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The sound of sirens broke the silence of the place and murmurs started. When Rylan heard the doors open, he peeked to see the crowd pointing at someone on the floor. Glancing down to the designated area, Rylan spotted a bloodied and bruised face, swollen and almost unrecognizable. Almost.

“I have a video recorded of the entire incident,” Ruby said.

Knowing he would have to explain everything, Rylan relayed the entire interaction to Cameron and the police, using Tristan’s exact words and telling them how many times Tristan touched or struck him. Despite his throbbing headache and roiling stomach.

“And then I remember it was over and my husband holding me.”

There was a screech coming from the floor, but the sound made Rylan sick to his stomach and he slammed his eyes shut.

“Husband,husband! I’m going to fucking kill you, you hear me, Rylan. I’m going to fuckingkillyou!”

The police lifted a screaming Tristan off the floor and after hearing heavy footsteps retreat away from the booth, his voice soon cut off.

Cameron pulled Rylan close and wrapped his arms around his back, protecting him from the world. The soothing rumble of his words had Rylan’s stomach calming as Cameron explained to the responding officers about their temporary restraining order. A cop handed Cameron their card, and Cameron promised to have the Fort Collins police and his lawyer contact him.

Rylan’s dizziness grew worse and this time when he tried to open his eyes, he noticed the edge of his vision became black.

“Cameron, love,” Rylan whimpered.

“Oh, fuck. You’re bleeding.”

The tears flowing down Cameron’s face was the last thing he saw before the darkness overwhelmed him.