16. Kaylani
Chapter 16
Kaylani
N erves flutter in my stomach as I follow closely behind Creed, my senses heightened, alert to any sign of danger. The sounds of our footsteps echo in the narrow hallway as we descend the stairs, each step bringing us closer to whatever awaits us downstairs.
Candi's grip on the handgun tightens as we make our way back to the main area of the club. "I don't like this," she mutters, her eyes scanning the room for any hint of movement.
Creed's brow furrows in frustration as he checks the security cameras on his phone, his expression tense. "There's nothing here," he says, his voice tinged with frustration.
But just as he speaks, a noise from the back of the club catches our attention. We turn as one, our hearts pounding in our chests as we stride to the club's back door.
Creed's hand hovers over the doorknob for a moment. "Hello?" he calls out, his posture defensive. "Who's there?"
"This is Sheriff Bradshaw. Please open the door. We would like to ask you a few questions about the incident from last week," Liam's voice calls from outside.
I let out a breath of relief at the familiar voice. With shaking hands, I unlock the door. Creed tries to protest, but I shove him out of the way and come face to face with a blast from the past. Liam's kind blue eyes meet mine as he removes his cowboy hat, resting a hand against his chest. His gaze sweeps over my disheveled appearance. I must look terrible—bruised and still in yesterday's clothes. Liam was always a kind alpha, though I didn't know him personally. He was friends with Shade, my foster brother, growing up.
"Oh, Kay," he murmurs, and my heart sinks. I grit my teeth to stop myself from crying
"Hi Liam," I murmur.
His eyes bounce between me, Candi, and Creed. "We are looking for Vaughn Calhan," Liam says.
"He's not here," Creed snaps, his eyes narrowing on Liam's partner, but she's looking at me.
"You must be Kaylani Fairchild, I'm Shari Ledger," the female officer says. I take in Liam's companion—a tall, willowy woman, with a hard expression that tells me she has little sympathy for me. "Sheriff Bradshaw and I would like to ask you a few questions about the incident that occurred at the Sterling Estate."
I nod, pushing the door open wider to let them both enter. The woman's pine scent is harsh, burning my nose and immediately making me uncomfortable. She's an alpha, and I'm not used to being around female alphas.
Closing the door behind them, I run a shaky hand through my hair. Creed steps up beside me, his carmel scent settling my nerves. His palm finds the small of my back as we follow Candi deeper into the club and I’m beyond grateful for the comfort he brings.
"Please, have a seat," Candi says, gesturing toward a booth by the window.
Liam's expression softens as he takes in my state, his eyes filled with concern.
"Kay. What happened? Were attacked? Was it Mr. Calhan?" Liam's gentle voice pulls me back to the present, but Shari's steely gaze remains fixed on me. It sends an eerie sensation settling over my skin. The Sterlings have the authorities in their back pocket; Adam runs his own task force and has friends in high places.
Is she one of them?
I swallow hard, my mind racing. "No, it wasn't Vaughn," I say, my voice trembling.
"Just so you know, you are being recorded Ms. Fairchild," Shari says with a smirk.
"It was Adam Sterling. He attacked me at his home." I say, lifting my chin.
Shari's eyes narrow, a flicker of skepticism crossing her features. "And why were you at the Sterling Estate, Ms. Fairchild?" she asks, her tone sharp.
"I was trying to find evidence," I reply, my voice gaining strength. "Evidence of what the Sterlings are doing to the omegas."
Shari's lips press into a thin line. "So, you decided to break into their estate?"
"I didn't break in," I say defensively. "I was invited by Adam. But when I refused to... to submit to him, he attacked me."
Candi leans forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "Kay's telling the truth. Adam's a monster. We've all seen what he's capable of."
Creed nods in agreement, his jaw set with determination. "Vaughn was protecting Kay. Adam provoked the fight."
Shari growls in frustration. "Accusing Sterling City's golden boy might cause you more problems. So you need to start telling the truth." She tilts her head and studies me. "Don't you think?"
The threat in her tone is all too clear. I swallow thickly, feeling trapped under her scrutiny.
"Ledger," Liam snaps in warning, but all Shari does is cut him a hard look.
The weight of the situation presses down on me, but I know I can't back down now. I need to seek justice for what happened to me. For what they did to Bex, and what they’re currently doing to all of those omegas.. Plus, Hux is still in custody for killing an alpha.
Liam's expression softens with sympathy. "Tell us everything, Kay. We're here to help."
"Yes, just tell us what actually happened, and we'll take it from there." Shari's gaze remains unwavering, and I hate her just a little bit more.
Weren't women supposed to fight for each other?
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Adam Sterling. He... he forced himself on me."
Liam's brow furrows in concern, but Shari's expression hardens further.
"Weren't you dating him, Ms. Fairchild?" Shari's tone is sharp, her eyes narrowing. "What happened? Did y'all fuck and then he broke up with you? And now you want revenge? Is that it?"
I bristle at her accusation, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. Liam shoots her a disapproving glance, but she seems unmoved, her gaze fixed on me with suspicion.
"No," I say firmly, my voice steadier now. "He forced his bite on me months ago, and I broke up with him—"
"So then why were you at the estate last weekend?" she interrupts. "Why wait until now to make a statement?"
I blow out a breath, my eyes narrowing. Liam steps forward, turning to face his partner. "Seriously, Ledger? You're going to victim shame her?"
Ledger... As in Dane Ledger. The alpha Hux killed. Shari is related to him. Fuck, this was a mistake. Shari really is in Adam's back pocket, and there's no way he won’t be hearing about me talking to the authorities about him.
My mind spirals. Anger, white and hot, courses through me. I hold my ground, glaring at Shari with defiance. "I don't owe you any explanations. Adam attacked me, and that's all you need to know."
Shari's expression remains cold, her eyes sharp and calculating. "You're accusing a prominent member of Sterling City. Do you have any evidence to support your claims?"
I shake my head, frustration mounting. "No, but I know what happened. And I won't let you intimidate me into silence."
Liam steps in, his tone firm. "That's enough, Shari. We're here to gather information, not pass judgment. Plus, look at the bruises." Liam gestures to my face.
Shari barks out a laugh, but I don't see how she could find this amusing. "Those could have been from Owen Huxley." She faces me again. "You did scent match the alpha who owns The Omega Den, did you not? Did he rough you up, Ms. Fairchild?"
She grins, and my heart drops. Adam's voice echoes in my head. "Is that how you like it, little lamb? Rough you up then get you off?"
The room spins as a wave of nausea washes over me, the walls closing in with each accusatory word from Shari. My heartbeat quickens, hammering against my ribcage as if it seeks escape from the suffocating tension in the air. Every nerve feels raw, exposed to the sharp edges of Shari's hostility.
Creed's voice cuts through the haze, grounding me. "Kay, breathe. You don't have to answer that."
Shari scoffs. "We can't believe a word she says anyway. She's just a stray. An omega slut that probably asked for it."
Candi jumps up, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you! Kay's been through enough without your bullshit accusations! Get the fuck out of my club!"
Creed steps forward, his face a mask of controlled anger. "You're way out of line, Detective Ledger. This is a serious matter, and you're not helping. Don't for one second think that I don't know why you hate us so much.'' He steps forward, towering over her. "Dane got what was coming to him."
Shari's eyes narrow, her alpha instincts flaring as she stands her ground. "You think you can intimidate me, Sterling? Your family may have power, but that doesn't make you invincible, not any longer. You were excommunicated, were you not?"
A triumphant grin morphs her face into something truly heinous.
Creed's jaw tightens, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and frustration. "Excommunicated or not, justice will prevail. And your vendetta against us won't change that."
Shari's grin widens, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "We'll see about that, Sterling. The law is on my side, and I'll make sure justice is served."
With a final glare, Creed turns away, his posture tense with restraint. I can feel the tension crackling in the air between them, like a storm brewing on the horizon.
Liam steps between them, his voice calm but firm. "That's enough, both of you. We're here to gather information, not start a fight."
I close my eyes, trying to block out Shari's accusing stare.
"I don't want to talk about this anymore," I murmur, my voice wavering. Creed's reassuring hand on my shoulder provides some comfort.
"You don't have to. We'll handle this. Just take deep breaths. You're safe tiny," Creed says softly.
Shari leans forward, her tone condescending, "We're just trying to get to the truth here, Ms. Fairchild."
If I wasn't so out of it, I'd tell her to kick rocks, but it’s taking all I have to maintain my steady breathing.
Liam shoots her a stern look. "Shari, back off. This isn't helping."
Shari ignores him, her eyes locked on me. "Ms. Fairchild, you need to understand the seriousness of the accusations you're making. There could be some dire consequences for falsifying something like this."
I feel a surge of anger and fear. "I know what happened, and I'm not making this up!" My voice cracks with emotion, chest tightening with anxiety.
Liam intervenes again, his voice calm but firm. His cinnamon scent washes over me. "Kay, you don't have to prove anything right now. We came here for Mr. Calhan, and it’s obvious he isn't here."
Shari's gaze remains fixed on me, her expression unreadable. "We'll be keeping an eye on you, Ms. Fairchild. If you're telling the truth, then justice will prevail. But if you're lying, like I think you are..." She lets the threat hang in the air, a silent warning that sends a chill down my spine.
I clench my fists, feeling a surge of defiance rising within me. "I'm not afraid of you," I say, my voice stronger now, fueled by anger and frustration. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure Adam Sterling pays for what he did to me, and to all the other omegas he's hurt."
Shari's lips twist into a smirk, but Liam steps forward, his presence calming. "Let's go, Shari," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We have other leads to follow up on."
Reluctantly, Shari nods, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer, before she turns and follows Liam out of the club.
I let out a shaky breath, the tension draining from my body as they leave. Creed moves to stand beside me, his hand finding mine and squeezing it reassuringly.
"You did good, Kay," he says, his voice soft and filled with pride. "We'll get through this together."
I manage a weak smile, grateful for his support. Despite the fear and uncertainty swirling inside me, I know, that with Creed by my side, I can face whatever challenges lie ahead. Together, we'll fight for justice, and for a better future for all omegas.