15. June
Chapter 15
June
“ A re you still not talking to me?”
I crossed my arms and looked out the window, the city of St. Louis flooding my field of vision with the towering arch.
What’s inside of that thing?
“Look, it was dumb and childish. I shouldn’t have done it.”
I turned and glared. “It seems you’re having to apologize a lot lately. Maybe you should just stay on your side of the car, and I’ll stay here.”
“And when we get to the next hotel?”
“We’ll be in separate rooms.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
I snorted. “As if you have a choice. I’ll make a scene, and you’ll be arrested for kidnapping, and then I go on my merry way.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing here?” He frowned. “You’re free to go at any time.” His palm shot out in front of him. “I’ll pull off at the next gas station and let you walk back from here.”
“Charming, Carter.”
He shrugged. “Want money to get back? I’ll buy you a bus ticket.” He checked his blind spot and moved over one lane closer to the exit.
My heart hitched in my chest, and a disturbing sickness sank in my belly.
“Not sure what you’ll find when you get back there, though.”
My brows pulled together, sending him a menacing glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, your house is a crime scene. We’ll see if they let you go in or if they send the cleaning crews.”
“Yeah. Thanks to you.”
“I mean, we’ve been over this, but if you want to hash it out again...” he wrapped his fist around the steering wheel, “I’m sorry.” He checked his blind spot and took another lane. “So what’ll it be?”
My heart ramped up, and my stomach twisted.
I wanted to go home.
But I want him .
Despite what he’s done?
Dammit.
“Well?”
I sighed and looked out the window. “I’ll stay.”
Carter growled, a deep, primal embodiment of power. “I hoped you’d say that.”
“But if you cum in my bed or take liberties with me again, that’s it.”
“Not promising that.”
“Then pull over.” I cast him a glare, and he returned with a brightness in his eyes I hadn’t seen since he appeared in my room.
“Too late, you already gave me your answer.”
“Carter. I’m not playing around.”
His features darkened and filled with lust. “Neither am I.”
“ Argh . You’re incorrigible.“ I tossed my hair over my shoulder and looked out the window—the shining steel arch behind us.
Great.
“Why don’t you take a nap? It’ll make the trip go quicker.”
“For you or me?”
“Stop being so difficult.” His hand touched my thigh. “I always appreciate your company.”
I winced. Guilt flying through my chest like buzzards to roadkill.
Why did he have to say things like that?
Can’t he make it easier for me to hate him?
“Can I borrow your phone?”
“Why?”
I raised a brow and cocked my head to the side. “Am I your captive?”
“You know you’re not.”
“Then can I have your phone? I want to make a phone call.”
He sighed, pointed his gaze to the road as he dug into his pocket, and handed me the small rectangle. “You need my thumbprint.”
I swiped over, and the screen lit up. Pointing the phone toward him, I grabbed his hand and used his thumb like in spy movies, only this appendage was still attached, and the owner was still alive. The lock slid upward, leaving his screen visible with everything he had on the main screen.
Calendar.
Google Maps.
Text messages.
Green phone...
I pressed the phone button and punched in my mother’s number while Carter eyed me from his periphery.
“Hello?” My mother’s cheery voice sent a wave of emotions attacking my nervous system, my eyes burning on cue.
“Mom? It’s me.”
“Junie. Where have you been? I’ve been calling your phone. Whose number is this?”
I blinked back the tears and sucked in a breath, crossing my arm over my chest and tightening.
“Is that June? Did she say what happened?” Dad’s voice set me back in my seat. “Here, let me talk to her.”
“One second, your father wants to speak with you.”
I gritted my teeth, my molars compressed, my jaw tight. “Hi, Dad.”
“You better explain yourself.”
“Explain what?”
“The cops were all over your home,” my mother said from the background.
“Am I on speaker?”
“Yes. She wants to hear what you have to say for yourself. Honestly, June. I expected better from you.”
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“The police. Ethan. How could you not say anything?”
My cheeks heated, my breath stuck. “What did the police say?”
Carter glanced at me, worry fixed on his face.
“They said there was an altercation? That you killed him.”
A two-ton boulder hit my gut, knocking the wind from my lungs. “They...” I puffed out a breath from pursed lips. “They found him?”
“Of course they found him, Junie. Were you thinking they wouldn’t?”
“I just...” Carter’s hand grabbed mine, and he squeezed it with a reassuring smile. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
I pulled my hand from his.
This is your fault.
I’m going to prison .
The phone jerked out of my hand.
“Mr. and Mrs. Collins. She’s going to have to call you back.”
“Who’s thi—“
He tossed his phone onto the center console. “Are you alright?”
I sucked in a breath as though I’d sat underwater thirty seconds too long. “This is your fault.”
“They’ll take care of it. I promise.”
“You promise?” I lashed out, my fist hitting him square in his muscled shoulder. “My parents think I’m a murderer.”
The car swerved to the left.
Beeeeeep.
Beep, beep.
“Jesus, June. You’re gonna get us killed. Relax.”
“Relax?” A fiery fever slapped my face, and I hit him again, my wrist buckling, causing a biting pain to zip up to my elbow. “Never tell a woman to relax. Especially me.” I gripped my wrist, my head falling between my legs. “ Ow. I can’t believe this. I’m so screwed.”
“You’re not. I won’t allow you to go to prison. I’ll confess before that happens.”
I shot up. “Oh, perfect. My new boyfriend slits my ex’s throat. We run off together, but I’m totally not complicit. Yeah, they’ll absolutely believe that.”
“Boyfriend, huh?” He gave me a lopsided grin
“Honestly, Carter, it’s hard to believe you’re seven years older than me.”
His hand tucked under my chin and held my gaze to his, the playfulness vanishing. “I won’t let anything happen to you, dollface. Trust me.”
I jerked away, but his fingers held me tight. “I can’t trust you.”
“You can. Last night was a mistake, but what this is right now, between you and me...” he ran a finger with his other hand between us, his knee steering the car, “That’s real. I’ll go to the grave for you.”
“Stop it.” I swiped his hand off my chin. “Don’t talk like that.”
“Why? It’s the truth.”
“Because you barely know me, Carter.”
Not like I know you.
“I know your favorite food is a panini from the little bistro across from the school. I know you love kids and want to have three—two girls and a boy.”
My heart swelled, and the hot burn inside my chest abated.
“I know Ethan wouldn’t commit, which meant you wouldn’t have kids.” He paused, shaking his head as he stared at the road. “I know I can give you those things. That I want to give you those things.”
“Carter, don’t.” I shook my head.
“Don’t what? Admit how much I’ve thought about you all these years? How I regret honoring my sister’s last wishes? How if I would’ve ignored her, you would have been with me all these years instead of that punk-ass loser?”
I grimaced.
“No, I don’t think I will stop. You deserve to hear how much you’re loved, cherished, and wanted.”
“You were going to kill me, Carter. Don’t forget that. All those feelings you had about me went out the window.” I leaned against the door, putting as much space between us as I could.
“But I didn’t want to believe it. The evidence was so stron—“
“It was circumstantial at best.”
“There’s a video of you with blood all over you, June. That’s evidence and strong enough to convict.”
“You should have come to me.”
He shook his head. “If I were in my right mind, I would have. I was grieving.” His hand slammed against the steering wheel, and I jumped. “ Shit . I’m not making this any better.“ He grumbled under his breath. “I just want you to know and understand this isn’t an excuse. I screwed up. That’s as obvious as the sky is blue. But I can’t go back. I can only move forward, and spend every waking moment making it up to you.” He reached over and gripped my hand, his lips pressing against my knuckles, causing my heart to stir. “I want to give you the world, June.”
My eyes burned, his lips grazing against my knuckles as he stared back at me.
What do I say to that?
My chin quivered, and tears puddled in my eyes, causing my vision to blur.
“Don’t cry. Please.” He swiped at my cheek with his thumb. “ Ah, shit. ”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s not you.”
Whoop.
Whoop.
My breath froze in my chest as I glanced at the side mirror. Red and blue lights spun in a circle on the top of the cop car cruising behind us.
This is it.
“What do we do?”
“Stay calm. We’ll be just fine. I’m sure it’s just a ticket.”
I twisted my head toward him, my hair falling in my face. “But what if it’s not?”
He dropped my hand, and I swiped at the tears on my face, sniffling.
Carter pulled over to the side of the road as I righted myself in the visor mirror.
“Remember, deep breaths.” He rolled down the window as the officer approached. “Hello, Officer.”
“Afternoon. License and registration, please.”
My heart slammed into my breastbone, the blood shooting into my brain, causing a thumping in my temples.
Carter dug out his license and rental agreement and then handed it to the officer. “Will this do?”
“You’re renting this?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And where are you headed?”
“Home. ”
I wiped my eyes as he flipped the license over in his hand. “And that is... Philadelphia?”
“Yes, sir.”
My breaths quickened, my chest burning as if the very car we sat in had run me over.
“Do you know why I’ve pulled you over today?”
“Sorry, I’m not sure.”
“You were speeding. It’s only sixty on this part of the freeway, and you were doing seventy-five. Well over the limit.”
My cheeks seared.
That’s my fault.
I distracted him.
“Sorry about that. I must not have been paying attention to the sign change.”
“Ma’am, do you have your ID on you?”
I jerked as though his words slapped me across the face. “No. Sorry.”
“So you’re on a cross-country trip and don’t have an ID?”
I shrugged. “It was a last-minute thing.”
Cars drove by, their wake causing our vehicle to wobble.
“And what’s your name? First and last.”
I chewed on my bottom lip and flashed Carter a look.
”I um ...”
“Sorry, Officer. She’s been through a hard few days. It’s why I flew in to pick her up.”
He gave a brief nod. “First and last name. ”
“Ju...” I gulped, “June Collins.”
Murder suspect.
Probably wanted.
“Any weapons in the vehicle I should know about?”
Carter shook his head. “No, sir.”
“Hang tight. I’ll be right back.”
The officer tapped the top of the vehicle as he moved back to his car.
“He’s going to find out.” My lungs seized.
“Just take some deep breaths. You’re doing great, but if you freak out, he’s going to suspect something.”
“More than he already does?” I flipped my hand into the air and scoffed, my eyes fixated on the side mirror, giving me a direct line of sight to his car.
“Right now, he’s focusing on running our names. He doesn’t have a reason to suspect anything nefarious.” He ran his hand through his hair in my periphery. “So just relax. We’ll be on our way soon.”
“I’m not going to prison.” I fiddled with my lip. “Especially for something I didn’t do.”
“June,” Carter growled. “I will not let that happen.”
A car door slammed, and I jerked. “Is he coming back?”
“Yes. Relax...” Carter glanced in the rearview mirror. “Wait, what is he doing?”
“Huh?” I turned in my seat, facing the cop car. “Where is he? ”
Knock.
Knock.
Spinning toward my window, I gulped. The officer’s large cap stuck on his head as he bent over, his dirty dishwater brown eyebrows curving around the top of his vibrant blue eyes. He motioned for me to roll down the window, and it obeyed.
Carter, you betrayer.
“Ma’am, I’m going to have you step out of the car.”
My chin quivered as I stared back at Carter, his eyes wide, his head giving me a reassuring nod with pinched brows.
How can he look so conflicted yet assure me everything will be fine?
Because he’s not the one being held responsible.
Immunity didn’t apply to me.
Was this how the cops explained away the societies misdeeds?
I pressed the button, and my seatbelt released its hold. “Have I done something wrong?”
“Please step out of the vehicle.” He pulled on the door handle and opened it wide, allowing me to pass through. “To the back of the car, please. Do you have any weapons I need to be aware of?”
My stomach plummeted, and bile burned the back of my throat—my lunch about to hit the ground with the rest of the debris scattered along the freeway. “No. Have I done something wrong?”
“Put your hands on the trunk of the car.”
The muscles in my thighs quivered, causing my knees to wobble. My palms settled on the trunk, my gaze clashing with Carter’s in the rearview mirror .
He searched my waist and ankles, doing the quickest pat down in history. “Turn around and put your butt on the bumper.”
I spun, following his command, and crossed my arms over my braless breasts.
“Miss Collins, are you in danger?”
“In...in danger ?“ My throat closed, the saliva in my mouth evaporating.
He rested his arm on the butt of his gun attached to his utility belt as he scribbled on a small notepad with a black pen. “Are you being held against your will?”
“My will?” I licked my dehydrated lips and wiped at my irritated eyes. “ Umm... “ I glanced back at Carter, his body out of view.
“Yes, Miss Collins. You seem visibly upset, and he spoke for you on most matters. I’d like to understand what’s going on here. Do you need help?”
I could tell him Carter killed the man in my bed.
That’s who they are looking for.
But... why isn’t he arresting me?
My parents said...
Were they wrong?
They are wrong...
I’m innocent.
“I’m...” The words stuck in my mouth like gum to a shoe on a hot day.
“You’re safe here, Miss Collins. Would you like me to call a female officer? Would you feel more comfortable?”
I shook my head. “Sorry. I’m just nervous. I’ve never dealt with the police before.”
“No need to be nervous. I’m here to help.” He jotted something down and glanced back up at me. “So are you saying you’re with Mr. Morgan of your own free will, and he hasn’t coerced you in any way?”
My head bobbed as I swallowed. “That’s correct.”
“You’re sure?” He raised a brow, a frown marking his lips.
His badge and nameplate glinted in the sun, the cars flying by without a care in the world. “Yes. It’s been a long few days, and I’m fighting with my parents. Carter is helping me get away for a while.”
“And where are you going? Where is home?”
I licked my lips, my foot crossing my ankle. “ Um... his house in Philly.”
He scribbled again. “And what are you planning on doing there?”
I shrugged. “Recoup, I suppose. Rethink my life’s choices.” The sun flared across my scalp despite the cool temps. “I’ve known him my whole life. His sister was my...” Am I giving too much information?
He glanced up at me.
“She was my best friend.”
“Was?”
I nodded. “She died when she was seventeen.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. ”
“It was a long time ago.” I pressed my lips together into a forced smile.
Not that it didn’t still hurt.
Officer Bucci gave a curt nod. “Alright. You may sit back in the car.”
“Thank you.” I rubbed my hands together and spun toward the front of the car as he pressed the button on the radio pinned to his shoulder.
“10-22 backup, possible 10-16 resolved. Female is code 4.”
Shutting the door, Carter shot me a look. “What was that about?”
“He thought...” my eyes narrowed on the officer walking around Carter’s side of the car.
“Mr. Morgan. I’ve issued you a citation for speeding and knocked it down to ten over.” He handed Carter his documents. Officer Bucci gave his speech on the court appearance, forced him to sign the document, vowing to appear, and flipped the metal writing pad closed. “Make sure you pay attention to the change in speeds throughout your trip.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that.”
Officer Bucci’s eyes connected with mine. “Be careful... merging with traffic.”
I returned a stiff smile, my hands pinned between my thighs, hiding the tremble in my fingers. My stomach swirled as though I’d dropped out of a rocket shooting into the sky.
Carter nodded. “Will do.”
Officer Bucci stood upright and made his way back to his cruiser.
“What happened, June?”
My brows raised high on my forehead, my head shaking. “I... I don’t know.” Grabbing my water in the center console, I took three swallows, then screwed on the cap. “I thought I was going to jail. He searched me for weapons and then asked if I was okay. He wanted to know if you had kidnapped me.”
Carter merged in with traffic, setting his cruise at sixty-one. “And what did you tell him?”
“The truth.”
He raised a brow. “Which is?”
“I was fine. I didn’t need his help.” My beating heart abused my ribcage, causing dizziness to settle in my vision as the adrenaline waned.
“You did good, dollface.” He grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles, sending warmth throughout my body. “You did good.”