Page 29 of Evidence of Us

“Uh, yeah,” I say. Truthfully, I don’t know, but we all know he would have if he had the time. “I was able to throw him off as you got to me.”

“He had his hands on your hips. Why?” Zeke asks.

“I think he was about to try and pin me again. It happened fast,” I say honestly.

“Go read him his rights,” Kevin says.

“He admitted to making his sister beg,” I say. “Zeke heard it.”

“Parker and Geno did, too,” Zeke says.

“I’ll make some calls and see if we can get a warrant,” Kevin says. I nod and fix my pants before we all walk down the trail. Parker has Adam outside of a cruiser near the media that is forming in the parking lot.

“Adam Sloane,” I say. “You are under arrest for assault on an officer and attempted rape. You have the right to remain silent.Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford it, one will be provided for you.”

“I’ll fucking kill you for this,” he growls.

“Adding communicating threats,” I say before Parker shoves him into the cruiser.

When we get into my car, I shriek when my seat is leaned back suddenly, but Dawson kisses me hard, and I relax. “Were you just hiding back here?” I ask.

“Kevin didn’t want me to get too close in case it escalated, so it didn’t mess up the chance of him getting charged,” Dawson says, kissing me again.

“I’m okay,” I say.

“I know. You scared everyone screaming like that, though,” he says, not letting go of me. Zeke has his hand on my thigh, and I realize they really are scared.

“I’m sorry I scared you two,” I say.

“We are so proud of you, Mariska. You are amazing,” Zeke says, squeezing my leg. “We are going home. He is in custody, so we are all going to relax until we get the warrant.”

“Oh, good,” I say.

“Your parents are going to be at your house, by the way,” Zeke tells me. “Your Dad texted and asked when we were free, and I told him now, a few minutes ago.”

“Oh, good,” I say. “Dad will panic when he finds out someone tackled me.”

“Yeah, it’s already been reported that you were attacked,” Dawson says, kissing me again.

“As long as he is in jail,” I say. “Maybe this way we can get a warrant and get him charged with the murders, too. At least the one for his sister.”

“Yeah. We will just have to wait and see what happens,” Zeke says, patting my leg.

When we get home, I escape to the bathroom to take a shower. I don’t know when my parents will be here, but I just need a moment alone.

Chapter Twelve

Dawson

I can hear Mariska’swhimpers and sniffles as she fights to hide that she is crying. I want to go in there and hold her, but I know she needs a moment to process what has happened.

The truth is, she is absolutely going to spiral. Zeke and I both know it. I can just see the storm swirling around her. The question is, will she stay grounded? When she spirals, it admittedly scares me. I was always so worried that I’d get a call one day saying that she had taken her life. Her parents are amazing people, and I kept in contact with them a lot for this reason. There were times she was absolutely a threat to herself, but her parents urged me to just give her time. I trusted that they knew their daughter, and they were always right. I was always quick to suggest an involuntary commitment, but she surprisedme each and every time she pulled herself out of the depths of the depression.

Zeke opens the door, and Mariska’s parents, Sean and Rita Rowan, walk in. “How is she?” Sean asks me.

“She’s okay right now. I don’t know how long that will last, though. Adam tackled her and had her pinned,” I answer.

“Hey, baby,” Rita says, hugging Zeke.