Chapter 31 Riot
Riot
“Riot Arden? You’re free to go.”
The officer trying out for the world’s worst combover scowls at me from the other side of the bars, pressing a button that makes a loud buzzing sound ring out through the jail cell.
The iron bars click open, and I step through into another room where the surly-looking guard passes me a plastic bag full of my shit—shoes, socks, piercings, and all.
Without a word, he shows me into a small room to change, and when I’m dressed, he escorts me to the main lobby.
The first thing I notice is Enzo’s piercing ice-blue eyes, and the next is the thrumming vein at his temple, seemingly moments away from bursting.
“Hey, Enz.” I cautiously move closer to him. “Thanks for posting bail…”
“Don’t you thank me,” he growls. “I cannot fucking believe you. After all the strings I pulled, all the work that went into making sure you stay out of prison, and you fucked it.”
“It was for a good reason.”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s always for a good reason.”
“You don’t understand. It wasn’t about me this time. It’s Eloise.”
Enzo sighs, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I figured as much.” He raises his head, eyes scanning the room, taking in the dozens of ears that could be listening in on our private conversation. “Follow me outside.”
Enzo leads me out to the parking lot, making a beeline for his car. I slide into the passenger seat without question, but once the doors are closed, I can’t hold it inside.
“Did you find out anything about Eloise? Did you figure out how to help her?”
Enzo doesn’t respond for a while. “I think you need to leave this Eloise situation alone, Riot. I don’t think… I can’t find anyone who knows how to help. There’s nothing we can do.”
“What do you mean we can’t do anything? She’s literally his prisoner, Enzo! He’s been abusing her and taking advantage of her for fucking years!”
Enzo rubs his temples, his mouth turning into a grim frown.
“His lawyers are good, Riot. That, and it seems he’s been incredibly careful over the years.
There is zero evidence that Dave has been taking advantage of Eloise, and tons to indicate she’s unfit to act as an independent.
” He shakes his head. “Unless we find something concrete, our hands are tied.”
“Bullshit,” I snarl. “I’m fucking going over there and getting her away from that monster. Right now.”
Enzo’s hand clasps my shoulder, stopping me from exiting the moving vehicle. “Wait, Riot. You can’t.”
“Fucking watch me.”
“No, I mean you can’t. As soon as you set foot on the property, the police will haul you off. It’s pointless.” He shoves a folded piece of paper into my lap, and I snatch it up, my eyes tearing over the words savagely. It’s a restraining order.
“He can’t do this!” I crumple the letter in my palm, rage lighting my veins and casting my vision in a sheen of red. “He can’t!”
“I’m afraid he has.” Enzo shakes his head sadly.
“This is bullshit! How is it that she's so unfit, yet Blasko parades her around on that stage every weekend? This is so fucked!”
“I’m not going to deny that.” He rubs his jaw thoughtfully. “But it’s what the court has decided is okay.”
“Fuck that! I’m not letting her spend another moment with that piece of filth!”
“If you want to go right back to prison, be my guest.” Enzo’s mouth sets in a somber expression. “But I will tell you this… You can’t help her from a jail cell.” He rubs a hand over his face. “Does she have anyone who’s witnessed the abuse over the years? A long-lost cousin, an old friend?”
I think for a moment, remembering the conversation Eloise and I had about how isolated she is. There’s really no one. No one except me, Dave, and her guard.
Her guard…
Though he was cold and surly, he didn’t strike me as cruel.
In fact, he’s helped us along the way. He’s likely seen Dave’s mistreatment, and there’s a chance he’d be willing to attest to the abuse going on in that household.
Would that be enough, though? Will he help, or will he tell Dave and have me arrested?
I don’t know anything for certain, but it’s worth a shot. I’ll risk my career, the possibility of prison, my life—anything to save Eloise.
“I have an idea,” I say. “It might be the stupidest thing ever… but it also just might work.”