I cock my head to the side, desperately trying to release the pressure on my forehead. I regret it right away.Through the automobile window, Darius's eyes collide with me. He is still seated in the rear seat and has his phone upon his ear. He must still be speaking with his banker because his lips are moving.Nathan is demanding to know what the fuck they think they're doing, even though Darius might not care. He must be furious that we don't get to enjoy ourselves together after all. The cop who is scrubbing me down can't be talking to him because he isn't answering back.The greasy cop cuts him off, saying, "Keep interfering, and we'll arrest you for obstruction of justice." If I don't just shoot your fucking ass, that is. Please spare me the paperwork.Shift.”His gravelly voice has just enough menace to make me believe he'll pull it off.Holding my breath, I hope the policeman will find any excuse to shoot Nathan. Although I don't think cops are the best people in the world, I mig
A scowl.She drags me down to her five-foot-five height and closes her small fingers around the front of my shirt before planting a gentle kiss on my cheek. "You're not shaving."For it is the way you welcome a son you haven't seen in a dozen years.Grinning, I lead the way into the eating area. Are we going to sit?The dining room with walnut and cherry floors is at least five times larger than it is necessary. The dining table is crowned by three elaborate, French-style burnished gold chandeliers that cast a warm, pink glow across the space. It appears warm and even cosy. However, it has never made for a cosy supper when we sit on opposite ends of a twelve-seater table.Everybody has a place.With his back to the commanding fireplace, Dad would consistently take the first chair at the head of the table. Mom has always occupied the seat across from him. Leandro would take a seat in the chair across from me after waiting to see which of the five open seats on the longest side of the t
"I don't mind sharing a woman at all." I look over my shoulder and speak in a cool, collected voice."My partner's fucking of my father bothers me because it's easier for her to earn a few small things on her own than to go to her parents and beg for them."A female gasp of amazement resounds.Leandro chuckles. "Mother, you know that Finn is correct, so there's no need to be so outraged."Slipping out nearly as stealthily as they had entered were the two expressionless servants loitering at the side of the room. The Desidario family knows better than to stay behind for their business, which is their family business.Dad looks at me stoically. "I see. "So, you want to spend your entire life in that bar of yours?" he asks, his lips curving into an unappealing curve in disgust.It would be a waste of time to respond, because whatever the issue with my wolf is, the solution is outside this building. His and mine."Finn, you might be the Alpha here. You might manage investments while resid
He pushes me up against the wall again. When my back smacks, I scream, my ribs damaged and hurting so badly. I tighten myself then, waiting for the sound of rubber snapping, but it doesn't come, so I guess the searching phase is finished.Detective Bradley gives me the command to remain and retreats a few feet.My eyes go blind from the bright light and I jerk my head away.Another command, threatening to subject me to yet another, more in-depth investigation if I don't remain motionless. Thus, I remain motionless and avoid tampering with Detective Ferdinand's subsequent photo.Detective Bradley snatches my wrist and drags me back to the metal desk, where a white sheet of paper with ten circles and a small black pad are waiting for me. Time flies by.That section seems to go by very quickly. Perhaps because I'm not the one touching the paper after pressing my finger on the black pad. There's no rushing when Detective Ferdinand, who enjoys doing everything with needless force, does tha
"So, it seems like you've made some street friends." Detective Ferdinand assumes command, sounding almost kind.I assume they aim to use this brief tape as evidence in court that they did not coerce me into making the confession they want me to make.I remain silent.It's evident. Detective Bradley scans through the file nonchalantly, resting his chin on one palm. But the green eyes he directs at me are anything but informal. "I believe a girl such as you made a lot of friends. You would frequently be discovered with them by some of my coworkers when you were supposed to be in school. Our archives span the years thirteen through seventeen, after which—well.All of a sudden, you were no longer making street pals.Though he won't say it out loud, he's thinking about calling me a prostitute. Both of them are.Nothing I say will change their opinion that I'm a whore; they've already made up their mind. I take a seat back and wait for this interrogation to end so I can be taken to a quiet
It's during moments like these that I can recall my motivation for shaving. It requires little to no upkeep.He looks so heavy-set that it seems like they could close at any moment and stay that way, and he sounds discouraged as he adds, "I even took a cab up there."I got the impression from studying him that any sleep he did get was not restorative or lengthy. He appears incredibly worn out. "You mentioned that it would be a time waster.""Yeah, I did," he concedes, sounding exhausted rather than merely worn out. Vanquished. But I was at a loss for what to do. Has Finn said anything to you?He's not giving it his all. I should have left him sleep, sh*t.I bring the bottle up to my lips. Glancing quickly at him, I ask, "Who the fuck cares?"His brow is wrinkled as he looks off into space. Though it appears that he is lost in thought, I doubt that he is feeling the same rage that is burning in my stomach. Dan is forgiving when it comes to most things, but once someone is on my "shit l
I'm not overweight, nor am I six feet tall. My quickness and my readiness to go above and beyond to defeat an opponent are what allow me to win. Fairness has never been taken into consideration.What was important was winning. Leandro's eyes are getting wary of whatever it is he sees when I'm on my feet.Finn moves in front of us. "We're short on time for this. Dan set down that bottle. Put on a shirt, Jade.Come with me.I laugh. "You anticipate us to—"He looks down at me. "I anticipate that you will comply. That's what I anticipate. This is alpha me. Not the case with you. rather than Dan.It seemed that he was near enough to hear us.Leandro whispers, "Ah, is there trouble in parad—"Finn cuts me off with a stern remark, "If you want to survive the next five minutes, Leandro," as he keeps staring me down. "I would just shut up."I get distracted by movement out of the corner of my eye. Den."What is your knowledge of Darius?" As Dan gets up and asks, he stumbles so much that he fa
Assist? I laugh to myself. Was that why, when I destroyed your picture, you were threatening to give me another, closer look? because you desired to assist me?Hours before, the smell of burned black coffee receded, but now when it nags at my nose again, I know Detective Bradley placed his plastic coffee cup to the side.When he got up at two in the morning to find some liquid refreshment to continue the interview, there was no coffee offered to me. Not that I would have accepted his offer. I would have needed to use the loo by now, given it is almost three, and I have a feeling that the request would have cost more than I was ready to pay.A moment later, I heard the rustle of paper, and then I saw a horrible snapshot that I had to remind myself not to look at. I yell at myself to shut my eyes and act as though I didn't see it.I can't, though.Some things are impossible to ignore."Now. Let's discuss a cold case that dates back three years. We think that before the couple in the nea