I get into the story, telling him what happened, but leaving out some minor details because I don’t want to get into it. Besides, Harrison’s reason for breaking in, his specific reason, isn’t quite need-to-know just yet. First they need to find him. Everything else can be worked out after. Once I can breathe knowing he’s detained.
“So, Harrison Caldwell is angry because you’re seeing someone else?” the cop asks.
“Well, I was. I’m not now, but yes. That’s why he’s angry.”
I feel Elliot’s gaze on me but refuse to look at him.
“And has anyone seen him?” the other cop asks the guard. He’s been standing off to the side, listening to what’s going on. He’s a little younger, with blond hair.
“We haven’t found him yet. I let my team know to keep looking, and I also have someone checking cameras.”
“You have cameras?” the cop near me asks. I glance at his nametag—Birch.
“In the hallways and main lobby. Nothing that sees into apartments,” Elliot explains.
“And who are you exactly?” Birch says to Elliot.
“I own this building.”
“Do you know where Harrison would be, Seraphine?”Birch asks me.
“I have his address,” Elliot adds. “I’m sure that’s where he is going. And if not, then he’ll likely be with his stepsister. I’ll give you her address too.”
He gives the information to the cops, then they chat with the security guard who eventually takes them to the other room so they can look over the security footage. I don’t know what, if anything, they will be able to see, but hopefully it’s something. I don’t want them to think I’m lying or that I’m being crazy.
I’m suddenly aware that it’s only Elliot and I in this room.
“I’m sorry, Seraphine,” he says, sitting beside me on the couch.
“Are you though?” I say.
“Of course, I am.”
“Why?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why are you sorry? Is it only because I got angry about it? Or is it because you started this terrible chain of events? What is it you’re sorry about, Elliot?”
His mouth opens and closes like a fish, brow furrowing. Until finally he speaks, giving a small shake of his head.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t respect your wants.”
And those words… those words have the tears flowing because I hadn’t expected him to say that. I thought he wouldn’t understand why I’m upset. That he’d make me feel like an idiot for being mad about that exact thing. I thought he’d apologize for what he did, the face value of it. But Elliot Caldwell has surprised me from day one, so maybe I shouldn’t be too shocked that he understands this now. But if he’s so understanding of it, why did he do it in the first place?
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Elliot
It’s difficult to hold back the pure happiness and relief I feel over Seraphine agreeing to come home with me. Though I know it’s likely because she doesn’t feel safe at her own place and her friend didn’t answer the phone, I still consider it a win.
I messed up. I know that. I knew it when I was doing it, but I didn’t care. I was too caught up in my own needs that I hadn’t thought of hers. Funny, considering thinking about her is all I’ve done since the day I met her. But I guess even at my age, it isn’t too late to learn something.
“Are you hungry?” I ask, closing the front door behind me and locking it.
Seraphine doesn’t respond, just stands with her back to me, arms hugging around her waist.
Carefully, I move toward her and put my hands gently on her back and arm, leading her to the couch. She sits and I kneel in front of her.
