Noah stands off to my side. He’s a good man, a damn good cop, but he has no tolerance or even faked empathy when it comes to suspects. I think it’s one of the reasons we work so well together.
“Murder is a long way from theft and robbery,” he tells them. The youngest-looking one swallows roughly before he flicks a quick gaze up to Noah. “Longer sentence, too. Armed robbery and murder can get you the death penalty in some states.” They’re all visibly shaken. “Convicts don’t take too kindly to little old ladies being murdered, either.
“The bag, detective.” An officer from SWAT drops it in front of me. I nod my thanks and slowly pull back the zipper.
“Junk food.” I drop the items on the floor. “Soda.” I toss it across the room. “One hundred eighty-seven dollars.” I hand it off to Noah who continues to glare. “And a Glock.”
“Smoking gun,” Noah smirks.
“So, who’s making the deal today? Who’s going to let two hundred bucks send them to Old Smokey?” I meet each of their eyes, and Zach’s gaze hardens. I get the suspicion he might be the ringleader here.
The young guy has tears in his eyes, and I know immediately, he’s the one who will break first. “Officer Collins?” I call to one of the guys standing guard at the doorway. “These two can head back to the station. Detective Brennan and I have this one.” I point to the kid.
“Yes, sir.” The older two perps glare at the kid, but otherwise, don’t say a word to him as they’re taken out of the room.
Standing side by side with Noah, the room is empty except for the three of us, and neither Noah nor I are small men. Together, we cast an intimidating presence, and if the way the kid refuses to look up at us is any indication, it’s working in our favor today.
Chapter 4
Thea
The red light on the microwave in the kitchen continuously blinks three zeros across the screen from the power outage overnight. The blue light on my phone flashes that I have a text message from early this morning.
The sun is creeping up in the sky, and even though I haven’t looked at a clock, I know it’s nearly six. Almost time for Kol to arrive. I need to get up and return the blankets and pillow to the bedroom that I never use. To hide just how messed up I am because I can’t sleep in a damn bed.
It’s time.
Thea.
I can’t get his voice out of my head.
Thea.
Richard screws with my sanity. He stays silent until I feel safe enough that I can close my eyes at night again, and then he comes back. Taunting me.
Thea.
I know this time it’s because of Kol. For the first time since the abuse began, I’ve wanted to confide in someone. Kol’s an officer of the law. He’s bound by rules and regulations to investigate any kind of crime brought before him.
He’s more than a cop, though. Kol is honorable. Kind. Inherently good. He’s the type of man I would want on my side if I were ever to confess my secrets.
Thea.
I can’t, unfortunately. Richard is too powerful. He could ruin Kol, Ember, and Arsen. Their lives. He would take away every wonderful thing they’ve ever accomplished all because they’d want to help me.
I don’t know how to tell Kol that I can’t be anything to him when all I want to do is have his secure arms wrapped around me. I want him to hold me until the fear has been pushed to the back of my mind.
I’ve spent many nights imagining Kol gazing at me the same way Arsen did to Marina a year ago. Their love was so magnetic; I was pulled into their forcefield. It’s why I left before I could tell Ember her recital was beautiful and perfect.
When she told me a week later that her brother and Marina were filing for emergency fostering of Jake, a sweet little boy who entered their life, I wasn’t at all surprised. I was humbled by their generosity. I was envious of the soul-deep connection they shared and were about to grace that lucky child with.
I’m ridiculous for waxing so nostalgic about it, but a love like that doesn’t happen nearly often enough. I can remember a time when my mother loved me like that. The days when we would play in the park because she couldn’t afford cable. Some days she couldn’t even keep the electricity going, but I never doubted her love for me.
I never doubted that our happiness was real. Pure.
Until Richard.
I don’t remember my father. He died before any memories could be forged and cherished. Richard had my mother get rid of everything that reminded us of him when we moved in to his home, so I have nothing.