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Chapter Twenty-Five
Now
It’s just after eight o’clock in the morning when the four of us walk into the police station. I’m surprised that I’m not feeling that nervous, shocked by the strength flowing through me. This is what I need to do.
A young officer looks up from the front desk when we walk through the door. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, I need to speak to a detective.”
Nix gives my hand a squeeze and even I want to smile at the authority in my voice. I’m not taking any shit today.
“About what?”
“I need to file a report against my ex-fiancé.”
The officer looks between Nix and me, focusing on our joined hands, but I remain firm. After a moment, he nods.
“Okay. Follow me.” He turns to lead us further into the station.
“Excuse me, one more thing.”
The officer turns back to me.
“Can you tell me which detective I’ll be talking to today?”
He shakes his head. “I’m not sure. Does it matter?”
“Yes. It can’t be Detective Wheeler.”
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise and he has an interested look on his face. “Why?”
“He’s my ex-fiancé.”
He watches me for a moment before nodding his head. “Okay. I’ll make sure it’s not him.”
“Thank you.”
He nods again and begins leading us through the station to the interrogation rooms. The whole way, I feel nervous, wondering if Ryan can see me or if someone already told him that I’m here. I swear I sense his eyes burning holes into me but I don’t see him anywhere. I do however get a look of surprise from Detective Nelson. My suspicions are raised.
We finally reach the small room with a metal table in the middle, surrounded by four metal chairs.
“Can I get you guys anything to drink?” the officer asks.
I shake my head. “No. Thank you.”
He leaves us alone, shutting the door behind him. My brothers stand in the back of the room, leaning against the wall with their arms crossed over their chests, looking every bit the bodyguards they’ve been playing for the past few months. Nix pulls a chair out for me and I smile up at him as I sit. He slides into the chair next to me and grabs my chair, pulling me closer to him.
“You doing okay, sweetheart?”
“Yeah, I’m all right.”
“You are so strong, baby. You can do this.”
I lean into him and he wraps an arm around my shoulders, giving me a little squeeze. “I love you,” I whisper and he kisses my forehead in response. We’re interrupted by a knock at the door followed by Detective Nelson and someone else I don’t recognize entering the room.
“Miss Harrington, what can we do for you today?” Nelson smirks down at me and I find myself clenching my fist and wishing I could punch him in the face. In that instant, my suspicions are confirmed and I know that I can’t trust him.
I turn and take in the other man who entered the room. He’s older, probably in his mid-thirties, with black hair and brown eyes. I arch a brow and he leans forward, extending his hand.
