Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“Where’s Marigold?” I can’t stand not knowing where she is.
“She’s fine. Not arrested. Her father brought her in and tossed her into an interview room up front. I’ve already had a word with him, but seeing as how she isn’t under arrest, there isn’t much I can do. She’s free to go, but she won’t leave without you.”
“You saw her? Is she all right?” I lean forward, the cuffs cutting into my wrists.
“She’s fine.” Calista smiles a little. “Still wearing her wedding dress and demanding I get you out of here. She’s waiting for you, though her father didn’t look too pleased. He was smart enough not to interfere with me speaking to her, but not smart enough to keep all the rage off his face while I did it. But Marigold stood her ground.”
That warms my heart to levels I’ve never experienced. It’s never been in doubt that I’ll stick up for Marigold whenever and wherever necessary, but here she is fighting for me.
“Anyway, as I was saying, we’ll need to discuss filing our suit against these clowns as soon as possible. The false imprisonment alone would be a gold mine and–” Her phone begins to vibrate. She pulls it out and gives me a half smile. “It’s Monroe.” She takes the call, the entire conversation collegial and warm as the judge bends to her every command.
Elliott stares open-mouthed as she makes some not-so-veiled threats about what our threatened civil suit would mean for his reelection and the city’s coffers.
“Yes … yes, thank you, Judge. I’ll see you at your fundraiser next weekend.” She laughs, low and throaty.
Elliot swallows hard.
“Of course. I’ll be happy to share a drink with you.” Her tone verges on flirty.
Elliot slams his hand on the table.
“Cool it,” I say quietly. “Keep it together.”
He cuts his gaze to me, and it’s almost as if he’d momentarily forgotten I was here.
“Yes. Thank you.” She ends the call and drops the phone into her bag. “All settled.” Her voice is back to all business. “The judge is calling the chief right now. And in about …” She taps her fingers. “In about 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1–” The interrogation room door opens. “They’ll be here to let you go.”
The cop from before comes in grumbling, then uncuffs me and shoves my envelope of belongings into my hands.
“Hey, you want me to add assault to the list?” Calista steps into the cop’s space. “Don’t touch my clients like that.”
“I’m the one in charge here, little lady, and–”
Elliott moves quickly, getting between them. “Back the fuck off,” he practically growls.
I dig through the envelope, pull out my wedding ring, and slide it onto my finger. I’ll never go without it again.
“Are you threatening an officer of the law?” The cop’s voice shakes as he looks up at Elliott.
“I’m telling you to treat her with respect or I’ll fucking end you. So if you find that to be a threat, then yes.”
“Elliott.” Calista puts her hand on his arm and gently pulls him back. “Everything’s in order. We’re ready to go.” She points to the door. “Get on with it.” Her sharp tone cuts through the tension in the room.
The officer goes to the door and unlocks it then holds it open. “Come on. You’re all free to go.”
“No shit, Sherlock.” Calista glares at him as she leads us down the hall and out into the police station.
As soon as we’re past the cell block door, I have my head on a swivel as I search for Marigold.
When I see her, my heart seems to beat again, and I push past the cop and run straight for her.
“Avery!” She darts toward me, her arms open.
Before she can get to me, her father steps into the hall, blocking her.
“Marigold, I already told you. You’re coming home with me. Take that ridiculous dress off.” He reaches for her arm, grabbing her hard, then yanks her down the hall as she yelps in pain.
That’s when something breaks inside me–or perhaps something simply flicks. Like the way you flick the safety off on a gun.
I run forward, grab her father around the neck with my forearm, and wrench him backwards. “Don’t you fucking touch her, you piece of shit,” I snarl.
“Hey!” The desk officer stands and reaches for his gun. “Let him go!”
Calista elbows her way ahead of us and stands in front of Marigold. “You’re going to pull a gun on a man who’s only trying to defend his wife?” she scolds, then points up at the video camera in the corner of the room. “It’s on video, dipshit. When the internal affairs team reviews this, they’re going to see this so-called officer of the law assaulting his own daughter while you stood by and did nothing and then had the fucking gall to pull a weapon on the one person who tried to defend her?” She turns to me. “Avery, let him go. We’re leaving.”