My heart drops to my stomach at the sight of his purpling face. “Riot!”
Riot rams his elbow back into his attacker's gut, breaking the hold around his neck as the guard doubles over in a dry heave. Before he can gain his bearings, Riot whips his head toward me, his mouth spread in a bloody smile. “Give them fucking hell for me, little muse.”
One of the guards shoves a taser to the side of Riot’s neck, and he slumps to the ground in a convulsing heap.
“No!” I scream, racing toward him before I know what I’m doing. Just before I reach him, a pair of arms wraps around my middle, hauling me off my feet and back the way I came. I turn my head, gazing into the cruel eyes of the guard Riot was whaling on just minutes before.
“Fuck you,” I seethe, clawing at his arms, trying to draw blood. “Put me down!”
“Shut the fuck up,” he growls, tightening his grip as he hauls me in the opposite direction of the water. “Just do what’s good for you and calm down.”
I don’t. The entire walk back to the car, I kick, scream, and fight—but it does little good. In my mind and my heart, I know it will do nothing. I know that no matter what I do, my fate will be the same. I’m still going back to that house. I’m still going to be controlled.
But I’m sick and fucking tired of lying back and taking it.
So even though it’s worthless, even though it’s doing more harm than good, I fight.
It hurts that much more to watch Riot scream my name as they drive me away. Because I know it’s truly over.
31
Riot
“Riot Arden?You’re free to go.”
The officer trying out for the world’s worst combover scowls at me from the other side of the bars, pressing a button that makes a loud buzzing sound ring out through the jail cell. The iron bars click open, and I step through into another room where the surly-looking guard passes me a plastic bag full of my shit—shoes, socks, piercings, and all. Without a word, he shows me into a small room to change, and when I’m dressed, he escorts me to the main lobby.
The first thing I notice is Enzo’s piercing ice-blue eyes, and the next is the thrumming vein at his temple, seemingly moments away from bursting.
“Hey, Enz.” I cautiously move closer to him. “Thanks for posting bail…”
“Don’t youthankme,” he growls. “I cannot fucking believe you. After all the strings I pulled, all the work that went into making sure you stay out of prison, and youfuckedit.”
“It was for a good reason.”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s always for a good reason.”
“You don’t understand. It wasn’t aboutmethis time. It’s Eloise.”
Enzo sighs, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I figured as much.” He raises his head, eyes scanning the room, taking in the dozens of ears that could be listening in on our private conversation. “Follow me outside.”
Enzo leads me out to the parking lot, making a beeline for his car. I slide into the passenger seat without question, but once the doors are closed, I can’t hold it inside.
“Did you find out anything about Eloise? Did you figure out how to help her?”
Enzo doesn’t respond for a while. “I think you need to leave this Eloise situation alone, Riot. I don’t think… I can’t find anyone who knows how to help. There’s nothing we can do.”
“What do youmeanwe can’t do anything? She’s literally his prisoner, Enzo! He’s been abusing her and taking advantage of her for fuckingyears!”
Enzo rubs his temples, his mouth turning into a grim frown. “His lawyers are good, Riot. That, and it seems he’s been incredibly careful over the years. There is zero evidence that Dave has been taking advantage of Eloise, andtonsto indicate she’s unfit to act as an independent.” He shakes his head. “Unless we find something concrete, our hands are tied.”
“Bullshit,” I snarl. “I’m fucking going over there and getting her away from that monster. Right now.”
Enzo’s hand clasps my shoulder, stopping me from exiting the moving vehicle. “Wait, Riot. You can’t.”
“Fucking watch me.”
“No, I mean youcan’t.As soon as you set foot on the property, the police will haul you off. It’s pointless.” He shoves a folded piece of paper into my lap, and I snatch it up, my eyes tearing over the words savagely.It’s a restraining order.
