“You belong to me, Jessy Marie Fallon. For always.” That was his pledge to her.
Chapter Twelve
“Are you sure about this, bro?” Abel looked at him wide eyed with surprise. Lincoln wanted to smile at his brother’s face of shock. He never thought he’d surprise his older brother, but he did. He wished he could take a picture.
“I am,” he said firmly. “We haven’t
been together long, but I know how I feel. I love that girl. I want to marry this girl, Abel. I just didn’t want to scare her too much by going too fast. I figured I get her used to us living together then bring up making it permanent.
Abel nodded in agreement, and Lincoln knew his brother had his back. “Okay then. Good luck with mom. She is going to demand a white wedding first. Especially after what I put her through.”
Lincoln noticed the pain in his brother’s eyes despite his casual smile. Lincoln wished for him to find a good woman like Jessy. Lincoln knew Jessy was strong and dependable, and that no matter what troubles life threw at them he would be able to depend on her. He wanted to spoil Jessy, but he also knew she would put her foot down when he got too overbearing.
“I’ll handle the parents.” Lincoln sighed without much confidence. If his mom cried, his dad would get involved.
He put his mind back on work. He promised Jessy he would go see her tonight at Kramer’s. He encouraged her to finish her degree online. Then she wouldn’t have to wear that damn uniform.
Abel picked up a report off of his desk, his mind also getting back to work. “I had a talk with Judge Reynolds about Mike. He was evaluated mentally and suffers from depression and anxiety.”
Lincoln nodded feeling his chest heavy with mixed emotions. He hated the fact that Mike scared the shit out of Lily and Jessy both. What he did was wrong, but he promised Jessy he’d do whatever he could to help the guy out for his mother’s sake.
“He is going to get probation,” Abel continued. “The state also approved for a nurse to help out, giving him a break. He has to stay away from Jessy, though. He is obsessed with her and I don’t like it.”
Lincoln sat up in his chair, feeling concerned, too. “That makes me feel better, too. Jessy will be happy with the news. I don’t like it but she likes the damn kid.”
“Having a compassionate heart is not a bad thing, Lincoln,” Abel reminded him. “She sympathizes with him. Melanie filled me in on some of the bad things those girls went through while that son of a bitch father drank himself to death.”
“I know.” Lincoln hated what their father had done to his daughters. “I hate what he did. Lily is bitter, but Jessy just pushes it all away and moves forward. I worry about her, Abel. I’d feel better if she got angry and cried, let it all out.”
“Just be there for her, Lincoln,” Abel sad sadly. “Okay. We’re done here. I’ll keep you updated with Jagger. You can go be with your woman.”
Lincoln stood up. “See you later, bro. Oh, I ran into Lora Garcia. I think she really likes you.”
Abel sat back in his chair and rubbed his chin. “I went and had dinner with her a few months back. We had nothing in common. Besides I am much too busy around here.”
Lincoln knew how stubborn his brother was so he let the subject drop. His brother would have to open his eyes sooner or later. For now, he was going to make sure no assholes tried to pick up his woman.
* * * *
“That was torturous,” Lincoln complained as they walked to her car in the parking lot.
Jessy hung on to his arm, enjoying the cool night breeze that was flowing tonight. She felt so happy, but it was also surreal, like it wouldn’t last.
“I’m the one who worked eight hours in heels,” Jessy reminded him. “I’m the one who got my ass slapped.”
He stopped in mid-step and looked back at the building as if thinking about going back in there.
“Who was it?” He growled and she giggled.
“Never mind,” she told him, pulling him to her car. “You were too busy in a dead stare with Gary.”
“Just making sure he knew to stay away from you,” Lincoln scoffed. “I saw you and Nancy having a talk. What was that all about?”
Jessy sighed, feeling upset all over again. “Nancy was just talking about Mike being mentally ill and how glad she was he was let go. They talk about him like he’s a monster and their life was in danger working with him. It pisses me off, Lincoln. I know what he did is wrong, but I don’t believe he would ever have hurt me or any of them, Lincoln.”
Lincoln put his arm around her shoulder as they walked. “I know, Jessy. People are going to gossip about him. Ignore it. He is getting help now and hopefully that will help him get better. We will keep an eye on him and make sure he gets any help he needs.”
“You’re right, I suppose.” She shook her sadness away. Mike had all the help he needed to make his life a little better. It was all up to him now. They reached her car and she unlocked her car door. She smiled up at Lincoln. “Should I follow you to your place, Officer Ramirez?”