Trust In Love (A McCord Family Novel Book 2) (20 page)

"Sophie, are you okay? I know you don't want me in your house, but—"

"You'll stay all night, Emmett?" Sophie asked, looking at him with the fear plastered in her eyes.

"Yeah, I will. Until Austin gets home—"

"Good. Please don't leave. The last time I saw...saw him...he...he..."

"Sophie, please stop. You don't need to say anything. I can only imagine what the bastard did, but he'll never do it again. No one, not me, not Austin, not one person in this family will let a hair on your head be harmed. Hell, I imagine Deja has a mean right hook just by the hard glare I see in her eyes sometimes. You have a lot of people on your side," Emmett said.

"He's a powerful man. You have no idea. He'll...he'll destroy you all. No one will believe you," Sophie whispered, almost trance-like.

"I'd like to see him try. I'd be more than happy to use this on his head," Deja said from the entrance of the living room. She held her trusty tire iron, clapping it in her hands, just waiting for any sort of action to begin.

"You disappeared to grab that?" Emmett asked amused.

"Hey, E-man, you gotta be prepared for an assortment of things and scenarios. If you're otherwise occupied with something, at least I have my tire iron," Deja said, walking further into the living room.

"And your wits," Sophie said, glancing at Deja with a small smile.

"Damn right, my wits," Deja said, smiling back. She walked around the couch and took a seat on the bed of blankets.

"Am I missing something here?" Emmett asked with a grin. "Because I feel like I'm missing something here. E-man can't be left out of anything. Not at a sleepover."

A small chuckle escaped from Sophie's lips as Deja replied, "First time I met Sophie, she asked if I had any belongings. I told her all I had was my tire iron and my wits. What else does a girl need?"

"Can of hairspray?" Emmett asked with a devilish smile.

"I don't use hairspray," Sophie said softly.

"I don't either. Doesn't take much to make this hair shine with beauty," Deja said, pumping up some hair, exaggerating the beauty of it.

"Hmm...what else does a girl need?" Emmett sat there, tapping a finger on his chin thinking real hard.

"It was a rhetorical question. I need nothing else, E-man," Deja said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh. I thought it was a question. Directed at me," he replied, meeting Deja's eyes as they rolled back to him.

They shared a long look before Deja finally got the drift. He was trying to distract Sophie. He didn't want her to think about any of the worry outside.

"And a can of hairspray is all you can come up with? You're suddenly not living up to your nickname," Deja said, her eyes softening for once towards him.

"Oh, we can't have that. It's starting to grow on me. I am E-man,” Emmett said in a deep voice, eliciting another chuckle out of Sophie.

"I know what you're doing," Sophie said.

"What am I doing?" Emmett asked.

"Distracting me, making me feel better. Thank you, Emmett. It's hard to bury that fear or make it go away when I've feared him for so long. He'll find a way around all of you, I just know it," Sophie said, wringing her hands nervously together.

"Look at me, Sophie." He laid a hand on top of hers to stop the mad twisting of her hands. She started to do it so violently it scared him. The tremors in her hands didn't stop when he touched her, but surprisingly, he didn't think it was because he held her hands. He waited until she finally raised her eyes to his.

"Not sure what's going on in New York right now, but I guarantee you plenty is. You say this man is powerful. Ava's dad can't get much more powerful. He's the police commissioner. He will do everything he can to help you. I know it. I may just be a landscaper, but I'm a damn fine one. You should see me wield my lawn mower and weed whacker." Emmett chuckled when he saw Sophie trying to hold in a laugh.

"I have one brother that works for the fire department. He's friends with so many police it ain't funny. Hell, Ava works for the police here. Oh, and did I mention that the chief of police here is like family to us. He was best friends with Austin and Zane's dad, and still is with mine. You say this man is powerful. So are we. We aren't just any family. We're the McCord's, damn it. Not much gets by us. Nothing, as a matter of fact."

Sophie smiled, not just a small, wimpy smile she had been giving them, but a smile of all smiles. A smile so bright it would've knocked him to his knees in pain if he had been standing.

"Thank you, Emmett. I think I'm starting to actually believe that."

"As you should. I'd never lie. I'm E-man," he said with a serious expression.

Deja busted out laughing. "Now I think that nickname's going to your head."

"You're the one who gave it to me," he said, giving her a wink.

"I'm glad you're here," Sophie said.

"And I'm not going anywhere."

"Well, I'm not just glad you're here for that reason," Sophie said, glancing at Deja.

"Oh, what's the other reason? You two missed me?" Emmett said, pulling his hand away from her and put it to his chest.

"In your dreams. We kinda suck at this whole sleepover thing. We were gonna wake you up at like one in the morning to ask what we were supposed to do next," Deja said.

"Were you now? I can't imagine you suck at this sleepover thing. Looks like you were having fun until the party crasher came rolling in. Since I'm here, we can do all sorts of things. Spin the bottle, truth or dare, or—"

"Don't forget I still have my tire iron, E-man," Deja said, lifting it up to show him.

Emmett laughed. "Just kidding. Austin would have my hide if I kissed Sophie. Unless of course I'm more dashing than he is and you wanna," Emmett said, smiling wide at Sophie.

Emmett thought maybe he was pushing it in his teasing, but to his delightful surprise, Sophie smiled back. "Sorry, Emmett. Austin's the only man for me. Think of another game besides spin the bottle."

Emmett's witty reply almost rolled off his tongue when a knock sounded on the door. Deja instantly lifted her tire iron as Sophie cringed with fright.

"Settle down, ladies. It's okay. I'll get the door," Emmett said, standing up.

"You want my tire iron just in case," Deja said seriously.

"I'm good, Deja," Emmett said, showing her a fist.

He walked to the door, making a note to tell Austin to get Sophie a new door. She needed a damn peephole to check who was standing on the other side before she opened the door. He took a small breath, so small so they couldn't see his nerves. He wasn't scared.

Apprehensive. Yeah, apprehensive described much better how he was feeling. He grabbed the lock, twisted it quickly and pulled open the door.

"Hey, Chief. Good to see ya," Emmett said, resisting the urge to put a hand to his chest from the
apprehension
running through his veins.

"You okay, Emmett?" Chief Tanner asked with a smile.

"Never better. A man has a right to be slightly nervous when he's about to have a sleepover with two women who've never had one before. I have a lot to live up to. Make it the best damn sleepover ever."

"Sucks to be you. Can I come in?" Chief Tanner asked.

"Yeah, yeah, come on in." Emmett held the door open and shut it after the chief stepped inside.

"I hope you're not planning on using that tire iron on me," Chief Tanner said, looking at Deja. Deja stood in front of Sophie, her tire iron firmly in her hand, although hanging down by her side.

"Depends who you are and what you want," Deja said matter-of-factly.

"Stand down, Deja. This is the chief of police, Chief Tanner," Emmett said, finally realizing that nobody in this family had to worry about her anymore. She would never harm Sophie, especially considering how she stood in front of her ready to fight off anyone who dared to try harming her.

"Oh, okay," Deja said, loosening her grip on the tire iron.

"Where are your manners, Emmett? Introduce these beautiful ladies to me already," Chief Tanner said with a grin.

"My apologies. Fierce lady with the tire iron is Deja. And the sweet, quiet one is Sophie. Sophie took pity on Austin and decided to settle him down into a real relationship," Emmett said.

"Never thought I'd see the day. He's a lucky man. And you are a lucky woman. Best boys I know are the McCord's," Chief Tanner said.

"Yes, they are, Chief Tanner. It's nice to meet you," Sophie said softly.

"I just got the full story, or what Ava knows anyway, from Ava herself. I had an officer take care of the car outside the house. Made it look like some of the neighbors called it in, not Sophie. He, not surprisingly, had no business sitting in the neighborhood. I'll have frequent patrols coming through the area from now on. Each officer will be given a picture of Mr. Dittmore. If he's spotted in this neighborhood, or near Sophie, he'll be stopped and questioned. Austin is still working on trying to get a flight out tonight, but it doesn't sound like it'll happen until early tomorrow morning," Chief Tanner said with a soft tone.

"You...you would have an officer stop him," Sophie said with a shocked tone.

"When it comes to Ava, I trust her when she tells me something. If she tells me this is a bad man, I believe her. I can't have him arrested, of course, unless he does something to warrant an arrest. No reason I can't have my officers put a little fear into him, though. It doesn't take much for me to see you're frightened, Sophie. Two questions, if I may. How bad did he hurt you? And what did the cops do to you?" Chief Tanner asked.

***

For once in her life, Sophie finally felt the fear leave her body. These people would truly stand by her and help her. Here was the chief of police of this wonderful town telling her his officers would scare Kevin. For her. It just didn't seem possible.

Before she could stop the words, they left her mouth. "I could write a book on how bad he hurt me. Perhaps telling you what happened the last time he hurt me would give you a small clue. He hit me. He hit me so hard that I fell into the dresser and dropped to the floor from the pain. He proceeded to kick me in the stomach. I thought it was over until he jumped on top of me and started to squeeze. He squeezed my neck so hard I knew I was going to die. A knock on the door saved my life. That was when I knew I had to run away."

The silence in the house should have deafened her, made her terrified to continue talking. She felt Axel by her feet, his nearness always a comfort to her. She felt Deja standing next to her, their new friendship a true strength to her. She could feel Emmett's eyes on her, his kindness and loyalty to Austin—support she hadn't realized she would ever get. She sensed Chief Tanner waiting patiently for the second question to be answered. No demands, no requirement for her to continue, just patience that if she did, he would do something about it.

Sophie rubbed a hand across her cheek to wipe the tears away. She couldn't look up, the fear overwhelmed her to even try, but feeling their presence was enough. "The first time I actually tried to call the cops he convinced them I hurt myself. He told them I had mental issues and I did it all the time. They threatened to lock me up for a false report. I never called the police again. He has money, influence—"

"That will do absolutely nothing for him here, my dear. You are in good hands. Not only with me, but most importantly, with Austin. I can't do anything about what happened in New York, but I'll do what I need to here if he comes anywhere near you," Chief Tanner said, interrupting her.

Sophie finally looked at Chief Tanner. "I think I'm starting to truly believe that. Thank you, Chief Tanner."

"You're welcome, Sophie. You ladies be gentle with Emmett here. He can be very sensitive, especially when playing games. He likes to win. Don't let him get away with pouting when you beat him," Chief Tanner said with a grin, glancing at Emmett.

"I don't pout," Emmett said with a frown.

"Sounds like you're pouting now," Deja pointed out.

"What games you got, Sophie? I'll show you I don't pout when I lose. If I even lose," Emmett said.

"I don't really have any games. I have cards. Austin has been teaching me how to play card games," Sophie replied.

A slow grin formed on Emmett's face. "Perfect. I love card games."

"Me too," Deja said, as a slow grin formed on her face as well.

"Oh, how I would love to stay for this sleepover. I can tell this is gonna be one for the history books. But I gotta go. I just wanted to stop over personally and relay what I know on my end. Call me if you need me," Chief Tanner said. He looked over at Sophie with a tender expression. "Welcome to this family. I think Austin has chosen a wonderful woman to finally settle down with."

"You don't really know me, Chief Tanner," Sophie said, confused.

"I know enough. I can see it. You all have a wonderful sleepover. Remember, he pouts," Chief Tanner said with a laugh as he pulled open the door.

Emmett shut the door behind the chief, then turned to the girls. "I don't pout. I might cheat, though."

They all started laughing as Sophie walked towards the kitchen. "I suppose that means so you can win...so you don't pout. Deja, the cards are in the desk by the window, second drawer down. I'll make Emmett a daiquiri and then we can play some cards to start out the night."