His tone carried a dangerous anger that I had never heard before.
Then bright lights flashed across the yard. “Police. Open the door now.”
I moved toward the edge of the roof and lowered myself slowly, gripping Alden tightly. We dropped into the grass. My knees hit the earth painfully but I held my son firmly so he would not feel the impact.
Officers flooded the porch. There was a brief struggle in the hallway. Feet pounded. Commands shouted. A sharp cry of pain. Then silence.
Flynn arrived minutes later, running across the yard with panic etched across his face. He threw his arms around us and held us with a strength that threatened to break me.
“I have you.” he said again and again. “You are safe now.”
Briella stepped outside holding her newborn against her shoulder. Her face was wet with tears. “I had no idea.” she whispered. “I swear I had no idea he would ever do something like that.”
I believed her. But I also understood something new. Some dangers do not announce themselves. Some dangers smile politely. Some dangers wait until two in the morning while the rest of the house sleeps. Some dangers lock the door from the outside and assume no one will notice until it is far too late.
