Page 109 of The Monster I Am
I feel compelled to protect people. I guess it’s not necessarily a bad trait to possess… but I’m in ateeny-tinybit of a mess now, and that’s on me.
The cops are talking about some big game coming up when the door to the station swings open. The sun is starting to set outside but I’d recognize the silhouette anywhere.
“Bex,” he says, sounding relieved as he makes a beeline toward me. “How are you holding up?”
“I’ve been better,” I joke, tugging at the handcuff. “I’m a bit tied up—so, you know, keeping busy.”
He frowns, eyes darting over to the closest cop at the desk. “Uncuff her.”
The station falls quiet as the officer stands, face hardening. “And who are you?”
“Her attorney. Take the damn cuffs off.”
Sparks of electricity crackle between them. I wait, hoping this doesn’t go south. But at least I’d have a cuff buddy.
“She hasn’t been questioned yet,” the cop replies. “Now that you’re present—”
“Actually, no. The arresting officers failed to read her the Miranda rights or allow her to contact an attorney. Therefore, she’s free to go. You want to question her? Get a warrant. Now, uncuff her.”
The room is filled with awkward silence. I’m fairly certain they weren’t expecting someone to come barging in to rescue me—probably counting on the dead and absent parent card. But he’s right. Even though I told Arch to call for help, they didn’t give me the opportunity to do it myself.
The curses are clear as he mutters to himself, trudging over with a set of keys. I jump up immediately when I’m released and I’m swiftly dragged out the door before the cop can try another tactic.
“Thanks, Lark,” I say when we’re on the footpath outside.
“Sorry, it took so long for me to get here,” he murmurs, digging into jacket pocket and pulling out a key fob. “Archie briefly filled me in.”
I nod, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Yep—it wasn’t the greatest afternoon.”
Lark nods his head to the left, gesturing for me to walk with him. “Arrested at Willowbrook is kind of iconic, though. When I heard Cedar got transferred there, I thought it was a joke. How are you coping?”
“It’s been… interesting,” I say, smirking. “You aren’t missing much.”
Lark gives me a grin, flashing his dimples as his gray eyes dance with amusement at my black and white tartan skirt. “I hated moving away from Ridgeview and Cedar Heights. Some days, I consider telling the firm to go fuck themselves and coming back. But this makes me appreciate my escape.”
“You’re welcome. But hey—comes in handy having a big hot-shot lawyer on standby.”
The sudden sound of a car door slamming closed behind us makes me twist around to investigate. I grind to a halt as I spot Hunter getting out of his car, eyes glued on me. I pivot fast on the concrete ground, closing the distance to Hunter in three strides.
“Hunter,” I mumble, throwing my arms around him.
He hugs me back, back tensing up under my hands. “You got arrested?”
I pull back, blinking as I notice his hostile stare aimed at Lark. “Yeah. Liv, as usual.”
Hunter nods sharply, gaze not faltering from my companion. “Who are you?”
The tone of his question makes me wince internally. The demand is not really a surprise but I’m too exhausted to throw another emotion into the mix.
“Lark. And who areyou?”
Neither have a great curb manner and I’m sure it’s because Hunter is suspicious of Lark, and Lark knowsexactlywho Hunter is.
Wonderful.
“Not necessary for you to know,” Hunter replies coldly before turning back to me. “Why didn’t you callus?”
Oh.That’sthe problem.
