In tandem, we turn and walk away, Zane falling into step on his other side as we make our way through to the balcony. Once the door is closed between us and the other partygoers, I pull Maddox into a tight embrace. “You did so well.”
“I didn’t even tell him off for what he did to you. I’m so sorry I ever let him come between us.” He turns to face Ant. “And I apologise for what I said to you at the clinic. It was unforgiveable.”
Ant stares at him for a long time, brow twisting into a hundred different expressions. “Did you do what you told me?”
Maddox shakes his head. “Your sister wouldn’t be standing beside me if I had.”
I frown, wondering what really passed between the two of them because I appear to only have part of the story.
“Then I suppose I can forgive you.”
“Thank you.”
“But if you ever hurt Evie, I will kill you. Slowly. Taking great delight in every drop of blood I spill and every scream.”
“Ant!”
“What?” he says, schooling his face into a look of pure innocence. “I’m allowed to daydream about torture. There’s nothing at all about that in the twelve steps.”
I still glare at him, and he gives an elaborate sigh. “I’m going back inside to work the crowd. Apparently, there’s a gap in the market for someone who can get unsavoury things done without asking awkward questions.”
“You don’t mind me tagging along, do you?” Dahlia asks, earning a fiery hot glare from Wilder, who immediately pushes into place beside her.
“Come with me and I’ll introduce you to everyone you want to know.”
My brother winks at me, whispering, “Guess I stepped on someone’s toes.”
“No romantic entanglements for a year, remember?”
He flaps his hand at me before following the couple inside, immediately being snagged by a small group of businessmen near the door.
Maddox pulls a face. “So, he’s the new Vale?”
“No, he fucking isn’t. My brother has a moral compass, you know. He just likes to help people.”
Zane snorts, earning a frown that doesn’t appear to worry him at all. We find a table and sit, enjoying the festivities from afar. When the cool breeze off the river makes me shiver, Maddox puts his arm around me, feeding me his warmth.
“Uh-oh,” Zane says, pointing to where a couple of police officers have arrived on scene. “Guess someone complained about the noise.”
“It’s only ten o’clock.” I laugh in protest. “And surely everyone who’d care is already inside.”
I track their progress with interest, then shiver as the officers turn our way, walking straight for the balcony. They slide the door open, surveying us and the dozen other guests out here.
“Maddox Alcott?” the female officer asks, stepping forward when he nods while my skin crackles with ice. “We have a few questions about the vehicle you drove here tonight.”
“Do you?” His voice is strained and when I turn to look through the glass doors, Blaine tips me a one-finger salute. The betrayal pinches my throat closed. Each time I think we’ve reached the depths of his depravity, the man reveals another basement.
“There are reports of the same vehicle at the site of an arson, month before last. We’d like you to accompany us to the station to answer some questions.”
“No.” I clench Maddox’s arm in a tighter grip, panic bubbling in my chest. “Can’t this wait?”
“Three people were seriously hurt. It’s not something we want to postpone.” The male officer grips his belt, squaring his shoulders. “You can come to the station voluntarily or we can make this formal. Your choice.”
“It’ll be okay,” Maddox whispers into my ear. “This is my mess.”
Zane stares at me, then his friend. He stands, moving between us and the cops. “I know what you’re here for, but you’ve got the wrong man. I drove his car that night. I’m the one you want.”
Maddox grabs his arm. “What are you doing?”
