Chapter 2 Kellan #2
The officer steps closer, the asshole already posed with a notebook and a pen like this is just some routine investigation. “Son, my name is Detective Morrison. Can you tell me what happened? Start from the beginning and take your time."
I close my eyes, trying to organize the memories.
"I was coming back from getting coffee. Heard shouting, looked up and saw the ladder shaking.
There were two Alphas at the bottom, messing with it while that Beta was trying to climb down.
They just kept shaking the ladder." I open my eyes, meeting the officer’s gaze.
"They kept shaking it even when he was clearly scared and asking them to stop.
Then the ladder came off the roof completely and he fell. "
The officer scratches down my description of the event. "Can you describe these Alphas for me?"
I try to picture them, but it's all a blur. Everything happened so fast. "Big guys. Burly. Both of them were wearing jeans, I think? One had a red shirt, or maybe it was blue. I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention to them once I saw him fall."
"That's okay," Morrison says. "What happened after he fell?"
"I ran over to him. He was just lying there, not moving, and there was so much blood." My voice shakes, the words coming out all wobbly. "The two Alphas took off running when they realized how badly he was hurt. I didn't chase them. Maybe I should have? But I couldn’t leave him."
"There's a large gash across his chest," Morrison says, watching me carefully. "From his neck down to his stomach. Can you tell me about that?"
"What?" I look up sharply, wondering if Morrison thinks it was me. "No, when I got to him it was already there. He must have caught himself on something when he fell. Piece of metal, maybe? I don't know."
Morrison makes another note. "I'm not suggesting you caused it. I just need to get all the details for my report.”
“Is he going to be alright?"
Morrison's face softens slightly. "I have no idea, son, but that kid is pretty sturdy. I know his family, knew his father before he passed. Micah's got Davis blood in him. They're tough."
Micah. The Beta's name is Micah.
"Can you describe the Alphas in any more detail?" Morrison continues. "Hair color? Height? Any distinguishing features?"
I hold up my hands to answer, the stiffness in my fingers and the dried blood making my stomach lurch one last time. Yeah, no, fuck this. "Excuse me," I manage, shoving up from the chair and stumbling toward the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I start heaving.
When the retching finally subsides, I slump against the wall, my breathing coming in small pants, sweat beading across my forehead.
I force myself to stand and make my way to the sink, catching sight of my reflection in the mirror.
Blood is smeared across my cheek, dried in streaks down my neck.
My whole outfit needs to be burned but it's my eyes that catch me.
Wide and slightly wild, rimmed with red.
I look scared in a way I haven't looked since I was a kid.
He better be okay, I tell myself, although I don’t know why I’m so pressed about it.
I turn on the water and start scrubbing at my hands, watching the pink-tinged water swirl down the drain. It takes several attempts to get my hands clean. I wash my face next, careful around my piercings, watching Micah's blood disappear into the sink.
My shirt comes off next, peeling away from my skin where the blood has made it stick.
I'm just standing there in my jeans and boots when I realize I can't go back out there like this.
I can't face the questions and Tom's inevitable pivot to how this affects our image.
Tom can fix whatever he needs to out there while I drown myself in steam and lose myself in my thoughts.
It’s better for everyone that way, anyway.
After all, I’m the fucking problem child, the lone wolf Alpha of Lunar Ransom.
It fits my entire image if I just refuse to answer any more questions.
Unfortunately, I’ve barely just flicked the shower knob on when the bathroom door flies open, Tom walking in, his phone already out.
He doesn't even look up as he starts talking.
"Don't worry about the officer or the paramedic. They got what they needed from you. If they need anything else, they'll call." He waves his hand dismissively in the air, a small smile curving his lips upward. "We've got the meet and greet in an hour. You think you'll be ready for it?"
I stare at him. A man just fell from a roof right in front of me. Micah is in an ambulance right now, maybe dying. There's blood caked in places it definitely shouldn’t be and Tom is worried about a meet and greet?
The retort is on the tip of my tongue. Something about priorities and basic human decency. But then I remember who I'm dealing with. Tom doesn't care about things that aren't part of the plan. Detours are problems to be managed.
I swallow the angry words and force myself to nod. "Yeah. I'll be ready."
"Great." Tom finally looks up from his phone. "People are already saying you're a hero, saving one of the locals. This is actually excellent publicity. You, the problem child rockstar, risking yourself to save a working-class Beta. Very humanizing. We can definitely spin this."
I force back a snarl, watching Tom walk back out, the Alpha pressing his phone to his ear. "Sarah? Yeah, we need to capitalize on this. Get me every photo from the scene, preferably ones where Kellan looks heroic..."
The door closes behind him and I immediately strip off the rest of my clothes. Jeans, boxers, socks, boots all pile in the corner. I'll probably just throw them away.
Then I step into the shower, turning the water as hot as I can stand before just bowing my head beneath the spray, letting the water pour over me, trying to understand what the fuck just happened.
An hour ago, I was annoyed about being dragged to some small-town charity gala. I was drinking a Dr Pepper and mentally counting down the hours until we could leave.
Now there's a Beta in the hospital. Micah Davis with his dark eyes and his soft smile.
His scent is burned into my memory, that whiskey and vanilla combination that felt right in a way I can't explain.
The trust in his eyes when he touched my face still lingers, like I was more than just a stranger.
Did I even do enough? Should I have done something different? The questions circle endlessly. I ran over as soon as I saw him fall. Someone called 911 immediately. I kept him still like I’m supposed to with neck injuries. But what if moving him made things worse?
What if he dies and it's because I didn't know what I was doing?
The thought makes me feel sick again, but there's nothing left in my stomach. I slide down to sit in the shower, water cascading over me. This isn't me. I don't fall apart like this. I'm Kellan Hayes, lead drummer of Lunar Ransom, the problem child who doesn't care what anyone thinks.
But I can't stop seeing Micah's face.