you wasted your time because as soon as possible, I’ll be gone again.” She finished the cruel words, squeezing her eyes tight.

“The hell you will,” Duncan growled down the back of her neck. “You are mine, and I will not let you go this time.”

Her lips curved sadly. “Soon, you’ll be the one tossing me away.” Her words were spoken with such conviction it surprised Duncan.

“Never!” The word was spoken softly, but with certainty before he moved away as the officer got in the car.

*****

Pam followed the officer, who had not said a word about her no-handcuffed state, into what she figured was an interrogation room. She sat in the chair Duncan pulled out for her.

“Mr. Roark, you can’t stay in here,” the officer stated, looking up at the camera, hoping to find some help with the situation.

Pulling out a chair across from Pam at the small table, Duncan made himself at home. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Listen, sir, I don’t want any problems, but you cannot stay in here. I have the utmost respect for you and the Warriors, but it’s the rules. You hit an officer and have to be processed,” the officer stated, starting to sweat in earnest. Taking his hat off, he swiped his forehead.

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