Gillian hung up the phone and closed her eyes against the scalding pressure. Her breath exploded on a sob and she turned to race back to her apartment. She closed the door, sliding the lock into place before she picked up the house phone, her fingers trembling as she pressed the numbers in.
“911, what is your emergency?”
“This is Gillian Hilliard. I, uh, my ex has been calling me and he’s making threats against me.”
“Where are you, Gillian?”
“At my home.”
“Is there anyone with you?”
“No, no one is with me.”
“I have two RCMP officers dispatched. Stay on the line please.”
Gillian clutched the phone and stared out the window. Her fingers traced over her cell, the urge to call Jack so strong. With half a mind, she listened to the operator’s instructions, her heart racing—her mind focusing on one thought. She wanted, no she needed, Jack. Needed to see him, to see the confidence in his eyes, the safety in his arms. Beyond the sound of her racing heart, she could hear the familiar sound of a cruiser coming. Gillian swallowed. “I hear the sirens.”
“Stay inside until they come to the door, Miss Hilliard.”
Though she knew the operator couldn’t see her, she nodded and flipped up her cell phone. Shakily, she punched in the number she’d memorized, praying he would come, that she wasn’t alone, and dreading knowing she was to blame for everything.
* * * *
“Why didn’t you listen to me?” Lenny slammed a hand on his desk. “Now I have an irate wife, a step-daughter who isn’t talking to her mother—”
“What Barbara does is not my concern. Gillian is.” Jack glared at his boss. “You seem to think they have this great relationship. They don’t. I’ve seen firsthand what your wife is like with Gillian, and frankly, I’d have told her to fuck off years ago. My personal life is in no way, shape, or form part and parcel of my professional life.”
“You’re right, Jack, it’s not. However, your personal life is my business when it affects me directly. Not only did you leave your shift early the other day, now you have your—”
“I didn’t leave early. You asked if I wanted to pull an extra half shift to cover for Dean. I said I had plans. I meant I had plans, but you didn’t listen to me. Jesus, Lenny, stay out of it. What’s between Gilli and me is not your concern.” Jack shook his head. “How much more plain can I say it? I don’t think you realize your wife isn’t a woman who wanted to be a mother.”
“Barbara has her issues, we all do, but that isn’t grounds for—”
“It is to me. No one has the right to say their daughter is a sexless object who should have stayed with a man who was abusive. I’m not stupid, nor am I going to tolerate interference in my relationship with Gillian.”
“Oh please, Jack.” Barbara hovered at the doorway before she entered Lenny’s office. “Gillian is hardly worth the effort of defending. Look at her past and you’ll see I’m correct.”
Jumping at the condescending voice, Jack shot a glare at her before turning back to Lenny. “Not hardly.”
“Really? She accused and had a man convicted of assault and attempted murder—after she fell down the stairs. He wasn’t home at the time. Since then she’s screwed around with anyone with a dick and plays games with people’s heads. You think she wants you? Very unlikely. She wants your money. That’s just how she is.”
“No, that’s you.” Jack rose to his feet to tower over her. “That’s the woman who stands around in expensive suits and drives a BMW while invading her daughter’s house and shooting her down all the time. Stay away from Gillian, both of you.”
“Are you threatening me?” Barbara gasped, her face paling beneath her makeup.
“No.” Jack shook his head. “I’m not threatening you. I’m telling you.” He glanced down at the cell on his hip and smiled. The name flashing in his caller ID eased the anger burning through him. He hit Answer and put it to his ear. “Hello?”
“Jack, I’m sorry to bother you.” Terror-filled, Gillian’s pitiful whisper made his blood run cold.
“You’re never a bother. What’s wrong?”
“Could you come by, please?” Gillian’s voice broke. In the background he could hear the distinct sound of two male voices. “I know you had plans—”
“I’m on my way.” Jack hung up and faced his boss and Barbara. “You want to stick your nose in, pick someone else to meddle with. My relationship with Gillian is off limits to you.”
“Mark my words, Jack, you’ll rue the day you met that sniveling little bitch. She’s cruel, malicious, and greedy. You think she’s going to walk away when she’s done with you? She won’t.”
“Stay the hell away from her.” Jack leaned toward her, his voice a low, furious snarl. “Because if it comes down to it, I’ll do whatever I have to, to protect her.”
“That’s enough, Jack.” Lenny’s voice cracked through the room. “You will not threaten my wife. I will not allow your reckless behavior to interfere with the morale and performance of this station. If you can’t abide by the rules, then perhaps you should find other employment.”
Jack froze, his gaze sweeping over Lenny. With a snort of derision, he shook his head. “My reckless behavior? What behavior, Lenny? Sticking up for a woman who’s been the brunt of abuse all her life? Or maybe not being eager to kiss your wife’s ass? Rules? What rules are those, Lenny? The ones you make up to suit your little wife here? Jack can’t date so and so because it creates a problem for my wife? Or is it the rule that says Jack must behave himself because if he doesn’t toe the line
