His hand wrapped around the same spot on my arm and I instantly winced. My entire body reacted and I let out a wail before I could keep it in. He released a guttural growl that shut my ass right up. My feet started moving along with him before I could think about a way to break free.
I nearly tripped over my feet and he snatched me so fast my body lifted from the ground and I was thrown a couple of steps forward. My eyes searched for help and I noticed a patrol officer’s car slowly easing by us. The familiarity of the squad car gave me a little hope. If I could gain their attention before they went by then I could get away from this bastard.
Jeffrey hemmed me up and got in my face. Our noses nearly touched. His other hand was secured on my free arm.
“What did I just say, Brandy?”
My chest rose and fell rapidly. I only had this chance. I let out a sharp breath then pushed him as hard as I could and screamed.
“Get the fuck away from me!” I yelled.
The patrol car had already stopped and two officers were quickly making their way toward us. Jeffrey’s fingers dug into my arms. His glare on me had me about to piss myself.
“Let her go,” Officer Dennis said sternly.
Jeffrey let out a sharp breath then pushed me away as hard as he could. He didn’t give a damn about the police officers. He had to get his one last lick in.
“Brandy, are you alright?” Officer Grady asked as she caught me. Officer Dennis was now securing handcuffs on Jeffrey. Thebastard was always so sure of himself that he always abided, knowing he’d be released within the hour.
“No. He’s violating his restraining order.”
“We’re taking you in. You have the right to remain silent…” Officer Dennis started his Miranda rights and I headed to my car. I wanted to be as far away from Jeffrey as possible.
“Have fun in Puerto Rico, Brandy,” Jeffrey called out then laughed.
Another squad car pulled up behind them as Jeffrey was being pushed into the backseat. As soon as he was secured, he looked my way, knowing my eyes would be firm on him and blew out a kiss.Fucking bastard.
After Officer Grady got my statement and gave me her card with the case number on it, I quickly got into my car and locked the doors. I let out a deep sigh then waited until they pulled off. The second they cleared my view, I screamed and hit the steering wheel.
It had been a long time since I’d seen him and I still froze. I couldn’t defend myself worth a damn and I hated myself for it. No matter how many self-defense classes I’d taken since running away, I still let him win. He still held power over me.
I pulled my cellphone out to call my sister. I looked at my glovebox and wondered if having it just now would’ve mattered at all. I shook my head at the thought then took a deep breath and wiped my eyes before I pressed the button to call.
The second I heard the phone trill, I looked out the window. I couldn’t believe that just happened when I was about to go and enjoy myself. He was trying to ruin my life all over again. I couldn’t let him do that. My mind was going a mile a minute. My sister picked up the call and caught the tail end of my deep exhale.
“Oh naw, FaceTime right now, hoe,” she said, then hung up.
It was just like my sister Chardonnay to know something was wrong just from the sound of my voice. She was a little under two years older than me and we’d been joined at the hip since I learned how to follow her around.
Once we connected on video, she sucked her teeth and shook her head.
“Whose head I’m ’bout to fly out there to knock in?” she asked.
She was already grabbing her keys and purse and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh at her always being so ready to jump.
“He found me.” It was all I could say before the tears started streaming down my face again.
I hadn’t seen or heard from Jeffrey since I’d left South Carolina a year ago. My lawyer was handling our divorce and the only time I saw Jeffrey was over video conference calls. The fact that he’d found me here in Dallas was something I didn’t know how to accept and I was grateful as hell I was about to take this trip to Puerto Rico so I could get the hell away from him.
“So, lil ugly still playing games, huh? You coming out here to Colton finally or what? Cuz big dusty ain’t fitna stick around this time. Arlando got a guest house built on the property and all. It’s yours and you know it. He'll even go as far as setting the shit up how you got your spot right now, just say the word. Ain’t nobody gon’ come after you here.”
“I don’t even want him knowing where you’re at, sis,” I replied.
“Naw, fuck all that. Let him know cuz my man ain’t one to play with and you know this. And for real, neither am I. I’d…”
“Sis, I’m already knowing, chill.” I sighed. “Alright, so I was planning on coming out there anyway. I wanted to surprise you but being as though you ready to hop on the jet, let me just stop you with that information…”
She screeched. “Yes, bish! Bout damn time! Great. Now get your ass home so I can make sure that fool ain’t coming back for you or nothing. I can have Arlando get one of his guards on you, so you don’t gotta worry about him.”
