Chapter Thirty-five

The police had kept them there for questioning for quite some time. The clerk had given Bram and Izabella a coffee on the house, and a slushie for Devon. They were now hunkered down behind the counter. The clerk had been kind and told the whole story of what had occurred. He was completely elated that Bram had stepped in and swore to the cops that they would have killed everyone in store if Bram hadn’t gotten to them first. The police were weary about letting him go though, despite the fact they had seven robbers and rapists that would never hurt anyone again, they did have seven dead bodies to deal with now.

It had been a little over an hour, and it didn’t feel like they were any closer to being let go. Every time they tried to get close to Bram for an arrest, Izabella and the clerk begged them to stop. The clerk swore he wasn’t pressing charges on anyone but the dead. “I owe my life and store to that man.”

Bram was as calm as ever. “I’m willing to let them take me in, my lawyer will have me out by morning.” Izabella didn’t want to leave him or have him spend the night in jail for rescuing her. “Just take Devon home and—”

“No.” She clung to him, still not fully in control of the tears that kept coming. “You don’t deserve this, and I don’t want to be alone.”

“Well, hello everyone.” A familiar voice called.

“Ah, the cavalry has arrived.” She heard Bram chuckle. As she lifted her head from his chest, she saw Tyler strolling in, disregarding the *DO NOT ENTER* tape.

The police started to push him out, but he held up something, and they all turned to look at each other before standing down. “Geeze, Bram, you just can’t stay out of trouble these days, can you?” Tyler was tucking whatever he had shown the cops back into the breast pocket of his jacket. Bram shrugged, and Devon ran over, yelling ‘Uncle Tyler’ and threw his arms around his leg. “Hey, buddy.” He reached down, disheveling the boy’s hair. “Give me the short and skinny, Galvin will be here in a few minutes to get everyone released.”

“They attacked Izabella and Devon. I did what I had to do to protect them and the clerk.” He shrugged.

“Perfect. Izabella, Devon, and my dear friend whose name I don’t know yet, tell me, did all of you feel your lives were in danger?” Izabella immediately buried her face again and started balling into Bram’s shirt. The clerk and Devon both answered, agreeing that they were afraid for their lives.

“That doesn’t negate the fact that I have seven dead bodies here—”

“It doesn’t.” Tyler agreed, turning toward the cop that seemed to be heading up the investigation. “I do have these though.” He bent down, grabbing some files from his briefcase, and handed them to the cop. As the cop flipped through whatever was in there, the air around them seemed to change. His eyes went to the woman, who was clearly still distraught after what happened, and the man holding her while the little boy chirped at the clerk and was getting along with one of the other officers. “Look, his lawyer will be here in a moment to petition for immediate release. I just wanted to make sure you knew who you were about to try to arrest.”

“That’s why he was so quiet. He gave me his ID without question and didn’t argue or fight back once.” Bram paid more attention to her than he did to Tyler and whatever magic he was pulling from his hat this time.

“You okay?” He asked for the hundredth time, his eyes only leaving her, to nod to the newest member walking into the chaos, who had on an awfully expensive looking suit. He wasn’t as tall or broad as the others, but he also had that well breed look to him, like both Tyler and Bram. She wondered if he just hired the prettiest people he could find.

Izabella was finally starting to feel like she was gaining control of herself, she grabbed a tissue, wiping her face. She nodded. “Only thanks to you. I’m so glad you didn’t let me come out here alone.”

“Me too.” His voice was soft, and the new guy was watching them with narrowed eyes. “Now that Gavin is here, we’ll be able to leave soon, okay.” She nodded, still tucked in his arms.

Gavin pulled something out of his breast pocket and came to stand in front of Bram. “Sir.” Bram nodded, “Tyler and I will have everything sorted out in a moment, and you should be free to go home. I’m going to have Tyler escort you while I finish things up here.”

“That won’t be necessary. I want him to do a regular search and make sure this wasn’t a bigger hit than it looks like.”

“Of course, sir. I was going to—”

“I want Tyler on it, Gavin. You should be focuses on the other items that’ve already been requested.” Gavin didn’t look impressed by these words. “I do appreciate your promptness in coming down to make sure I get to go home tonight. Do you still need us, or…”

“No, sir. I spoke with the officer, you are free to go home. I do have to request that you not leave the city for the next few days while I sort this out. My apologies, sir.” The man’s dark brown hair was slicked back, and styled nicely, but it made Izabella feel uncomfortable as he half bowed to Bram.

Bram patted her back, and stood up, keep an arm around her. “No worries, Gavin. I appreciate it. I don’t have anything scheduled out of the city at the moment, so that won’t be a concern. I do want to get these two out of here, there’s been enough excitement for one day.”

“Of course, sir. Would you like for me to walk you back? I know it’s not far, but I would prefer not to leave you alone with them.” Gavin asked, half following them as Bram lifted Devon into his arms and kept Izabella close. “I will also be setting up an appointment for some time tomorrow, Tyler and I will need to go over some things with you that will become even more important after tonight.”

Bram nodded, stopping in front of Tyler. “As always, thank you.”

Tyler smiled at him, then turned those bright green eyes on Izabella. “It’s lovely to see you again, my dear. Though I wish it weren’t always in these awkward instances.”

“Thank you, Tyler. I hope we can talk again soon. I really want to get out of here though.”

“I understand. I take it Gavin set you free?” Tyler smiled.

“Yes, once a tally is taken can you see what we can do to assist the shop owner? He was a great help and kept Devon hidden while shots were fired. I want to make sure his bravery is rewarded.” With that, Bram turned them through the store, pushing Devon’s face into his neck, and Izabella’s was buried in his side. The body they were walking by now wasn’t a pretty site, and he didn’t want either of them seeing such horrors. It was the one the clerk had shot at close range. When they finally stepped outside, he said, “Okay, you guys can open your eyes.” And he lead them back down the street. “Oh, Gavin?”

“Yes, sir?” He said, stepping out.

“I have some bags inside. Would you mind bringing them? My case of beer too?”

“Of course.”

Though nothing happened on the walk home, Izabella suddenly felt like people were watching them. Just waiting to strike. She knew this was something that she wouldn’t get over easily. Gavin only followed them to the door, left their things just inside, then went back to assist Tyler.

“Can I still play my game?” Devon asked, wriggling out of Bram’s arms.

“I think a more quiet night is needed right now buddy. Can you go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth?” The little boy nodded, running off.

Izabella sat on the bench in the entry way, pulling off her shoes. Bram knelt beside next to her, placing a hand on her knee. “What can I do to help you? Do you want to rest? Have some time alone? Do you want me to call someone for you?”

Izabella buried her face in her hands and started crying uncontrollably again. All she wanted was to not feel that bastard holding her down or touching her, but it kept playing in her mind, and she couldn’t get it to stop.