Page 85 of Irresistible Temptation
There must have been a recording when she picked up the phone, delivering the news that she was getting a call from a jail.
“I’m okay,” I said. “I’ll explain everything later.”
“Jules. I’m so scared.”
“It’s okay, Gabs. Really. I just need you to come down to the police station on Thirty-Second. Can you do that?” I spoke calmly, even though I was anything but calm.
“Yes, yes. Okay,” she said. I could hear her throwing things around in the background, like she was gathering her purse and keys.
I knew Chester said we would figure this out, but I didn’t know if he was here. I didn’t know if he was dealing with the mess at the office. Everyone saw me being arrested and walked through the building by the police. There was probably a media frenzy, not to mention the board hassling for answers. I shut my eyes tight. This was such a mess.
“I’ll see you soon,” I told Gabriella before hanging up the phone with a dull click.
“I’m done,” I said quietly.
The officer pushed off the wall he was leaning against and guided me down another hallway. The air was cool and the lights fluorescently too bright. I wanted to be anywhere but there. We continued down the hallway until we came to a cellblock. I was being put behind bars. I swallowed hard. This just became even more real.
The officer took a ring of keys from his belt and turned it in the large metal lock, before sliding the barred door open. He held out his hand, gesturing me to enter the gray, concrete cell. I wanted to run, but I stepped inside just before the door clangedshut behind me, making me jump. The officer walked away, his footsteps drifting down the hallway, leaving me alone. I shivered and ran my hands up my arms as I turned a slow circle in the small cell. There was a small metal bench and that was it.
I slumped onto it and leaned my back against the gray concrete wall, the paint chipping to reveal even more gray underneath. I picked at it mindlessly, as I looked across the way at another cell to find Mia sitting across from me on her own cold, metal bench. She didn’t say a word. Didn’t even look at me. Her eye was turning a purplish red and her black hair was tousled and out of place.
As horrifying as it was to be in this jail cell right now, I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction for what landed me here. I had never once resorted to violence in my life and I only knew how to throw a punch because my father insisted I take karate classes at the age of ten. I had never tried out any of the moves my sensei had taught me until now. It only took eighteen years for it to be of any use.
Mia deserved what she got. When I found out she had been the one behind the photo and the menacing threat, and that she had been doing the same thing to Chester, I was seeing red. She had not only been terrorizing me since I had arrived at Brandfield Enterprises, but she had tried to mess with the man I cared about.
And I did still care about him.
Despite everything, I couldn’t ignore the way my heart swelled seeing him this morning.
You didn’t mess with people I cared about. Mia learned that the hard way by being knocked out cold. I had been surprised at my own force. Ihadgiven her a warning.
Eventually, I heard footsteps down the hall and my heart picked up its pace, hoping that Gabriella had posted bail. I would work to pay her back as soon as I could.
I saw Mia stand up and rush toward the door, wrapping her fingers around the bar and trying to get a look at who was coming. An officer came into view and turned his back toward her, removing the keys from his belt and unlocking my cell door.
“Juliet Martin. Your bail has been paid.”
“What the fuck?” spat Mia.
“You’re free to go,” the officer said, ignoring Mia, who had clearly thought she was being the one released.
I thanked the officer and smiled smugly at Mia as I stepped out of the jail cell. As I followed behind the officer, I held up my hand in a vulgar gesture before leaving her behind.
After gathering my items from the back office, I was led to the front lobby where I looked for Gabriella, but only saw Chester rushing toward me, his face etched with worry.
“It’s…you,” I said, almost as a question.
“Of course, it’s me,” he said, pulling me into a hug. I was reluctant at first, but gave in to his embrace, melting into him. Desperate to feel safe, and knowing I would with him. He was warm and I breathed in the familiar smell of sandalwood as I buried my head into his chest.
“I was so scared,” he whispered, his mouth pressed against my hair as he held me tighter.
“Youwere?” I asked, pulling back slightly and raising a brow.
He chuckled softly and placed his hands on either side of my head, looking me over like I was something broken.
“What are youdoinghere?” I asked.
“Getting you out of here,” he said as if it were a stupid question.
