Page 52 of Hart's Redemption

I smiled at him, my teeth undoubtedly still colored red. “I speak only the truth.” The second hit sent stars exploding across my vision. Despite my best efforts, a pained moan slipped free.

“We’ll see how mouthy you are when they have to wire your mouth shut.”

“Come now, Dick. You know I can’t lie. No Detective can. But then again, you wouldn’t know what it takes tobea real Lycan Detective, would you?”

Walsh snarled, and the next hit sent me crashing to the ground.

I barely repressed a shout as my knees met unforgiving stone with a sickening crunch, yet again. One soldier still retained their hold on my arm, and the sudden change in the rest of my body’s location sent a wave of nausea rolling through me when it popped free of my shoulder socket.

I wheezed through the effort of staying quiet and fought the instinct to defend myself. Deep inside, the wolf gnashed his teeth and railed against my restraint, promising retribution in blood. I couldn’t help but smile at all the things the wolf wanted to do to Commander Walsh. I tried hard not to eat people, but I might make an exception for Commander Dick.

“What are you smirking at, you little pissant?”

Grubby hands once again found their way to my hair and forced me to look up. It was a true shame they couldn’t see the person walking up behind them.

“I’ll take it from here.” The feminine voice rang with an authority that instantly stilled the pending assault.

I straightened to the best of my ability, considering I was still kneeling on the ground, and resisted the urge to flinch at the acute pain in my shoulder. Best guess had at least one kneecap cracked and my shoulder dislocated. Advanced healing would see to most of it, but in the meantime, it smarted like a bitch.Wordlessly, I lifted my chin to meet Director Starling’s equally impassive gaze.

Walsh stepped forward, possibly to hide the prevalent damage on my face. The bruises on the rest of my body remained hidden, but he’d fucked up when he hit my face. “This fucker is a traitor and no longer under your jurisdiction. Perhaps if you managed your assets better, then they wouldn’t have to callpropersoldiers to take care of your mess.”

The slight twitch of Director Starling’s left eye was the only indication of her fury. “Commander, regardless of whether you agree, Joshua Hart is still a Lycan Detective. As such, you will release him into my sole custody as ordered, or I will see that you are court marshaled, stripped of your commendations, and given a dishonorable discharge.”

I didn’t need to see Walsh’s face to know it was a mottled red or that he was scowling hard enough to curdle milk. “You can’t protect him forever.”

Ice practically radiated off Director Starling in her crisp navy uniform and severe bun. “Protection implies that I believe Detective Hart has done nothing reprehensible. Now step aside, Commander.”

As one, the cluster of soldiers stepped back, giving the Director a wide berth, but Walsh waited until the last possible second before giving ground. I stared up into Angela Starling’s cold blue eyes. Even though I was still kneeling, she was short enough that I didn’t have to crane my head back.

“On your feet, Detective.”

With no assistance whatsoever, I did as ordered.

She glanced behind me. “Remove his restraints.”

“You can’t be serious,” Walsh argued, his face now flushing a disturbing purple.

Director Starling speared him with a withering look that had made the most violent lycanthropes cower in fear. “Did I stutter, Commander?”

Walsh gave a dismissive wave, and the pressure forcing my shoulders together disappeared. Instantly, pain blanketed the liberated appendages like thousands of nettles burrowing beneath my skin. I resisted the urge to rub my raw wrists or pop my throbbing shoulder back into place. Once her will was done, Director Starling pivoted on her heel to return in the direction from which she’d come.

“With me, Detective.”

She made it three steps before a shaky voice called out after her. “Ma’am?”

Director Starling stopped and spun back around. The anxious soldier swallowed audibly. “Yes…”

“Sergeant Nielsen, ma’am.”

“You have a question?”

He shifted his feet, no longer so certain beneath her penetrating gaze. “Are you sure you don’t want an escort? He’s considered a dangerous war criminal.”

Her gaze flitted to me briefly, then she stepped up to the overly helpful Sergeant Nielsen. He stood a little straighter, as did the other soldiers her gaze landed on, before once again returning to him. “Did Detective Hart resist arrest?”

“No, ma’am. But—”

“Was he armed when you took him into custody?”