“ There ’ s been some type of mistake , officers . I ’ m here by my —”
“ Quit lying , Kurt ,” Val shouted . His head whipped in her direction , lightning flashing in his eyes . She returned his glare . Evidently he was banking on her being afraid to speak up while he played Mr . Nice Guy for the police .
One of the officers jiggled the knob on the locked security door . A female officer demanded , “ Open up — right now !”
“ Everything ’ s fine ,” Kurt said as he closed the wooden door , leaving just enough of a crack to peek out of . “ We don ’ t need your help .”
“ If we have to tell you one more time to let us in , I ’ m going to shoot this lock off ,” the baritone voice outside impatiently roared .
Val moved in , shoved Kurt out of the way and turned the deadbolt on the heavy glass door . She swung it wide open and stepped back , feeling Kurt ’ s heated gaze on her the whole time as the officers marched in . A statuesque cop with bleachedblonde hair peeking from her hat moved immediately to Val , conducting a quick assessment of her from head to toe . Val had no illusions about her own wrecked appearance . She finger-combed her shoulder-length spiral curls into place .
“ What ’ s your name , ma ’ am ?” the female cop asked . She guided Val by the elbow to the suede sofa . “ Are you all right ?”
Val balanced her curvy frame on the arm of the couch , staring at Kurt . She studied his face for any sign of regret . What she found was a murderous glare that almost made her wither .
Almost .
She closed her eyes and weighed her options . It would be better to talk to the police and incur her husband ’ s wrath now than to keep quiet and continue the argument alone later .
“ My name is Valencia Timmons , and that ’ s my husband Kurt . We were arguing about my pregnancy , and then he threatened me .”
“ No , I didn ’ t !”
“ Shut it !” the burly officer standing next to Kurt snapped . “ You already lied about being in here by yourself .”
“ We don ’ t need you here ,” Kurt protested , his rigid shoulders heaving in an effort to remain calm .
The giant officer stepped in front of Kurt and pulled a set of handcuffs from his duty belt . “ If I have to put you in the back of my squad car to give Officer Buchanan a chance to take your wife ’ s statement , that ’ s what I ’ ll do .” The cuffs
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