Chapter 4 #2
His lips twitch in understanding of how tired I must be from the endless questioning.
“I asked if that’s everything you would like for us to put in the report or if there’s anything else you could think of that might help your boyfriend,” he pauses, pen shifting in his hand, “or that could help you.”
I swallow and shake my head. “What happens now?”
“Now, we are going to head over to another room where a female officer is going to take pictures of the marks on you.”
“We took some earlier this morning on Lawson’s phone.”
“I’ll include those in the report as well, but we want to make sure we catalog everything. Are you comfortable providing more?”
I nod and lick my cracked lips. “What about Lawson? What happens to him now?”
“This case turned into a whole lot more than what the original charges led us to believe. I’m not saying they will disappear completely, but this will help.
A full investigation into what transpired last night will happen.
It may take days or weeks, but it all depends on what is found and how cooperative the involved parties are. ”
“But does he get to go home? Today?”
“Typically we would hold him for twenty-four hours. That’s what protocol calls for.
” My shoulders drop in defeat but he catches my eye with a reassuring look.
“But he has been completely cooperative the entire time and with everything you just told me, it’s clear he is not the danger here.
This was an act of defense in protecting you. ”
I nod, tears gathering in my eyes. “So, he gets to come home?”
“Yes, he will get out on bail today with the petition that he can be called back in for more questions as the investigation continues.”
I shift in my seat. “And the man who attacked me?”
“Once we confirm his identity, we will bring him in. I have a restraining order here on behalf of you and Mr. Moore. I’ll file it as soon as we are done here.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
I follow him out of the room and meet the friendly looking female officer he mentioned earlier. We agree to meet at the front once I’m finished so that I can finish signing some paperwork.
If I thought talking about what happened would be the hard part, nothing could have prepared me for stripping down enough to showcase the evidence of it.
I keep my eyes closed the entire time and the female officer speaks softly, informing me of every move she’s going to make before she does it. When we are done, the officer guides me down the hallway and back to the lobby.
“Sunshine.”
My head snaps to the side and a poorly stifled sob rushes out of me. Lawson quickly closes the distance between us, reaching for me. My arms wrap around his neck and my feet leave the floor when he lifts me in his arms.
He buries his face in my neck, speaking against my skin. “You didn’t—”
“Yes, I did.”
He sets me back down and his large hands move to frame my face. “You amaze me, you know that? Your strength? I wish I had even a fraction of it.”
I open my mouth to tell him that I’m only this strong because of him when Jace calls out from across the room
“We have a problem.” He juts his chin towards the window and my eyes widen when I see the horde of paparazzi lining the pavement outside the station.
Lawson curses under his breath. “Where did you park?”
“Where do you think?” Jace grumbles.
I instinctively step closer to Lawson when multiple camera flashes go off. I know they can’t see us clearly through the tinted glass, but it doesn’t stop the unease from sinking its claws in.
“I think we can help with that.” The kind officer from earlier steps forward, his partner right behind him with a few others. “We’ll hold them back so you can reach your vehicle.”
The boys thank them and the group of officers move to the doors. Lawson lifts the hood of the jumper I’m wearing, tucking stray strands of my hair under the protective covering.
“You’re going to hold on to me and not let go, understood?” I nod and he tsks. “I need your words, sunshine.”
“I understand,” I whisper.
“Good girl,” he murmurs. He tightens the strings on the hood, making sure I’m completely covered and shifts me so I’m tucked under his arm.
I tell myself it’s the nerves of what’s about to happen that has my breath accelerating and goosebumps coating my skin. There’s no way it’s because Lawson fucking Moore just called me a good girl. Focus, Sydney.
Jace tosses his best friend a spare hat. “Ready?”
Lawson’s arm tightens around me and I twist my fist tighter into the fabric of his T-shirt. He glances down at me and I nod. “Let’s do this.”
The cacophony of voices rings in my ears as soon as we step outside. The guys ignore all the words thrown our way, keeping their heads down and strides swift as we move towards Jace’s car on the other side of the street.
Lawson ushers me into the back seat as soon as we reach the black SUV.
I expect him to close the door and sit up front with my brother, but his large body slides in next to me, forcing me to scoot over.
Jace doesn’t hesitate and as soon as our doors close, he revs the car to life and pulls out onto the street.
Exhaustion hits me as the city fades in the rearview, the adrenaline from last night and this morning leaving my system completely. I drop my head to his shoulder, snuggling into his side.
“Thank you for coming to get me. Both of you.” His arm lifts and he shifts so my face is pressed against his chest, his arm banding around me tightly.
“We’ll always come for you, bruv.”
“Always,” I echo quietly, my eyes closing as I sink into the heat of his body.