The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

me.”
    “You lying bitch!”
    Every muscle in my body coiled tight, twisting and bunching beneath my skin in a fit of hate. Jumping to my feet, I rushed him. The sound of my thundering heart pounding in my ears was all I could hear, and the bone cracking beneath my fist as I delivered the deliberate blow.
    Felix managed to pull me off but only after MaryAnn’s cry penetrated the red fog blinding me.
    “Ryker!”
    I collected several deep breaths before turning my attention back to her. She looked so small and weak, completely defenseless against him, but still strong.
    So fucking strong.

M y head felt like it was wedged in a vice, the pressure had eased slightly but it still hurt to move. My entire body ached but thankfully, the medicine they’d given me earlier was beginning to serve its purpose.
    However, it didn’t allow me to escape my dark thoughts.
    The scene played over and over in my mind. I still couldn’t believe I did it. That for once, I stood up to him. Who knows what would have happened if Ryker hadn’t shown up.
    My foot was broken and the gash on the side of my head required several stitches. I also had a mild concussion. I was relieved when the doctor told me they would be keeping me overnight. At least I would have a peaceful night of sleep.
    Safe from him.
    For now.
    Ryker had shown up here a short time after I arrived, standing vigil while the doctor and nurses worked on me. My heart clenched, thinking about how protective he was over me. He held my hand the entire time, silently reassuring me with every stroke of his thumb that he was here.
    Which somehow still seemed impossible to me.
    He’d shown up at just the right time. One more kick and who knows where I would be.
    After they finally put me in a room, Ryker and his partner took my statement. It was hard to meet his eyes. I didn’t want him to know how weak I was. I didn’t want him to see the woman I’d become.
    “Get some rest, sweetie. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit,” the nurse said, removing the blood pressure cuff.
    I nodded, sinking further into the bed as she walked out of the room.
    I’d almost succumbed to my exhaustion when there was a soft knock on the door. My breath froze as it eased open, terror gripping my chest.
    “Can I come in?”
    Relief flooded through me when I heard Ryker’s soothing voice.
    “Hi,” I greeted, my eyes heavy and weak.
    He laid a manila folder down at the foot of my bed before perching one hand on the railing next to my head while the other reached for my hand.
    Long fingers wrapped around mine gently, contradicting the rough pad of his thumb brushing over the tops of my knuckles. I could have sworn there was a special healing power in that thumb.
    “How are you feeling?”
    “Better,” I murmured.
    My speech was becoming more sluggish, and so was my heart.
    His thumb made another pass over my skin and the gesture brought on a wave of comfort, one I’d grown to crave over the last few hours. “I spoke with the DA. You don’t even have to be at the arraignment. I have the affidavit here with your statement and an order of protection. All you have to do is sign, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
    “Then what?” I whispered with shaky breath, terrified of the answer.
    “You have two options. When he has his arraignment you can request to stay in the apartment until the trial is over.” I think about his words for a moment. That apartment is just as much mine as it is his, but deep down I know I don’t want to stay there.
    Too many awful memories.
    “I don’t want to stay there. But I do want my suitcase. Everything I love is in there. Is there any way you can get that for me?”
    “I’ll take care of it,” he said, flexing his fingers around mine.
    “What’s option number two?”
    “Stay with me.”
    I opened my mouth to protest but never stood a chance. “Before you say anything, just hear me out. I know you don’t know me. Not the me I am today. But you