Page 201 of Chasing Hope

Officer Lilith speaks behind me. “We’ll be in touch very soon, Evie. Thank you for sharing your story.”

“What happens from here?” Matteo asks. I don’t have the energy to engage in the conversation; I just want to stay nestled in the safety of his arms.

“There’s a twenty-four-hour screening process. I and one of my fellow detectives will review the report and begin our investigation. From there, it depends on multiple factors that can’t be predicted.”

“I hope it ends with him in a cell,” he says, and despite the situation, I can’t help but snort.

Officer Lilith doesn’t find the comment humorous. “Like I said, it depends on several factors.”

“When is Caleb being released?”

At the mention of my brother, I turn, but I cling to Matteo’s arms, keeping them wrapped around my body.

The officer looks between us. “He should be out any moment. I believe he’s collecting his belongings.”

Matteo lets go of me only for a moment to shake her hand. “Thank you for your help, Officer.”

She dips her head, keeping the handshake brief. “Just doing my job.” With that she leaves and goes back through the door we just walked through.

Matteo rests his chin on top of my head. “She’s…intense.”

“Very matter-of-fact.”

“Was she kind to you?”

Nodding, I kiss his forearm. “Very. She seems good at her job.”

“On a scale from one to ten, how far away have you flown, Dove?”

My heart melts into a puddle at his question.

I don’t have to say anything, don’t have to try and explain how I’m feeling.

To be loved is to be known.

And Matteo Valenti knows me like no other.

“Seven,” I whisper.

Nodding, he leans down and kisses the top of my head. “It’s okay if you need to keep flying. Just let your mind process and protect itself the way it knows best.” He drops his voice to a whisper. “I’ll help guide you back to yourself.”

My throat tightens, clogging with the words I don’t know how to say. But I’m saved from trying when a door opens behind us.

We turn in time to see Caleb walk through, appearing as disheveled as I am.

Stepping out of Matteo’s embrace, I throw myself into another comforting hug. Caleb wraps his arms around me, his body sagging with relief. It isn’t long before his shoulders start shaking and he holds me in earnest, gripping me like his life depends on it, like if we hold each other for long enough, it can fix everything.

I shouldn’t feel guilt, and yet I feel it all the same.

The weight of it is crushing my ribs despite my mind urging my heart to let the emotion go, but it can’t. It’s spinning around and around, trying to drag me down. They demand their way out, so I brokenly whisper, “I’m sorry he’s doing this.”

Caleb sniffles before pulling back, keeping his hands on my arms as he implores me with his gaze. “Don’t ever apologize for the actions of that vile monster. I never,everwant to hear you say you’re sorry for this, Evie.” His bottom lip quivers, his voice breaking. “Please don’t apologize.Notfor this.”

Before I can say anything, he lifts his eyes and looks at Matteo over my shoulder. A thousand words pass between them.

Matteo’s gruff voice sends a chill down my spine. “Let’s get her out of here.”

Caleb dips his chin, letting me go as Matteo’s warmth replaces him. Just that one act speaks volumes.