A Fresh Start for Two (8 page)

“No.” She slung her purse over her shoulder. “I want to do this and you probably have to work tomorrow. I don’t have to work until tomorrow night and I’m behind on my homework. So if you don’t mind, tonight would be great.”

Jake escorted her out of the room and the building, leading the way across the campus. “What are you having trouble with?”

“Well, I don’t think I understand the difference between a balance sheet and an income statement.”

“A balance sheet is done for a particular day, while the income statement tells how much money the company made over a longer period of time, like a month or a year.”

“That’s it? That’s so easy. Why didn’t I get that? You must think I’m stupid.”

The campus was dark, so they followed the sidewalks. He moved closer to her, which made her feel much safer. Such a small thing, and yet it made her whole body relax in a way she could physically feel. She was so tense all the time.

“Stupid? Hell, no. But I do think you have enough going on in your life right now to make most people snap. You walk around as if nothing’s wrong, not wanting to share your problems with someone who cares about you, but I’m guessing you’re petrified inside.”

She peeked at him through her lashes. “Great assessment. I am frightened. He scares the hell out of me.”

“You should be.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close so he could whisper in her ear. “When are you going to trust me? You need to tell me when he threatens you.”

“Well, he didn’t really threaten me. Who would listen to that?” She leaned into his warmth.

“What exactly did he say?”

“He said that if I wasn’t back with him in a few days, I’d…” She paused to make sure she quoted him correctly. “I’d live to regret it.”

Jake stopped and turned her to face him. “Julia, that is a direct threat, and after what we witnessed on Main Street, I don’t doubt he means it. You need to call me or someone else on the police force when he says things like that. We can’t help you if we don’t know.”

“But what can I do? My own mother won’t help me against him. I have to work tomorrow night.”

“Okay, so you’ll have witnesses if he bothers you at work. What other days are you working?”

“Wednesday and Friday. We have class again on Thursday.”

“Let’s go out for dinner. How about Saturday? Do you want to go to the Cobalt Brew House?”

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “Jake, I can’t ask you to take the risk. What if he sees us together? He’ll have it in for both of us.”

Jake snorted. “I’m not afraid of your ex. But if it will make you feel better, why don’t we go to Rochester?”

“No, his father has too many restaurants there.”

“How about Canandaigua Lake? There are a few nice restaurants we can go to there. I don’t think it’s somewhere he’ll look for you.”

She leaned toward him, gently biting her lower lip. “That sounds lovely. Do you mind?”

“No.” He stopped and turned her to face him, then cupped her face and leaned down to kiss her with more tenderness than she’d thought a man capable of giving.

She moaned and leaned into him, wrapping her free arm around his neck. Her need to touch him made her fingers ache, so she threaded her fingers through his hair. He deepened the kiss, angling his mouth over hers and teasing her with his tongue until they were both breathless.

When he ended the kiss, she sighed, her heart fluttering in her chest in satisfaction.

He narrowed his gaze at her. “Is that boredom?”

She laughed, something she hadn’t done in a while. “No. Trust me, it’s not boredom. Disappointed that we had to stop. But will you still help me? I really need to get my homework done.”

He took her hand in his and led her into the Student Union, stopping once to lean back and kiss her cheek.

“What was that for?”

He grinned. “Just because. I like you.”

Chapter Eight

An hour later, they left the Student Union. Jake was pleased with how the night had gone. Julia was a beautiful, intelligent woman, and if she hadn’t been distracted in class, she never would have needed his help.

Which is exactly the reason why these controlling bastards drove him crazy. They trolled for a woman’s weaknesses, taking her fears and blowing them out of proportion until her life could be controlled from afar. But that wouldn’t happen with Julia—not anymore. He wouldn’t allow her to become any more of a victim than she already had been.

They stepped into the mostly deserted parking lot and walked over to his car. He had already opened the door for her when he heard a car start up not far away. Jake hadn’t seen anyone walking in the lot, so he moved her into the seat, then turned to see who it was. Headlights came straight for him, so he put his hand on the butt of his gun.

The car braked right in front of him. He kept his hand where it was, waiting to see if Vincent would have the balls to get out of the car.

“It’s Vincent. That’s his car.”

Jake heard the tremor in her voice, but he just closed the passenger-side door and said, “Stay inside, Julia. I’ll handle him.”

The car backed up and pulled up next to him, the window lowering as soon as the cars were next to each other.

“I knew it.” Vincent barked. “I knew you had some reason for bothering us twice. You think you can have her, cop? Well, you won’t.” He pulled ahead just a bit before yelling back toward Jake’s car. “Julia, I know you’re in there. You’ll pay. You left me and now you’re cheating on me. You’ll pay.”

“Two more threats,” Jake said, keeping his tone steady and even keel. “I’m keeping track, Nye. How’s a jail cell in Attica sound to you? Huh? Think you would like the next ten years in there? That’s where you’re headed. Stay the hell away from her.”

Vincent rolled up his window and stepped on the gas so hard his tires squealed as he pulled away.

Jake circled the car and got in.

“Oh my God!” Julia cried out, practically climbing into his lap. “What are we going to do? He’s crazy. He’ll kill us both.”

Jake cupped her face and forced her to meet his gaze. “Sshhh. Relax, babe. I’m not going to let him hurt you. I’ll keep a car on him. Where do you want me to take you? Home or to Lucia’s? I’d take you to my place, but I have to work early, so I’d rather have someone with you all night. ”

“Take me to Lucia’s. Please, Jake. Not to my mother’s. She would let him in.”

He started the car so the air would turn on and took her trembling hand in his, rubbing his thumb across the soft skin on the back. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

“Please? Let’s get out of here now. I hope he doesn’t follow us.”

“Does he know where Lucia’s apartment is?”

“No, I’ve never told him. He doesn’t even know her last name.”

“Is it in an apartment building?”

“Yes, on the second floor. You have to be buzzed inside. I don’t think he’d be able to get in.”

“I’m sure you’ll be safe there. Too many witnesses for him. Give me her address and I’ll call it in.” Jake called the department and asked for a unit to check on Lucia’s address overnight.

“Julia,” he said when he hung up. “I won’t let him hurt you. Promise to call me if you sense anything, anything at all?”

He still held her hand in his, wanting to keep her with him, which was impossible right now. She squeezed him so hard, his heart broke.

The bastard would pay.

***

Jake stood just on the edge of the campus parking lot on Thursday. He had gotten out of work late, so Julia and Lucia had already been on their way to class. He was still in uniform, but he would have time to change shirts before class started.

He paced the sidewalk, finally texting Julia.

Jake:
Where are you?

Julia:
We can’t get into the parking lot. Vincent ran us into this other lot and he’s racing up and down the rows. Help us, please!

Jake:
Which way?

Julia:
The parking lot before the one for class. There’s hardly anyone here.

Jake:
Be right there. Stay in the car.

Jake called security to report the issue. He wanted a witness to the confrontation. He hopped into his car and drove to the last parking lot. As soon as he arrived, he found Lucia’s car and drove down the aisle and parked beside it. Vincent was still circling the lot revving his engine. As soon as Jake stepped out of his car, the window of Lucia’s car rolled down.

“Jake, stay in your car. He’s crazy. He’ll run you over. Please don’t antagonize him.” He could tell from the tone of her voice that Julia was in a state of sheer panic, which only made him angrier.

Jake listened to Nye rev his engine before he brought his car to a stop at the end of their aisle. “Put up your window, Julia, and both of you should lock your doors. I’ll deal with this.”

Vincent stepped on the gas and headed straight at him. Jake stood in the middle of the lot, between his car and Lucia’s.

Vincent’s engine roared, and he drove straight at Jake.

Ignoring Julia and Lucia’s shouts, Jake did not back down. He pulled his gun and aimed it at the windshield. Another car pulled into the lot and stopped dead as soon as the scene came into full, glaring view. Vincent’s car drew closer but didn’t slow. Jake pulled the trigger and shot out the front headlight.

Vincent slammed on his brakes, finally stopping a couple of feet in front of him.

That was it. Jake ran up to the car and slammed his fist into the hood. “Come on, big man. Come outside and fight. Or do you only like to beat on people who are half your size?”

Vincent stepped out of the car unarmed, so Jake holstered his gun. “You owe me, cop, for that headlight.”

“I don’t think so.” Jake charged over and grabbed his shirt, pulling his face to within an inch of his “You threatened a police officer by coming that close to me. You want to take me on? You got it. Your time and your place.”

Julia squealed from inside Lucia’s car. “Jake, please don’t!”

“Come on, cop. You going to hit a defenseless man? Take me in? Police brutality.”

“I’m not on duty right now, so I can beat the shit out of you. And if you don’t leave Julia alone, you can be sure I will. Oh, and glad to know you realize I am a police officer. Will help when I charge you with threatening me.”

“You’re in uniform, so it would be police brutality.”

Jake ripped off his shirt and flung it to the side. He stood there in his T-shirt, highlighting the differences in their physiques. Though Jake was only a little taller, he was far more muscular. “Not in uniform now. Let’s see you bully someone your size. Huh?” He shoved against Nye’s chest, but he couldn’t get him to bite.

A car came up next to him, the college security light spinning on the roof of the vehicle. The door opened, and the security officer climbed out of the car. “Problem here? Got a call…oh, Ramsay, that’s you. This is the guy threatening the women?”

Vincent held his arms out at his sides. “I did nothing. You can’t arrest somebody for driving in your parking lot.”

“Actually, unless you can prove your purpose, you’re trespassing.”

“My girlfriend’s in that car. Ask her.” Vincent pointed to Lucia’s car, then stalked away from Jake and paced in a circle. The security officer headed over to Lucia’s vehicle. Once the guy was crouched next to the window, Vincent pointed at Jake and snarled in an undertone, “You’ll regret this, Ramsay. She’s mine, and there’s no way you’ll ever get her from me.”

Jake just waved off his words and strode to the car to make sure the two were all right. “Julia, you okay?” he called out.

She nodded to him through the windshield, then returned her attention to the security officer.

At that, Vincent climbed into his car and took off. As soon as he left, Julia flew out of the car and flung her arms around Jake’s neck. “Oh my God, I thought he was going to kill you. I wanted to get out and help, but Lucia wouldn’t let me.”

He brushed the hair back from her face. “I told you, don’t worry about me.”

“You okay here, Officer Ramsay?” the security officer called out. He picked up Jake’s shirt and returned it to him.

“Yeah, thanks for coming by.”

“I’ve got his license plate number. What class is it and what time does it let out?”

“Accounting 101, probably eight-thirty”

“I’ll make a report—it’ll only help our case that he fled the scene—and I’ll keep an eye out. You ladies okay?”

“We’re fine,” Lucia answered from inside the car. “Thank you.”

As soon as he left, Jake turned Julia around and tugged her in close to him. She snuggled against him, and he had to admit he quite liked her there. He wrapped his arms around her waist and asked her and Lucia to tell him the whole story. There had been no other problems until they reached campus, which meant that Vincent had probably been waiting for them here…and he likely still didn’t know where Lucia lived. The longer he spoke, the more Julia’s trembling calmed.

He leaned over her shoulder and whispered into her ear. “We really should get to class, babe. I think there’s a quiz tonight, and we’re already ten minutes late. Get back in the car with Lucia and follow me to the right parking lot. I need to grab my other shirt, then we can head in.”

Right before they entered the classroom, Julia leaned against him. “I’ll fail for sure. I’ll only be able to think about Vincent.”

“No, you won’t. You know this material.”

Lucia said, “We studied like crazy, Jake. It kept our minds busy last night.”

“Then let’s go ace it.”

“Jake,” Julia whispered. “What are we going to do?”

“I don’t think he’s going to do anything. He’s a wimp. He’s just trying to intimidate you.”

Now if only that were true.

***

Jake filled his family in about everything with Julia at the picnic on Saturday.

Mallory asked, “Why didn’t you bring her with you?”

“Well, we’re spending the rest of the day together. I’m taking her to dinner on Canandaigua Lake after I go over to her house and meet her family.”

Gram said, “I think you should have introduced her to your family.”

“I know, Gram. Maybe I should have brought her, but I wanted to fill you in on all that’s happening with her. She’s quite stressed from all the pressure her ex-boyfriend has put on her. I thought meeting another ten or twelve people might be too much for her right now.”

“Maybe so,” his dad said. “Bring her over for dinner some night when there’s just a few of us. I’d like to meet her. She sounds like a nice girl who’s having a bad spell. She could use some support.”

Gramps said, “Jacob will support her. He knows how to take care of people. He’s an army vet and a police officer.”

Jake rolled his eyes and winked at Mallory.

She chuckled, “Love that, don’t you?”

He left shortly after so he could pick Julia up at Lucia’s, wanting to have enough time to talk to her mother. Julia had texted him frequently on Friday, letting him know she was all right and had neither seen nor heard anything more from Vincent. He had asked Julia to introduce him to her mother, hoping he would be able to talk some sense into the woman.

Julia came out the door as soon as he pulled in, wearing a nice summer dress in shades of pink and green and matching sandals. He jumped out of the car to greet her. “Julia, you look beautiful.”

“I hope this is all right for dinner. Most of my dresses are still at my house.”

“You look great in everything you wear, no lie.” He kissed her cheek before she climbed in the car.

She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Thank you, Jake.”

Once they left Lucia’s, Julia’s anxiety ratcheted up immediately—he could tell by the number of deep breaths she took while they sat at a red light. Then she rubbed the back of her neck and sat there wringing her hands until he thought they would bleed.

“Julia,” he grabbed her hand and rubbed his thumb in a circle on her palm. “It’ll be fine. Someone needs to try and talk some sense into your mother.”

“Jake, you don’t understand everything about my mother.”

“Try me.” His gaze caught hers for a moment before flicking back to the road.

“It goes back a while.” She stared down at her lap, at his hand still caressing hers.

In his peripheral vision, he could see her eyes misting. “Julia, if there’s something you need to share, then please do it before we get there. I want to help, but there’s not much I can do unless I understand the situation.”

She nodded, but then took another deep breath, swiping at her eyes to keep tears from falling.

“I come from a huge family. I think I’ve seen almost everything,” Jake added.

“Not this, Jake. I know you haven’t.”

“I’m also a cop, so I’ve experienced a lot of things in the field.” He pulled the car over and parked in a spot in front of a church, just so he could give her his complete attention. Whatever it was, he could tell from the expression on her face that it was a painful memory.