“She owes me! She’s my daughter! She can’t do this!”
The door slams as they haul her out, a loud silence crashing down around me.
I cough, rubbing my neck, trying to steady my breathing. My whole body shakes.
Another officer hurries in. “Miss Winters, are you okay?”
“I want Wilder,” I rasp.
He nods immediately. “Of course.”
Seconds feel like hours. Then the door opens and Wilder steps inside. The moment he sees me, something dark and violent ignites in his eyes. His gaze drops to my throat, and his entire body goes rigid.
“Millie.”
I don’t make it to him.
He crosses the room in two strides and pulls me into his arms. The impact knocks the breath from my lungs, but I cling to him just as tightly.
“I’m here,” he murmurs against my hair. His hands rub slow circles over my back. “I’ve got you.”
The steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek calms the storm inside me. The shaking eases.
“I’m okay,” I whisper.
He pulls back just enough to look at me. His jaw is tight, fury barely contained. “She touched you?”
I nod.
His arms tighten again, like he wants to shield me from the entire world.
Minutes pass before the door opens once more and the detectives return.
“Miss Winters,” one says. “Your mother has been charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest. Given what happened here, you may also press charges for assault and apply for a restraining order.”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
They bring paperwork. Wilder sits in the chair, and I end up in his lap without thinking. His arms wrap around me, solidand unyielding, while I fill out forms with slightly trembling hands.
Every time my pen pauses, his fingers tighten around my waist, reminding me he’s there.
When it’s done, I look up. “What about the missing person report? The kidnapping accusation?”
The officers exchange a glance. One of them gives a small, knowing smile.
“It’s clear those claims were unfounded. The report will be closed.”
Relief floods me so suddenly my eyes sting.
“You’re both free to go.”
Wilder stands, still holding me close.
As we walk out of the station together, his hand never leaves mine.
***
Later that night, I lie all snuggled against Wilder’s naked body. The room smells like sex and sweat and…peace.
