Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
I’m so embarrassed. Not about the fact I’m currently sitting in a police interview room. They can only keep me here for so long. Although I’ve never actually been arrested before… but I’m pretty sure they have to let me go eventually.
I’m ashamed because he knows. Ares saw me at one of my lowest points.
I was ready to end it, and if it weren’t for his voice breaking through the fog, I might have.
Is he going to tell someone? I can’t imagine what it would do to my parents if they knew where my mind went sometimes.
I don’t want to hurt them. They don’t deserve it.
I don’t understand why I get these thoughts. Why I can’t just be normal. I need to break free of this thing with Ares. I can’t let him get closer. I almost hurt him tonight. I didn’t even stop to think that he was with me and I was going to hit that tree. I wanted to drive into that tree.
A shaky breath leaves me. I want to get better. I just don’t know how. I don’t think I can. I’ve had these thoughts for far too long, and they’re only getting worse. I’m not good for anyone, especially not Ares.
I make a mental resolution to push him away. I’m going to tell Uncle Marcel to ask Ares to leave me alone. I need to, for his sake.
The door opens, but I don’t bother looking up.
I’ve had a couple of police officers come in and ask me questions.
I told them it was me, that I acted alone, and Ares had no idea I was going to enter a race until it was too late.
I told them he had nothing to do with any of it and was only there because I was supposed to be driving him home.
They can charge me. I don’t care. It’s a minor crime.
I’m sure I’ll get fined, maybe lose my licence.
But I can’t just sit around and let Ares get in trouble for something he didn’t do.
I haven’t even asked them to call my parents or my uncle.
Which is why, when Uncle Xavier appears in front of me, I’m surprised to see him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“The better question is why the hell you didn’t call me, Zara? And why I have to find out from fucking Ares De Bellis that you were here?” Uncle Xavier looks pissed off.
“Sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Bother me? Zara McKinley, you’re sitting in a police station after being arrested for street racing and you didn’t want to bother me?” He gives me that disappointed look that only a parent or older family member can master.
“I assumed they would have to let me go eventually,” I tell him.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Zara, you realise they can keep you here for forty-eight hours,” Uncle Xavier says.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat.
“Get up. I’m taking you home.” He walks towards the door. I’ve never seen my uncle so disappointed in me.
I deserve it, though. I fucked up.
“She’s a minor. You should have contacted her parents, and you failed. Whatever she said is inadmissible. Don’t think I’ll be letting this matter drop,” Uncle Xavier tells the police officer, and then he places his hand on my lower back and guides me outside.
“What about Ares? They let him go, right?” I glance back towards the door. I don’t want to see him, but he’s only in there because of me.
“I’m calling his father to come get him,” Uncle Xavier says. “Get in.”
“Can you take me to Kyla’s?”
“Why?”
“Please?” I don’t want to go home. I can’t face my parents yet.
“You know they’re going to find out. I have to tell your mother. Before I do that, I want you to tell me what actually happened and why you were in a parked car with Ares De Bellis?”
“It wasn’t his fault,” I say.
“Sure it wasn’t. What happened, Zara?”
“I went to the race with my friend Constance and Ares tried to tell me to go home. Actually, he tried to order me to go home. I got mad and decided I was going to race his friend. And then Ares got into the car with me. We were stopped after the race, which I won by the way.”
“Do you have any idea how dangerous street racing can be? What could have happened to you?”
“I know…”
“I don’t think you do. You can’t go around being so reckless, Zara. Think of others. What would your parents do if something happened to you?” Uncle Xavier says.
“I’m only the spare. I’m sure the family would survive,” I mumble.
“Is that what you think? You’re some kind of spare kid? When has anyone ever given you that idea?” Uncle Xavier stops at a red light and looks at me.
“No, it was a joke.” I stare out the window so he can’t see my lie.
Knowing my parents love me doesn’t mean they need me.
They have Kyla and they have each other.
Sure, they’d be hurt if I were to die, but they would survive.
And honestly, they’d probably be better off after a short grieving period.
They wouldn’t have the burden that I’m becoming.
“Oh, they left dad’s car on the street. Did you get the keys from them? ”
“Got them. I’ll get it home,” Uncle Xavier says.
When he stops at my sister’s house, I pause. “Thank you.”
“I will always come and bail you out, Zara. All you have to do is tell them to call your lawyer and they legally have to call me,” he says.
I climb out of the car and wait for him to drive off before I walk inside. There are guards around but they don’t pay me any attention. My parents bought my sister this house. And her husband being, well, a Valentino means he comes with armed guards.
I sneak down to the basement. I don’t want to see anyone. I can hide here for a while until my dad eventually figures out where I am.
Shit, Constance… I left her.
Digging my phone out of my bag, I find a heap of missed messages from her.
Constance:
Where are you?
Constance:
Just let me know you guys are okay?
Constance:
Spencer just said you got arrested. Call me when you can. I’m sorry.
Why is she sorry? She didn’t make me do something stupid. That choice was all on me.
Sitting down on the ground of my sister’s wine cellar, I send Constance a text back.
Me:
Sorry. I’m fine. I’m at my sister’s now. I’ll call you tomorrow. Sorry our sleepover got ruined. Are you okay?
I then flick through the rest of my messages, opening the one from Ares.
Ares:
You okay?
I send him a thumbs-up emoji. Because I don’t know what else to tell him. I’m never okay. I just pretend to be.
I’m on the floor when I hear footsteps. Shuffling backwards while trying to not be seen, I jerk away when a bottle raises in the air, aimed directly at my head. “Wait! Don’t hit me!” I call out.
“Zara McKinley, are you trying to get yourself killed?” Aurora Valentino huffs. She’s Lorenzo’s sister. My sister’s sister-in-law.
“Not exactly,” I tell her. I mean, I’m not opposed to the idea but death by wine bottle is not exactly how I’d choose to go out.
“Why are you snooping around here?” Aurora asks.
“I’m not snooping. I’m hiding.”
“Obviously. From who?”
“My dad. He’s lost his damn mind.” Well, he will when he finds out what I’ve done anyway.
“What’d you do?” Aurora asks.
“I got caught street racing last night. Cops locked me up, so I had to call my Uncle Xavier to come and get me.” It’s partly true.
“You got arrested? Holy shit, no wonder Dom is pissed.” Aurora laughs. “Street racing? Really? Why?”
“Some asshole said I couldn’t beat him. I did. So worth it.” I shrug. Technically, Spencer didn’t say I couldn’t beat him, just that he didn’t think I could race.
“Worth your father’s wrath?” Aurora gives me a doubtful look.
“I also had to endure one of my Uncle Xavier’s lectures. You know, considering the type of criminals he defends, I didn’t think he’d get so pissy about a little street racing charge.” I sigh.
“Those other criminals aren’t his nieces,” she reminds me. “How long until you think your dad will find you?”
“I give it another two hours, tops.” My dad has always been good at finding us whenever we’ve wanted to hide. It wasn’t that long ago that he came all the way to Sydney to drag me home from my grandmother’s beach house.
“Good. I need a drinking partner, and you’re already dead, so what’s one more charge against you?” Aurora holds up a bottle of wine. “But, if your dad asks, you supplied yourself. I did not give a minor alcohol.”
“Deal.” I smile. This is a good idea. “So, why are we drinking. Wait. What are you doing here?” I ask, just now realizing she’s in Australia when she lives in New York.
“Long story,” Aurora groans.
“I’ve got about an hour and fifty-eight minutes until I’m pig food.” I raise a brow. I really do want to know why she’s here.
“Were you the only one arrested?” Aurora turns the discussion back to me.
“Yeah. I made sure I got caught so he didn’t.”
“He who? Who is he?”
I smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Right. Let’s find somewhere comfy to sit.”
“I know a spot.” I take Aurora into the library. No one really comes in here other than my sister.
I’m really buzzed by the time the door slams open.
“One hour, fifty minutes.” I laugh. My dad was faster than I thought.
“Zara McKinley, you have three seconds to get your ass outside and in my car!” My dad’s voice echoes off the walls.