Hidden Depths
Packing

In the apartment I set her up with some food and Dalton helped me pack up some stuff. While we were in Maddison’s room he looked up at me clearly with a question. I waited patiently as I packed some toys.

“Did you ever stay with your ex?” He asked after a minute.

“Yeah why?”

“Was she afraid of that?”

“No, not until he started yelling at and threatening me in front of her. It scared her. I tried to make sure she was out of earshot but sometimes there was just no stopping him.” I admitted. “I’m going to take some of these bags to the car.”

He frowned thoughtfully and nodded. I wondered what he was thinking.

I grabbed my two bags and the one of Maddy’s that was ready, and headed out. I put the bags in my trunk and closed it. Steadying myself I took a deep breath. A loud metallic scratching noise came from behind me, making me jump. I spun to see Blake staring at me as he ran his key along the side of Dalton’s car.

“Go away.” I demanded in a shaky tone.

“You really think you can get rid of me that easily? You. Belong. To me!” He snapped angrily backhanding me.

“No I don’t.” I spat, swinging to try to punch him.

He caught my hand, throwing me to the ground. I heard Maddy shriek and hoped she didn’t come out. I had momentarily forgotten that this time was different.

“Shut up, Maddison!” Blake shouted at her before turning back to me.

“Don’t talk to her like that.” I said stubbornly as I started to get up.

“Shut up!” He yelled again, and I braced for the blow that didn’t come.

When I looked up Dalton had Blake pinned against the back of my car, with his arm twisted unnaturally behind him. The look on Dalton’s face sent shivers down my spine. That was before I noticed the gun pressed harshly into Blake’s lower back. I froze, unsure what to do.

“Are you okay, Chels?” Dalton asked in a voice that was so contradicting to his whole demeanor that I took a minute to respond.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I said as I stood back up rubbing my wrist where Blake had grabbed it.

Dalton nodded, turning back to Blake.

“My dads the police chief!” Blake growled pathetically. “I can have you thrown in prison.”

Dalton laughed, “Oh so your old Mike Miller’s kid. Makes sense.” Dalton’s voice dripped with false pleasantries. “Go ahead and cry to daddy kid. He would love to try to lock me up, again. However, it hasn’t worked yet and he’s had much better cases.”

I was stunned, why was he so chill about this? And what was with the cases against him? I wasn’t sure I wanted to know but by now everything was pointing to some kind of gang involvement. I had to ask myself what I would do if it was. Knowing Dalton well enough to know kidnapping, rape, and torture weren’t his thing; I knew I would stay with him.

Dalton hissed in Blake’s ear, “I owe you thanks. I have been itching to meet you, and you made it so fucking easy.”

His voice was cold and dark, completely unfazed by the whole situation. I shivered, then slowly approached them. As terrifying as it should be, I wanted to be closer to Dalton when he did let Blake go. I was fairly sure he would let Blake go.

“I don’t know what you are talking about! You’re crazy!” Blake yelled.

“Yeah, I am.” Dalton shrugged unfazed, “At least I’m not a fucking coward beating the shit out of women and children.”

My blood froze in my veins. No he hadn’t hit Maddison, had he? I hadn’t thought it possible when we were together but now, I knew it was not only possible but likely. I bit my lip waiting for the denial.

“You don’t understand, they wanted it. They were asking for it.” Blake responded and a red filter clouded my vision. My blood thawed and was now boiling.

“You hit my daughter?!” I yelled, grabbing the back of his head and slamming his face into the car. Cracks spread across the glass like a spider web.

Dalton grinned quickly before leaning right next to Blakes ear. “If I ever see you again, or hear that you were anywhere near my girls, I will kill you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I’m not stupid,” Blake snapped.

Dalton chuckled, “that’s debatable.”

Then Dalton spun him around and shoved him roughly forward. Blake stumbled and fell before getting up and storming away. Dalton slid his gun back under his jacket. Then he turned to me brushing his fingers across my cheek.

“Think I have seen you with a swollen cheek more often than not.” He grumbled.

I chuckled but then started crying again. “He hit her and I didn’t even know. How did you know?!”

He frowned, “That first day I played with her in the yard she flinched every time I reached to give her something. Then there’s the fact that for people like that, they don’t care who they hurt. They just go after anyone weaker than themselves. It was a guess.”

How had I not noticed the same stuff? Had I not been there, that same day? I should have known. I should have protected her.

“Hey,” Dalton said sternly, “it’s not your fault. It’s his. He is gone and you are both safe now. It’s not your fault. Maddy is going to want you. I told her to stay inside”

I nodded, knowing that he was right. This didn’t make it any easier to accept. When we got inside I found Maddison curled up in the corner in her room crying. The sight broke my heart, but at least she was okay.

“Mommy!” She squealed running to me. “Are you okay?”

“Yes baby I’m okay.” I picked her up and sat on the bed

“Is Mr. Dalton?” She asked, still worried.

“Of course.” Dalton’s voice came from behind me. “He couldn’t hurt me.”

Dalton smiled as Maddy looked up at him. Her blue eyes were still brimming with tears, but she smiled back. She looked up at him with an adoration that made me chuckle. You would have thought Dalton was a superhero. When I thought about it though, from her perspective he was.

“Thank you.” I said, realizing I hadn’t said it before.

“Of course.” He smiled, clearly relieved. “Are you ladies ready to leave?”

Maddy nodded adamantly, and Dalton beamed at her. It was weird to feel the fear of her trusting mixed with the amusement of his reaction. On one hand I didn’t want her getting hurt, on the other I was trusting him completely at this point. Literally moving in with him for safety.

“What are you overthinking now?” Dalton asked with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. “Everything, what’s new.”