Read Online Protect Me: Oakville Series:Book Three by Kathy-Jo Reinhart - Free Book Online Page A

Something to allow me to walk away without worry. I’ll never be able to walk away and not spend every second looking over my shoulder wondering if this is the day he comes for me, but it’s better than wondering when I’ll be beat next.
    “Damn, girl, you look like you went a few rounds with Tyson,” Tanya jokes as she squeezes my hand. The poor policeman looks appalled by her remark. He doesn’t realize it’s the only way I can deal with the things Ray has done to me. I give him a reassuring smile to let him know it’s okay.
    “I’ll be right outside the door if you ladies need anything,” he says before walking out of the room.
    I wait until he closes the door behind him. “How did I get here? Why is there a policeman keeping watch over me?” She holds up her hand, putting a stop to my questions.
    “Ray called the police after setting up the house to look like someone broke in. He told them he came home and found you beaten and unconscious on the bedroom floor. Joe out there was my idea. I didn’t want Ray anywhere near you. He’s helped me in situations like this before,” she explains. It sounds like something Ray would do in order to cover his ass.
    “So? Did you meet with Ray?” I ask Tanya. I need this to work the way we hoped it would. I have to get away from him. When I try to sit up a little straighter, I let out a yelp from the sharp pain that radiates through my abdomen. Just another reminder of how much I’ve lost.
    “Yes, I did. He was more than furious to know you’ve been recording every beating for the last year. He was really pissed when I showed him the photos of all the bruises with date and time stamps,” she explains as she takes a seat next to me. She smiles brightly at me and hands me a big manila envelope. “He was more than happy to find out what it was we wanted in order to make sure none of this got out. I think he’s more worried about his daddy finding out than the cops. So, on my way back here I stopped by the courthouse and saw a friend of mine who happens to be a judge. You, my dear, are officially a free woman.” Slowly, I open the envelope and pull out the papers. When I read the words “Divorce Decree”, tears spill from my eyes, but for the first time in a very long time, they’re happy tears. I forgot what being happy felt like. Reality hits me, wiping away the happiness as quickly as it came.
    “But…I have no way to get out of here. No money. No car. I’m sorry this was all for nothing.” I lower my head, trying to hide the tears from Tanya. The butterflies dancing in my stomach just seconds ago have turned into painful twisting knots. Now, this is a feeling I know all too well.
    Laughing, Tanya sits next to me on the bed. “Give me a little credit. Do you really think I’d get you this far to leave you hanging?” When I look up, she’s just staring at me. “I’ve made sure you have enough money to get you by for a while, until you can find a job. I’ve also managed to get you a car — a piece of shit car, mind you — but it should get you far away from here.” And once again, those butterflies are back.
    “I’ll pay you back. I promise. As soon as I can,” I swear to her.
    “No, you won’t. First of all, it’s too dangerous to send me anything that’ll give away where you are. And second, someone did this for me once and made me promise that if I ever found someone who needed the same help, I would pay it forward,” she says. With tears in her eyes, she tells me she’ll be back tomorrow with clothes and everything I’ll need to leave. She assures me the police will be guarding my room at all times. As I drift off to sleep, I try to think of where I’d like to call home. The last thing I remember is a vision of beaches and palm trees.
    The next morning, Tanya is here bright and early. True to her word, she has a suitcase full of new clothes and a bag with toiletries. She also has a pre-paid cell phone and a new driver’s license for