Page 199 of Chasing Hope
Kieran comes running to the door. He takes one look at Caleb being escorted into the elevator in handcuffs before he lifts his phone to his ear again and spins on his heel.
“Caleb’s been arrested,” he declares to whoever is on the other line.
The officer arches a brow at Evie. “Are you willing to give your statement down at the station that it was in defense?”
Evie stands taller, trying to pull herself together as she nods furiously. “Yes.”
The officer exchanges a look with his partner down the hall, who has one hand on Caleb’s arm and the other holding the elevator open. Turning back to Evie, he declares, “You can follow us down to the station, but Caleb will remain under arrest.”
Evie’s hand flies to her mouth, a muffled sob escaping as the officer joins his partner, stepping into the elevator.We follow them, my arms wrapped around Evie as we stop at the elevator. I look at Caleb, a million thoughts and words floating through between us before I clutch my chest. “We’ll get you out. I’ll see you soon, brother.”
Caleb dips his chin. “Take care of her.”
“Like my life depends on it,” I vow as the elevator doors close.
Chapter 57
Evie
*Do Not Disturb Activated*
With every step closer to the station, the faster my heart beats, the more sweat gathers along the nape of my neck, the sicker my stomach feels…because I know what I have to do.
Happy birthday to me…
Taking a deep breath, I stop. Matteo, not hearing my steps beside him anymore, turns and eyes me, waiting.
Always patiently waiting.
Swallowing thickly, I look to my boyfriend, who supported and respected my every wish despite wanting to go in guns blazing for me. I know it was hard for him to hold this secret close to his chest and I know that Caleb wasn’t the only one to break tonight. Matteo just has a better poker face than my brother.
Clearing the emotion in my throat, I declare, “I’m going to tell them everything.”
Matteo’s eyes widen. Basically running to get back to me, he’s breathless. “No, we can get him out. Kieran’s already called a lawyer, so there’s no need to?—”
“He’s going to spin this in the press. I heard Kieran whispering in the kitchen. It’s out already, isn’t it?”
Matteo’s silence is my answer.
“I don’t want him to spin this, Matteo, I can’t. I don’t think I’dbe able to handle it if he went to the press and said I was a liar.” My voice cracks on the last word.
She just wants attention because your life is doing so well and hers has fallen to shit.
His words—his disgusting words have been playing on repeat in my mind, mingling with the flashbacks of him forcing himself on me.
What a contradiction.
“Everything has been out of my control, how Caleb found out, him even showing up to my birthday dinner. I want to be able to share it with the officers on my terms, not his. He doesn’t get to dictate this.”
Matteo stares at me, his chest rising and falling, his face the epitome of devastation as his eyes flick back and forth between mine, searching. I’m not sure what he finds but he reaches out, hesitating, before I dip my chin.
That one little movement was all he was waiting for.
He moves for me, sliding his hands along my skin to cup my cheeks. He gently tips my head up, brushing his lips on my forehead before murmuring against my skin, “I will support any decision you make. Whether you tell them or not, I will be here for you through every moment.”
My eyes close at his words, my heart soaring at his blind support. “Thank you,” I whisper, not knowing how much I apparently needed to hear that until my shoulders slump in relief, the events of tonight weighing heavily on me.
Dropping my head to his chest, I fist his shirt, taking deep steadying breaths as he wraps his arms around me, his touch and deep oakwood scent grounding me.
