34
Liam
Ilaced my fingers with Tessa’s as we walked up the steps to the police station. I’d texted Walker, and he’d said that he’d be waiting. I glanced down at Tessa. I was so damn proud of her. Walker would help. I wasn’t sure what the specific steps would be, but we would figure it out.
I pulled open the door to the department, placing a hand on Tessa’s back and ushering her through. Walker was talking to the clerk at the front desk and turned at the sound of the door. “Hey there. Why don’t we head back to my office?”
Tessa’s fingers gripped mine in a tight hold. I began tracing circles on the back of her hand, trying to ease her in any way I could. “That sounds good. Thanks for making time for us, Walk.”
Walker jerked up his chin and led us towards his office. “No problem.” He pushed open a door and gestured towards the two chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
I glanced around the space. It was simple, utilitarian. But it had a few personal touches. A photo of Walker’s family, another of Taylor and Walker, and a mug that readWorld’s Best Uncle. It was enough to put anyone who came into the office at ease that this was a real man who would understand their problems.
Walker settled behind his desk as Tessa and I took a seat. “So, you ready to tell me what’s going on?”
I looked to Tessa, unsure if she wanted me to start or her. Tessa released her hold on my hand. Her skin was paler than usual, but her jaw had a determined set to it. She took a deep breath. “My name isn’t really Tessa.”
It was more of a blow than I’d thought it would be, the fact that I’d been calling her a name that wasn’t her own. It made logical sense that she wouldn’t be using her birth name, but it still smarted.
Tessa pressed on. “Well, it’s not my legal name.” She looked at me, eyes pleading for understanding. “But it’s the name I chose for myself when I started over.”
The grip on my chest eased. I knew this woman, who she really was. And that woman had given herself the name Tessa. It didn’t matter what was on her birth certificate.
Walker cleared his throat. “And what were you starting over from?”
Tessa’s hand that wasn’t holding the envelope fisted. “I was running away from an abusive fiancé.”
Walker’s jaw hardened. “I’m so sorry, Tessa.”
Tessa straightened her shoulders. “I’m away from him now, and that’s what matters.”
Walker nodded. “Did you have a restraining order in place back home?”
Tessa shook her head. “I went to the police once.” Her cheeks reddened, not with her usual adorable embarrassment but with anger. “My ex is very well connected in the political and legal fields. The police didn’t believe me. In a matter of hours, my ex had them convinced I was having a breakdown and that he was going to get me medical help.”
Walker cursed, and I gripped the arms of my chair so hard, I worried I might snap them off.
Tessa stared down at her hands and the envelope in her lap. “I didn’t have anyone I could go to for help. He’d slowly cut me off from everyone in my life. The only person I had was my hairstylist.” Tears filled her eyes, and I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to comfort her. I leaned over and kissed her temple, running a hand up and down her spine.
Tessa gave me a watery smile. “Her name is Gena. And she’s amazing. She helped me escape.” Tessa turned back to Walker. “I took trains and busses until I got to Sutter Lake.”
Walker’s brows pulled together. “Why here?”
A wistfulness filled Tessa’s expression. “I grew up in the foster system. My mom died during childbirth. I only have a couple things of hers, but one was a postcard from Sutter Lake. When I was making a run for it, one of my options was Portland. I took it as a sign.”
Walker pulled out a pen and a pad of paper. “Does your ex know where you are now?”
Tessa shook her head vehemently. “No. That’s what’s kept me safe for this long.” She snuck a peek back at me. “But it’s come to my attention that my life has been somewhat on hold. I don’t want to hide anymore. I want to fight.”
A gentle smile stretched Walker’s face. “That’s real good, Tessa. It takes a hell of a lot of guts to run, but even more to stand and fight. You know that my family and I will do everything we can to help.” Walker tapped his pen against his notepad. “I’m going to ask you to walk me through an overview of your history.” His face sobered. “But first, I need you to hear me.”
Walker pinned Tessa with an intense stare. “I believe you.”
Tessa was silent for a moment, and then her shoulders began to shake with silent sobs. I couldn’t bear it. I scooped her up into my arms and deposited her on my lap, holding her to my chest. She tried valiantly to get her tears under control, but they just kept spilling over. “You don’t know how much that means. Your belief.”
Walker stood, rounding his desk and squatting in front of Tessa. He took her hand in his. “I do. Unfortunately, our system isn’t perfect. For our best shot at nailing this bastard to the wall, we’re going to need as much proof as we can get. Did anyone ever witness the abuse?”
Tessa stiffened in my arms. “I don’t care about filing charges. I just want a restraining order or something that will make him leave me alone.”
