Chapter Thirty-Four
Juniper
The warmth of Zade’s embrace still lingers on my skin, and for a moment, everything feels like it’s finally falling into place.
But that fleeting peace shatters when I hear the rumble of engines and the unmistakable flash of red and blue lights through the window.
My heart leaps into my throat. Cops. My mind races, trying to make sense of what’s happening, but all I can focus on is the ominous feeling that this is far from good.
Zade notices it too, and he pulls away from me, his calm demeanor only making my anxiety spike higher. “Stay here,” he says calmly, like this is just another inconvenience and not a squad of police officers showing up at our door.
But standing still has never really been my thing—especially when something feels off.
I follow him to the door. There’s this thudding in my chest that won’t quit, and everything around me just fades out.
The porch light hits weird, stretching shapes across the steps.
Two cops stand at the bottom. Neither of them shows any emotion on their face.
That makes it worse. I can feel something bad coming.
“Zade Patterson?” One of the offi cers asks. His tone is formal, though it’s clear he knows exactly who Zade is.
“That’s me,” Zade replies, casually, like he’s confirming a dinner reservation and not responding to a police inquiry. His hands are in his pockets, and he looks about as concerned as someone waiting for their coffee order.
“We’re here to arrest you for beating up Mayor Brian Ellis,” the cop says, dead flat.
For a second, I can’t process what I’m hearing. Assaulting the mayor? Zade? My mind whirls, trying to catch up, but the words seem to hang in the air, refusing to make sense.
“Wait, what?” I finally manage to say, turning to Zade with wide eyes. “You did what?”
Zade just shrugs, his expression almost bored. “He had it coming,” he replies, as if that’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.
I’m staring at him like he’s lost his mind. “You punched the mayor?” I repeat, my tone rising with disbelief. This can’t be real. Not after everything that’s happened, after everything we’ve been through.
“He was running his mouth,” Zade tries to explain. “Someone needed to shut him up.”
The officers step forward. My grip tightens around Zade’s arm. “You can’t just go with them!” The words come out fast. “This is serious, Zade!”
Zade looks at me, and despite the gravity of the situation, he smiles. It’s that infuriatingly calm, reassuring smile that does nothing to ease the panic gripping my chest. “Juniper, it’s fine. They’re just doing their job. I’ll be out by morning.”
“But—“ I start to argue, but Zade gently cuts me off, his hand cupping my cheek. His touch is warm and solid, a total 180 degrees to the cold dread settling in my gut.
“Listen to me,” he whispers softly, his eyes locking onto mine with a calm that feels almost unnatural. “I’ll be fine. Get some sleep, rest, and for God’s sake, don’t worry.”
The officers move in to cuff him, and it’s like I’m watching a nightmare play out in slow motion.
I feel completely helpless as they secure his wrists, the click of the handcuffs making my stomach turn.
Zade doesn’t flinch, doesn’t resist—he just looks over his shoulder at me, that infuriatingly calm expression still on his face.
“See you in the morning,” he calls out, as if this is just another routine day and not the start of something terrible.
I watch as they lead him to the squad car, my feet frozen to the spot. My mind is screaming at me to do something to stop this from happening, but I can’t move or think. I’m left standing on the porch, the world suddenly off balance.
As the car drives away, the lights fading into the distance, reality crashes down on me like a tidal wave. How can I not worry? How can he expect me to just go back inside and pretend everything is fine when he’s being hauled off to jail?
I head back inside the cabin, the warmth o f the fire doing nothing to chase away the cold that’s settled in my bones.
I can’t sit still, pacing back and forth, my mind racing with a million thoughts.
It makes me sick to my stomach to think about him in a jail cell, while Brian probably smirks somewhere, satisfied with himself.
I don’t know how long I sit there, staring at the fire without really seeing it. Minutes, hours—it all blurs together. But one thing is clear: I can’t just sit here and do nothing. The fear gnaws at me, but I push it aside. I won’t let Brian get away with this. I won’t let Zade face this alone.
As soon as the first light of dawn creeps through the curtains, I’m out the door, heading to the police station in Zade’s car. My hands shake as I grip the steering wheel and head to the station.
By the time I reach the station, the sky is still a dull gray, and the morning light is struggling to break through the clouds.
I park and practically storm inside, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears that I can barely hear anything else.
The police station is quieter than I expected, the early hour leaving it mostly empty.
But that doesn’t stop the stares when I march up to the front desk.
“I need to see Zade Patterson.” I demand louder than I intended, but I don’t care. I don’t have time for pleasantries or protocols.
The officer behind the desk looks up from his computer, surprised by my sudden appearance. “Ma’am, visiting hours don’t start until—“
“I don’t care about visiting ho urs!” I cut him off. “You have no right to hold him. This is all a mistake, and I need to see him. Now.”
"Ma'am, please," the officer tries again, like he's talking to some upset kid, which just pisses me off more. I'm not getting brushed aside. Not today.
“No, you listen to me,” I snap, my hands slamming down on the counter as I lean forward, glaring at him. “Zade Patterson is innocent, and you’re holding him because of some petty grudge the mayor has against him!”
“Miss, please calm down,” the officer interrupts, but I’m past the point of calming down.
“Don't tell me to calm down!” I shout, my voice reverberating across the station. “This is ridiculous! You’re arresting a good man because the mayor can’t handle a little reality check. Do you think I’m just going to stand by and let you throw him in jail like some common criminal?”
The few people that are there start to take notice, heads turning, eyes widening as they watch me unleash my fury. I know I’m making a scene, but I don’t care. I can’t just sit back and do nothing. Not when it’s Zade.
I’m about to launch into another tirade when I feel a hand on my shoulder. It’s firm but gentle, and for a second, I think it’s another officer trying to calm me down. But when I whirl around, ready to unleash more of my anger, I see it’s Zade.
He’s standing there, looking tired and a little worse for wear, but he’s out. He’s free. Relief floods through me so quickly that my knees nearly buckle. I throw my arms around him, holding him tightly, feeling his solid warmth against me, and reassuring me that he’s okay .
“Hey.” The word drifts out soft, ragged with exhaustion. “It’s okay. I’m out.”
Tears prick at my eyes, and I pull back just enough to look up at him, searching his face for any sign that he’s hurt or upset. “But... how? What happened? They said—“
Zade smiles. "My company pulled some strings," he shrugs, casual, like getting out of jail's just another Tuesday for him. "I'm good. Don't worry about it."
“No need to worry?” I repeat, my voice rising with disbelief. “They arrested you, Zade! They put you in handcuffs and took you away like... like some criminal! And you’re just standing here like it’s nothing?”
He shrugs, grin crooked. “Punch a mayor, earn a set of handcuffs—go figure.”
I glare at him, even as relief continues to flood through me. “That’s not funny, Zade. You could’ve been stuck in there. What if your company hadn’t pulled those strings? What if—”
He cuts me off with a soft chuckle, pulling me closer and resting his forehead against mine. “Juniper, you’re overthinking this. I’m out. Everything’s fine.”
“No, it’s not fine!” I protest. “You can’t just punch people, especially the mayor, and act like it’s no big deal!”
Zade leans back a bit, face going softer as he brushes a tear off my cheek. "H e deserved it," he says under his breath, but there's something fierce behind it—he definitely means it. "If I'd known you'd get this worked up over me, I'd have punched that asshole way sooner."
I open my mouth to argue, to tell him how reckless and stupid he’s being, but the words die on my lips.
Because he’s right. I do care. Maybe more than I want to admit.
I let out a shaky breath and hug him again, tighter this time, like if I hold on tight enough, I can keep him safe from everything, including himself.
Zade’s arms wrap around me, holding me close, and for a moment, the chaos of the last twenty-four hours melts away. It’s just us standing in the middle of the police station, but it feels like we’re in our own little world.
“Thank you for coming here,” he murmurs against my hair. “And for fighting for me. It was... hot.”
I pull back slightly, just enough to see his face, and roll my eyes even as a small smile tugs at my lips. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Guilty as charged,” he quips, that familiar teasing glimmer returning to his eyes.
For a second, I just look at him. I don’t move.
I don’t speak. He drives me nuts half the time, but somehow, standing this close.
.. I don’t feel on edge. I feel like I can breathe.
And in that moment, I realize something.
Zade may be impossible and infuriating, but he’s also mine.
Whether I like it or not, he’s gotten under my skin, and I can’t ignore it.
And maybe—just maybe —I don’t want to.
We finally pull apart, and I wipe the last of the tears from my eyes, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “So, what happens now?”
“Well, I’ve been told to keep my distance from the mayor,” Zade says with a smirk, “and to avoid getting into any more ‘altercations.’“
“I think that’s good advice,” I reply dryly, though I can’t help but smile.
As we step outside, I breathe in the morning air, feeling like I can finally exhale after holding my breath for so long. I glance at Zade, taking in the way his shoulders seem lighter. It’s a relief to see him like this, even if it’s only for a moment.
“I was serious, you know,” he says suddenly. “Seeing you stand up for me like that... It meant a lot.”
I look up at him, my heart doing that annoying, fluttery thing again. “You stood up for me first.”
“Yeah, well,” he shrugs, a smirk playing on his lips. “I guess we make a good team then.”
When we get to the car, Zade opens the door for me with a flourish, bowing like some cheesy knight from a movie. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
I laugh, rolling my eyes at his theatrics, but there’s no denying the warmth that spreads through me at his playful gesture. “You’re such a dork.”
“But you love it,” h e shoots back, winking at me as I climb into the car.
Just as I settle into the passenger seat, I hear voices behind us. I turn to see a group of townspeople gathered, their expressions etched with disdain.
“Hey, look! It’s the sellout and the—“ one of them jeers, but hesitates before finishing the insult. Another person pipes up, less hesitant.
“Hey, Juniper! How does it feel knowing Zade’s just using you? He’s still building that fancy resort in our town, and you’re okay with it?”
My face falls, the warm glow from our moment together snuffed out by their harsh words. Zade, who had been about to close my door, straightens up and turns to face them.
“Ah, the charming townsfolk,” Zade drawls. “Did you all get together for a community sing-along or just to shout insults at people?”
“Shut up, Patterson!” one of the men yells. “We know what you’re doing. You’re just using Juniper as your little puppet.”
Zade’s smirk only widens. “Right, because manipulating a town of conspiracy theorists is my idea of a good time. I’m flattered that you think I have that much free time and energy.”
“You think you’re so smart,” another woman snaps. “But we know what kind of man you are. You’re not welcome here.”
Zade arches a skeptical brow, shooting a quick glance my way before turning back.
“Trust me, the feeling goes both ways. But let’s set one thing straight.
I’m not using Juniper. She’s not some pawn, puppet, or whatever twisted narrative you've got running in your heads. She makes her own choices, and she’s stronger than any of you realize. ”
The crowd bristles, but Zade doesn’t give them a chance to respond. He turns back to me, his expression softening slightly. “Ready to go?”
I nod, still feeling the sting of their words but also a strange warmth from Zade’s defense. As he walks around to the driver’s side, the voices continue to hurl insults, but he doesn’t react.
We drive away, the tension from the confrontation lingering in the air. I stare out the window, trying to process everything. “They think I’m just... I don’t know. They think I’m okay with everything you’re doing.”
Zade glances over, his expression serious. “Do you think that?”
I sigh, shaking my head. “I don’t know what to think anymore. These people have been mean to me before, and when the whole resort thing came up, I thought maybe I could turn things around, win them over by saving the town. But now... I see it doesn’t even matter. They’re not worth it.”
He reaches over, his hand brushing mine. “You don’t need anyone’s approval. I didn’t realize that was part of why you opposed the resort.”
“Yeah, Zade,” I say, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Everyone thought you had an ulterior motive, but it was actually me. I tried to fix things, to win them over, and I failed miserably.”
He squeezes my hand gently. “Don’t beat yourself up, Juniper. It’s normal to want to be cherished and accepted. But don’t worry —we’ll fix things. We’ll figure it out together.”