Page 19 of Mitch

Chapter Eight

“Hello?”

Mitch twisted his head as Autumn answered her phone, curious by the surprised tone of her voice. Few people should have her number so any calls should be at least half expected. He glanced back at the road, slowing, and pulling into a layby seeing the expression on her face. Her eyes shot to his, wide and horrified, with fear in their depths that ripped his guts open like a blunt knife.

“How did you get this number?” Her voice was barely a whisper as her fingers gripped the handset, going bloodless. Her breath was coming faster, as she began to panic.

Mitch had seen enough. Taking the phone from her, he snarled, “Who is this?” He could hear the person breathing on the other end of the phone, and then it went dead.

Hanging up he placed the phone in the centre console having no intention of giving her the phone back before Will could get a look at it.

“Who was that?”

His voice was sharper than he intended, concern making him react and take charge as if this was a mission. He saw her flinch and softened his tone as he slipped his seat belt off, and doing the same to hers, dragged her into his arms. Her body was shaking so badly it felt as if she was having a seizure, her breath see-sawing in and out rapidly as she descended into a panic attack.

“Just breathe slowly, in and out. Count with me, honey. One. Two. Three in. Four. Five. Six out.” He did it with her hoping she’d mimic his actions and was glad when her breathing evened out.

“Talk to me, honey. Who called you?”

“My brother-in-law.”

Mitch frowned, knowing he wasn’t getting all the information and trying to remain calm and give her what she needed emotionally. “Okay?”

Her shaking began to subside, and she pulled away, her defeated eyes making him want to tear the person who’d put that look there apart.

“He was the man who got my husband involved with the person who killed him, and who I’m running from.”

Mitch didn’t like it. Nobody should be able to get hold of her and certainly nobody involved with her case. “What did he say?”

“That he needed to speak to me.”

“Is this your sister’s husband or your husband’s family?” His brain was running through scenarios in his head as she spoke.

“It’s my husband’s family, his sister’s husband.”

“And he was the middle-man between your old man and this person?” He didn’t like to think of this unknown man as Autumn’s husband.

“Yes.”

Mitch took her hand and made sure her eyes were on him before he spoke. The look of trust she put in him was overwhelming, and he knew he wouldn’t do anything to make her regret that.

“Honey, I think we should bring my team in on this. We have the resources to protect you properly and the manpower. But to do that you need to tell us everything.” Her back stiffened as she tried to pull away, but he held fast.

“Autumn, this man found you, so it stands to reason the man he works for can as well.” He saw the flair of fear mist her eyes, her jaw flexing as she swallowed. “I’m not trying to frighten you, but you need to see the bigger picture here.”

“But I’m not meant to break the terms of my protection. They could take even that away, and then Maggie and I will be on our own. Believe me, I don’t want to be in this position. I trust the police to keep me safe only marginally more than I trust the man that ruined my life.” Autumn pushed her hair out of her way in a nervous gesture he’d seen her do before.

Mitch wondered at her comment, knowing many people were wary of the police force, but not pegging Autumn as one. “They won’t. Trust me when I say we have the contacts to stop that happening. We’re also a fuck of a lot more trained for this than the local police force, and that’s taking nothing away from them. Fuck, our boss’s fiancée, Aubrey, is a detective on the force.”

“Aubrey?” Autumn tipped her head at his words, her brown furrowing.

“Yeah, Aubrey Herbert. She’s a good friend.”

“She’s my contact. She seemed okay, actually.”

“Then this is perfect. Aubrey will vouch for us and make sure you don’t lose police protection. She’s one of the good ones, Autumn. But, honey, whatever happens, you’re not alone. You and Maggie have me, and I have my team.”

He saw her shoulders sag and couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms, wanting to keep her there until any threat against her was taken care of permanently.