Luke's PoV

It had been a few days since Bobby showed up at Julie's work and Julie was back to doing her morning shifts. I accompanied her and stayed in the store while she worked though just in case. Her staff were also informed to call the police the moment they saw Bobby as he was still wanted for questioning. We had been questioned a few times on where he would hide and sadly we didn't have any answers. Bobby was good at hiding and hunting, the only clue we had was that if he was hunting Julie, he would wait till we felt safe before striking which didn't help any one else feel at ease.

Julie had handed in her two week notice when she did return to work though, we had talked it over with our agent and worked out the logistics of how a crazy drive like that would work. We would drive a little bit every day, perform every second night to give our voices a chance to rest and we had to hire a truck to carry our band equipment, our furniture, beds and lives across America. The drive was only forty three hours long so we would break it up into small chunks so we could sight see as well. Alex was happy to drive that since he had his licence for trucks for work that he did a few years ago. Kira would ride in the main car or with Alex and we would have to make pee breaks and walk breaks for her so she wouldn't get too stressed out.

Since Bobby was on the run, we were able to use our spare key and help load the truck with all of Julie's possessions. Most of them we had but stuff like her drawers, her TV, her cutlery and matching dish set, her cooking machines such as her slow cooker and bread maker that we had given to her for numerous Christmas presents. Her couch and the bed were all Julie's, Bobby had a couch, television and drawers too but we left those behind.

Somehow Alex and our agent had managed to find a house that we could stay in every night which made the trip possible for Kira, we could lock her inside and know she would be safe while we performed and she would have a backyard to run in when we were home.

I was currently trying to sleep on the couch, it wasn't very comfortable after the fifth night but I didn't want to make Julie feel uncomfortable. To make matters worse, Kira had decided to abandon Julie and curl up between my legs making it nearly impossible to doze off with a giant husky stealing all the room. At some point though I managed to doze off for a small time till Kira nipped me gently on my finger. I sat up and was about to ask what that was for when I heard it, my window was gently and slowly being opened. I thanked the gods that we never close our doors or I would have missed the noise as I raced to Alex's room which was the furthest. I quickly woke him up with my hand over his mouth to keep him quiet.

"Someone is breaking into my room, call the police!" I whispered before making my way back down the hallway taking Alex's baseball bat as I left. I quickly woke up Reggie then he followed me quietly down the hallway for back up. It was dead silent in my room and I could only just make out a shape sitting on my bed, it had to be Bobby but what was he doing? That was when we finally heard the choking sounds and saw Julie struggling fruitlessly to get away and breathe.

I nodded at Reggie and pointed to the light and got ready to swing. Reggie gave me a few seconds before turning it on and blinding us all. I was ready though and let the bat fly with all of my strength the moment I identified that it was Bobby choking Julie, hitting him on his chest with a loud smack. I then quickly grabbed Julie's hand and pulled her out of my bed, she happily obliged and threw herself into my arms. I passed the bat over to Reggie who stood in front of us as Alex came in to stand next to me. He softly caressed Julie's face before stepping forward, taking the bat from Reggie and holding it up in an attacking posture, and glared down at Bobby who was fumbling on the ground for air.

I took a moment to rub my eyes to adjust to the light and pulled Julie back a bit while keeping her in my arms. Kira was currently on the couch, fur up but staying still. We had a system, bark like crazy if we were asleep and she couldn't wake us in time, but if we are awake or she wakes us, be silent to allow us to check on what's happening. She was currently in a fighting stance, ready as back up on the couch if we needed it.

I looked down at Julie and could already see purple ugly hand print marks showing on her neck, I could also see a lot more, she was only in a singlet and her underwear. But the fact that she was bra less and pressed against my chest wasn't what registered in my mind, it was the cuts on her legs, the burn marks, the bruises that were uncovered when her singlet was pulled up by my arms. I found my hoodie that was on the back of the couch and wrapped it around her. She let go of me for a moment to put her hands in and then went back to holding onto me for dear life drowning in the hoodie that was too big for her and and went down almost to her knees.

"Get out Bobby, now or I will beat you with this and let Kira finish you off" said Alex in the scariest voice I had ever heard him use as he walked forward to intimidate Bobby who was currently smirking on the floor.
"I got past your guard dog, I can do it again" he said as he climbed out the window. Reggie informed the police that were on the line that he just left and to look for him down the alleyways. Alex closed the window and came to check on Julie who was currently trembling in my arms.
"Reggie, tell them to send an ambulance team here, they need to look at her neck" he said as he gently caressed her tear stained cheek before hugging us both gently.
"Um, how do you know?" Reggie asked.
"Basic first aid, a medical evaluation is crucial if someone's been strangled. An injury to her neck may not be serious right away, but swelling in the tissues around the trachea can lead to a secondary restriction of air flow a few minutes after the neck is free" he informed us.

Reggie quickly asked for an ambulance and Alex found her some pants to put on while I continued stroking her back trying to encourage her to breathe and relax. She had pulled on pants when he finally found some and I did the zip up on my hoodie. We had all seen the numerous marks on her body but none of us wanted to question her about it right now. Instead Alex had resumed holding us both gently and Reggie had joined in also on the other side in our massive bear hug around Julie. She was so small between us giants that worked out at the gym five days a week and all were pretty muscly.

The ambulance came in a few minutes later and I put Kira on a leash just to make sure she wouldn't bolt, she was a Husky after all. Kira sat there like a good girl though and didn't fuss, even got a few pats from one of the girls. They looked at her neck and assessed the damage after a few tests and said she should be fine but would have nasty bruises for about a week and possible tenderness or loss of voice for a few days.

After they had left Alex had dragged us into his room after instructing Reggie to grab his duvet and mine from our beds and letting Kira off of her leash.
"Yeah we are sleeping in here from now on, there's a lock on my door and window, I just call dibs on the end near the wall, it's my favorite place to sleep" he said as he gently pushed me and Julie towards the bed. I followed Julie's lead since I wasn't sure if she would be comfortable with this but she climbed on Alex's bed and settled in the middle, leaving room for Alex. She hadn't let go of my hand so I had followed after being pulled gently. Reggie came back with our duvet that I pulled over our legs then Reggie climbed in next to me with his. Alex called in Kira next then closed the door and locked it. Kira whimpered a little bit but once we called her up onto the bed she settled down between me and Reggie's legs. Alex then turned off the light and used his torch on his phone to awkwardly climb into his bed against the wall.

It was a very big bed, but with all four of us and a dog it was a little cramped. Julie had started taking off my hoodie and pants to throw onto the floor since it was too hot with all four of us in the bed to be dressed in that many layers.
"Who thought the first time any of us would have a girl in the same bed as us would be when we are trying to protect them from their sadistic ex bf" Reggie mumbled happily to himself. Alex and I groaned and told Reggie to go to sleep. His jokes were terrible sometimes but then Kira had to add her own flavor to the mix. Kira farted and it wasn't a nice one, it smelt like five day old meat.
"I'm sorry Julie, Kira and Reggie tell terrible jokes, it's why they get along so well" I said as I glared in Kira's direction.
"It's kinda funny" she whispered.
"Does your throat hurt when you talk?" I asked as I reached up in the dark to stroke her cheek gently with my hand.
Julie nodded her head yes.
"Well just rest it then, goodnight all" I said as I rolled over to face Julie's body. I wasn't going to end up spooning Reggie by accident.

Julie had rolled over also and snuggled into my chest, resting her head on my arm after she gently pulled it out from my side. Julie then pulled my other hand over her waist so she could snuggle deep into my t-shirt. She was back to wearing a singlet with underwear and this time I couldn't help but notice how her body felt when it was flush against my chest. My right hand was grazing the lace of her underwear and I had to take a few breaths to calm my racing heart. This was going to be a long night, I told myself and worked to stay completely still after snaking my right hand up her back and into her hair into safe territory. I at least had a lot of experience with cuddling Kira. Eventually my hormones calmed down and I was able to join in the chorus of soft snoring as I drifted into sleep.