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“Taken care of,” he says without looking at me.
I narrow my eyes at him, ready to retort, but he yanks me forward. Bastard. I stumble over my feet, barely keeping up with his quick pace as he pulls me through the crowded police station. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as he nods to the chief, standing behind a desk with narrowed eyes. Interesting. That must be their go-to guy. I’ll file that away for later.
Relief slams into me as we step outside into the night air. Long gone are the close quarters of my cement prison. Now, I'm in wide open spaces. My chest swells when I take a deep breath and blow it out with relief.
This is what momentary freedom feels like.
“Kitten!”
My head jerks toward the sound of Arrow's joy-filled voice floating from a dark SUV parked on the side of the empty road, in front of the police department.
Great. They're all here to witness this humiliating walk of shame.
Shepp rests in the driver's seat with the window rolled down, watching my every move with interest-filled eyes. There's something about him. Something mysterious I want to unravel.
Yet, I try not to care. I can't let them wrap me up in their crazy when I have plans of my own. I want a true escape from this hell I've been thrust into by one simple mistake.
Seems I've been making a lot of mistakes in my life lately. Time to be a good little Journey until I can get the fuck out.
Inwardly, I groan at the sight of Arrow jumping out of the SUV with excitement. He's basically an overgrown puppy dog, bounding toward me with a massive grin plastered on his deranged face. Running forward, he opens his arms, engulfing me in an unwanted hug.
I need a shirt that says “No touchy”.
“Arrow,” Jericho warns with a growl when he's yanked forward with the handcuffs.
Note for later, do this more often and yank him around. That'll serve him right for handcuffing me.
“Oh, Kitten. You didn’t think we’d leave you here, did you? We could never,” he confesses, snuggling into me and running his nose up and down the side of my neck with a pleased groan—with an unhinged possession.
Shivers erupt, skittering down my body. Why does something so simple and unwarranted have me in a chokehold. I should be pushing him away and kneeing him in the balls.
Yet, I can't.
“Um, thanks for the bailout,” I say, scrunching my nose when he squeezes the breath from my lungs. “Too much hugging,” I gasp out, punching his back several times with my free hand until he loosens up.
Finally, he releases me with a deep chuckle vibrating his chest. “Ah, Kitten. It’s so good to see you again. Next time, invite me to your parties before you start.” He winks and steps back, only for Jericho to yank me by the wrist attached to his.
I send a scathing look in Jericho's direction when I stumble back into his side. He smirks, fire brewing behind his dark and devious eyes.
Asshole.
I focus on Arrow's words, remembering his arms circled around me and holding me in place just so the police could take me away. Rage consumes me like an explosion. Darkness wavers in my vision. Most people see red before they lash out. I see darkness trying to take over.
Like the night my sister was taken from me.
“Next time? There won’t be a next time. You assholes got me thrown into the slammer,” I snarl, trying to throw Jericho off me.
Trying being the keyword. Instead of letting me go, Jericho pulls me closer. More threateningly, this time. Dominating me without saying a word. The cuff tightens on my wrist, cutting into my flesh.
I wince, swallowing hard, refusing to show the fear bubbling to the surface. Be courageous. Face this like you've faced everything else before. They can't do anything worse than what your monster has done.
Question after question slithers through my mind. What will their bailout cost me in the long run? What will this contract actually entail, besides the handcuffing?
“Now, now,” Jericho says in a patronizing tone. “Let’s get you home. No need to blame us because we came and got you, didn't we? Did they hurt you? Touch you?” As he speaks, his voice reaches new depths. Agitation and possession hold him hostage as he stares down at me with pure evil resonating in his eyes.
“I’ll chop their balls into tiny pieces!” Arrow shouts in hysterics.
Turning on his heel and marching in the opposite direction toward the front doors of the precinct, determination lines his face.
