“I’m not resisting.” My voice was shaking.
I steeled myself against his touch. Tears filled my eyes.
“Have you been drinking Ma’am?”
“No.” He didn’t believe me. Knowing I was wearing Amber’s shots all over my shirt, I guess I couldn’t blame him.
“Where did you get the car?”
“It’s mine. I don’t understand. What’s this all about?”
“This car was reported stolen earlier this afternoon. I’m going to have to place you under arrest.”
Stolen? No, there had to be a mistake. Scott’s voice echoed in my mind, and suddenly I realized the mistake had been me not taking his threats seriously.
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can be held against you in a court of law…”
Chapter Fifteen
“Name and date of birth,” the somber-looking policewoman stated in a monotone voice.
I sat on the hard chair, my arms behind my back with handcuffs securing my wrists. I was cold and scared. “Isabelle Bentley. March 5, 1986.” My teeth chattered, quaking the words.
Squinting to read the woman’s nametag, I thought it said Officer O’Leary. She was around my age, maybe a little older with long hair pulled into a severe ponytail at the back of her head, no make-up and deep frown that seemed etched into her skin. Since she worked around criminals, I guess I could understand the lack of humor in her job. It wasn’t as if she could go around smiling and cutting up with people that were about to be hauled off to jail.
Officer O’Leary typed the information into the computer, not bothering to look up at me. “Address and Social Security number.”
I gave her the information, feeling numb. “What’s going to happen to me after this?”
“You’ll go to lock up.”
“Oh.”
“Is there someone you’d like to call?”
Hunter. My heart squeezed just thinking his name. He was here, somewhere in this building and I knew without a doubt that he’d come to me if I called him, but I wasn’t going to do that. It would be embarrassing for him to have to come rescue me, and I didn’t want to put him through that.
I thought of calling Reed, but I dismissed that idea for the same reasons I didn’t want to call Hunter. My little brother had been through a lot lately and didn’t need to be bailing his sister out of jail.
That left Ellie and Cora. There was no way in hell I’d call Ellie to come pick me up at the police station after our argument. I hadn’t even had the chance to apologize, and she’d been sick. No, I wouldn’t call Ellie. Cora would pick me up, but she and Jase were taking care of Amber.
“There’s no one.”
For the first time since I’d sat down, Officer O’Leary glanced up at me. “Are you sure? Any family, friends, an attorney, maybe?”
“Do I need a lawyer?” What a stupid question! I’d been arrested and was about to go to jail. A lawyer would be good.
“You’re being charged with stealing the car. The officer that arrested you said there was reason to believe you’d been drinking and that you might be in possession of contraband.”
Contraband? “I don’t have any drugs and I took a Breathalyzer.”
“You agreed to a blood test. That should settle the DUI charge and possibly determine if you have any illegal substances in your system.”
“I’ve never done drugs. This is all a misunderstanding.”
She looked at me with flat eyes that showed not a bit of interest in what I was saying. She’d probably heard the ‘I’m innocent’ tale a few million times in her career, and wasn’t giving any credence to my story.
“You’ll be searched and then taken to a cell.”
“Searched? You mean like a strip search?” I felt suddenly sick. “What if I refuse?”
“You can’t refuse.”
“I’ve changed my mind about talking to someone.”
“You want to make a phone call now?”
“I want to speak with Captain McAllister.”
At the mention of Hunter’s title and name Officer O’Leary perked up, looking suddenly interested. Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know the Captain?” she asked suspiciously.
“He’s a friend.”
“If he is a friend, then you’d have his number.” The statement was almost a challenge, and she picked up the phone, lifting her brows in question.
She put the phone on speaker as I told her the number I knew by heart and she punched them in. A moment later he answered. “McAllister.”
The sound of his voice brought tears to my eyes. I saw that the policewoman was surprised; she hadn’t really thought I knew him.
“Hunter.” My voice wobbled.
“Isabelle?” I heard the surprise in his voice, knew he recognized the number just hadn’t expected me to be calling from it. “Where are you?”
“I-I’m at the police station. I’ve been arrested.”
I heard him draw in a breath. “Where are you Isabelle?” he asked calmly.
“I’m being booked right now.” I closed my eyes, feeling ashamed and desperate. “I shouldn’t have called you. I’m sorry.”
“Of course you should have called me. I’ll be right there.”
“If you’re busy—“
“Isabelle, I’m on my way,” he repeated in no-nonsense tone. “Hang on until I get there.”
I now had Officer O’Leary’s undivided attention. “So you and the Captain are just friends?” she asked curiously.
“Actually, I’m his daughter’s friend,” I told her thinking Hunter would be less embarrassed than if I’d claimed to be his friend.
“Oh, you know Ellie.”
“She’s one of my best friends. We also work together.”
“You’re a nurse?”
“No. I work as a clown, doing magic shows and entertaining kids in the hospitals.” As soon as I finished the sentence, it occurred to me what my arrest might mean for Izzy because no one would want a felon working around children. I’d never be able to get a teaching certificate. I might not even be able to get a job at all.
My throat closed up. I was not going to fall apart.
A moment later I saw Hunter walk up, and I was overwhelmed with relief. I relaxed, knowing everything was going to be okay now. His eyes met mine and I saw the reassurance in their depths, but he did not speak or make a move to come to me, despite that I desperately needed to be touched by him.
He was dressed almost entirely in black, except for the silver-gray tie around his neck. A shiver danced down my spine as I stared at him.
“Has she been processed?”
O’Leary’s suddenly alert eyes focused on him. “Yes, sir. We’re done here.”
He nodded. “I want see the report.”
“Yes, sir.”
O’Leary handed some paperwork to Hunter and his frown deepened. His gaze flicked to mine and then his attention turned back to whatever he was reading. It wasn’t good. I could tell from his grim expression that I was in serious trouble.
“Officer O’Leary if you’re finished with Miss Bentley, I’d like to speak with her.”
O’Leary looked suddenly uneasy.
“You’re done, right?” Hunter asked.
“Officer Duncan ordered a strip search because of the suspicion of contra---“
“I read the report, O’Leary. She’s not going to be strip searched.”
Swallowing nervously, O’Leary asked, “Captain, may I have a word with you?”
“If you want to talk about the search, nothing you say will make a difference. It’s not going to happen.”
Officer O’Leary frowned, looking uncomfortable.
“Relax O’Leary,” Hunter said quietly. “I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong.”
I felt terrible for the awkward position I’d put Hunter in. He was risking himself for me, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. I locked eyes with Hunter. “I don’t want to get you into trouble.�
�
He shot me a silencing look and stalked towards me. “Come on,” he said, helping me up and leading me down a hall. My hands were still cuffed behind my back and he made no move to unfasten them, just kept urging me forward until he reached an office where he pulled me inside and shut the door.
Reaching behind my back, he undid the handcuffs and suddenly I was free. My arms felt strangely numb.
Hunter touched the side of my face and I stepped into his arms thankful when they encircled me, holding my body tightly, protectively against his. He was warm and it felt so good to be close to him.
“Jesus, you’re freezing. Are you okay?”
“Not really. You could get into a lot of trouble, and it’s not worth it. It was selfish of me to call you. You’ve every right to be pissed.”
“I’d have been pissed at you if you hadn’t called me, Izzy.”
“When you said to call if I needed anything, I’m guessing this isn’t exactly what you meant.”
Chucking me gently beneath the chin, he looked into my eyes. “It’s not what I imagined happening, but you did the right thing. You’re in a lot of trouble.”
“I know,” I whispered, unable to keep the fear from my voice.
“Have you been drinking?” he asked quietly.
I glanced at him in surprise and I realized he smelled the liquor on me. “No. Amber spilled some shots on me. I promise I wouldn’t lie to you. I don’t know why they think I have drugs. I’ve never done them, I swear.”
“Alright, I believe you. What about the car?”
“I bought it from my ex-boyfriend.”
“Do you have a title?”
I had to be the stupidest person alive. “He was going to send it to me, but after we broke up he wanted more money.”
Hunter frowned. “Do you have any proof that you paid him for the car?”
“Yes, I have the cancelled checks.”
“That’s good.” He nodded, rubbing my back.
I wanted to hang on to him and never let go. “I’m going to jail, aren’t I?”
“No.” The conviction in his voice was both reassuring and unnerving.
“Promise me something,” I said, taking his hand. “Whatever happens, I don’t want you to get into trouble for me, and I don’t want Reed to know about this.”
“I can’t promise you that.”
“Hunter.” I desperately grabbed his arm, needing him to understand that he couldn’t sacrifice his career for me. “Promise me, please.”
He leaned forward until I felt his minty breath on my lips. I waited for his kiss but it never came. His gaze burned into mine. “I promise you this, Izzy. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that you’re safe.”
“If I have to be—strip searched. I want you to do it.”
“I’ve already told you that’s not happening. Stop worrying about it.”
“But if it did, please. I want it to be you.”
“Baby that’s not how it works. Men don’t strip search female prisoners. Even if it was done that way, there’s no way I’d do that to you. And I won’t let anyone else either. Trust me.”
I did trust Hunter, more than I’d ever trusted anyone and it frightened me how easily I believed in him.
“Hey, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
His phone buzzed, and he pushed the speaker. “Captain, the Chief wants to see you in his office ASAP.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“This is about me.”
“Probably.” His eyes narrowed intently on mine. “I won’t let you down, Izzy.”
And then he kissed me. His mouth brushed lightly over mine and I leaned into him. “We’ve got to go.”
“To see the Chief?”
Pain flashed in his eyes, and I knew what was going to happen even before he spoke the words.
“Izzy—“
I placed my fingertips on his lips. “I understand. You’re taking me to jail.”
“No, it’s just a holding cell. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” His knuckles brushed my face. “I’ll fix this. You don’t need to worry.”
“Don’t get yourself in trouble for me,” I said with a smile.
“Too late. I’m already in trouble where you’re concerned.”
I don’t know who moved first, but our mouths met in an achingly tender kiss that brought tears to my eyes. I blinked them away quickly, knowing Hunter wouldn’t do what he needed to if I showed any sign of falling apart. He was amazing like that, protective and more of a hero than any man I’d ever known.
The kiss ended and I heard the cling of handcuffs, saw the regret flash in his eyes. “Just do it,” I whispered, holding his steady gaze bravely. I put my hands behind my back and started to turn, but he caught me, placing my hands in front of me.
Seconds later the cold metal bracelets snapped on my wrists and I flinched before I could stop myself.
He swore. His eyes fastened intently on mine. “I’m sorry. I’ve broken enough rules tonight, and I need to follow procedure if I’m going to convince the Chief to listen to what I have to say.”
“Don’t apologize. I understand,” I told him, and that only seemed to make him feel worse.
Tearing his gaze from mine, he grabbed his sports-jacket off the back of his chair and led me from his office. I kept my eyes down, not looking at any of the people we passed, but I felt them watching. Occasionally, someone would speak to Hunter and he’d reply briefly but never stopped to chat.
“Captain, what’re you doing down here?”
Hunter said something to the officer that had spoken to him, and even though I didn’t make eye contact I knew the officer’s gaze was on me. A moment later, Hunter took me down a long hallway lined with several ominous looking doors with a small window, and I began to shake.
Unlocking the heavy door and guiding me inside, I looked around the stark, lifeless room with tall somber walls and cot. Steeling myself against the fear that was churning inside of me, I met Hunter’s troubled, uncertain blue eyes. In all the time I’d known him, I’d never seen him look afraid but he did now, and it was all because of me.
I forced a smile. “No TV?” I joked.
“You’re shaking.”
“So are you,” I said, watching his trembling hand lift to my cheek.
Taking a deep breath, he took off the handcuffs and I was almost sad to see them go because it meant that Hunter was about to leave as well. “I’ll be okay,” I assured him.
“I’ll be back soon. I promise.” He pulled his jacket around my shoulders, kissed me on the forehead and quickly turned to go, as if he had to do it before he changed his mind.
The heavy door closed with a menacing thunder.
My chest tightened as I glanced around the room, and it was difficult to breathe. Even when I was little I couldn’t stand to be closed in small places. If I didn’t calm down, I was going to have a panic attack. Taking slow, deep breaths I laid down on the cot, closed my eyes, and pulled Hunter’s jacket tightly around me.
Chapter Sixteen
My body shook violently, and I curled up into a ball, clasping my knees to my chest and trying to stop the tremors. I kept my eyes closed and thought about Hunter, imagined that we were somewhere warm with lots of open space. The beach. I pictured blue skies, the sun soaking into our skin as we lay on a sandy-white beach with clear water.
Our limbs were tangled together and Hunter couldn’t stop kissing me, and I didn’t want him to. I tried to think of what our swimsuits looked like, and decided that since it was all a dream I might as well have some fun. I imagined us naked. Hunter, with his hard, sculpted muscles and smooth, tanned skin made my body weep just looking at him. His hands brushed over my body, my neck, back, breasts, and between my thighs. I moaned beneath his touch.
The creaking door intruded on my dream. “The Captain wants to see you.”
I shot up on the cot, embarrassed even though she couldn’t read my mind.
“You alright?”
O’Leary asked me, her gaze raking over me, seeming to note that I was wearing Hunter’s jacket.
“I’m sure there are worse places to spend the night.”
“Hmm.” She didn’t sound too sure. “Since you’re such good friends with Captain McAllister, you might not have to spend the night.”
My gaze flew to Officer O’Leary and I was surprised to see a flash of anger in her eyes. “I don’t think that’ll help me.”
“Don’t you?” she clipped dubiously.
“I can’t post bond until tomorrow.”
“I just hope the Captain knows what he’s doing. He’s always played by the book, but he isn’t thinking clearly around you.”
“You don’t like me.”
“I don’t know you. I do know Captain McAllister and he’s a good man. I’d hate to see him ruin his career just because he couldn’t keep his pants zipped around you.”
“What?” I asked, shocked. Then I recalled the look of disgust on O’Leary’s face just before Hunter took me to his office. She thought that we… I shook my head. “No, you’ve got it wrong. We’ve never had sex. I really am Ellie’s friend.”
She shook her head, dismissing the conversation. “Turn around.”
I did and she snapped on the handcuffs a little too tightly.
As she led me out of the cell and toward Hunter’s office I tried, desperately, to think of something to convince O’Leary that she was wrong about Hunter and I.
“Nothing happened between us in his office.”
“I hope you can remember that story,” she replied bitterly, as she pushed me into Hunter’s office.
My gaze landed on Ellie and I felt my throat close with emotion. She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so sorry Ellie,” I whispered. I felt Hunter behind me and suddenly my hands were free and I hugged Ellie back.
“It’ll be okay,” Ellie told me.
I have no idea how long we held each other before I felt someone come up beside us, and turned to see Reed. Catching the knowing look in his eyes, I smiled, trying to reassure him that I was fine, and then I hugged him.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Hunter watching us and I wanted nothing more than to have him hold me, but I couldn’t do that now. Instead, I turned to Ellie and Reed.
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