“I’ll give it at the station.”Her voice brooks no argument, her gaze refusing to leave mine.“I’ll follow you in your car.”
“The key is in my pocket,” I motion with my head, and the officer takes the keyless fob out of my pocket, handing it to Eve.
As they load me into the back of the patrol car, I catch Eve’s eyes through the window.There’s something there I can’t quite read—anger, worry, determination.Maybe fear?
The car door slams shut, and as we pull away from the alley, I can see Luis being loaded into an ambulance, his face a canvas of bruises and blood.Sirens wail as we head toward downtown, and all I can think about is the sound of Eve’s cry when he hit her, and the satisfaction that still burns in my chest knowing that bastard will think twice before putting his hands on her again.
Worth it.Every fucking second was worth it.
The fluorescent lights of the police station burn harsh against my eyes as I sit in the uncomfortable plastic chair, still shaking from the adrenaline.The coffee they gave me has gone cold, but I keep wrapping my fingers around the cup anyway, needing something to hold onto.
We’ve been here for hours.An officer has taken my statement, but they’re not letting me see Caleb.My heart is pounding in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears.Nobody will tell me anything.
I’ve been asked to go home three times now, but I refuse.I don’t know who to call.I don’t have Ethan’s number.I don’t have the number of anyone in Caleb’s family.I’ve tried messaging Iris to get Natalie’s number, but she’s not responded yet.
What do I do?
Helpless tears burn my eyes.I check the wall clock.It’s nearing midnight.I hesitate when my family flashes into my mind.I don’t want to call my brothers.They won’t help Caleb.They’ll help Luis.
A small voice in my head tells me I’m being ridiculous.Why would they help Luis?But my past experiences have taught me time and again that they will never stand by me where my mother and her desires are concerned.
One of the officers approaches me and his voice is gentle, “Miss Lopez, you really should go home.I can have someone give you a ride if you’re not up for driving.”
“I’m not leaving without Caleb.”I give the man a blank look.“Where is he?Why won’t you let me see him?”
“He assaulted the other man, Miss Lopez.It was aggravated assault.We had to process him.He’s not going anywhere tonight.”This is the only information I’ve received since I got here.He walks away, and my heart sinks.
Clenching my phone, I finally look up Marco’s contact.My oldest brother answers on the second ring, his voice sleepy.
“Marco, it’s me.”
“Eve?What’s wrong?You sound?—”
“I’m at the police station.”The words tumble out quickly as I try not to cry.“Luis attacked me tonight.Caleb stopped him, but they arrested both of them.I need you to come down here.I need—I need a lawyer for Caleb.They won’t let him leave.I?—”
“Eve.”My brother cuts me off, and I realize I’m breathing short gasping breaths, panic in everyone of them.Then he asks slowly, “Are you hurt?”
“No.Shaken up, but I’m okay.”
“Which station?”
I look around and spot a sign.“The 14th Precinct.”
“We’re on our way.”
The line goes dead, and I sit there in the waiting area, my fingers clenching and unclenching around my phone.I had been sure I saw Luis from the restaurant's window.But when the car passed, blocking my view, he was gone.I thought maybe I had imagined it.Maybe I was just being paranoid.After all, weeks of Caleb staying at my place must have made Luis realize we were really done.I hadn’t expected him to burst into the toilet as I had been leaving and drag me outside.
I was so stupid, so arrogant to think I could handle him.Caleb had been right all along.Luis was crazy.
Whenever I close my eyes, I keep playing it back: that raw rage on Caleb’s face, the roar that left his mouth when he started beating Luis.The sickening sounds of flesh striking flesh are forever seared in my brain.
The minutes tick by slowly, and then I hear a familiar voice.
“Miss Lopez?”
I look up to see Ethan Wilder approaching me.He’s wearing an expensive suit despite the late hour, and he doesn’t look happy.Behind him is another man I recognize as their brother, Jake, the company lawyer.His posture is relaxed, but his eyes are hard.
“Mr.Wilder.Mr.—”
