Cruel Intoxication (Underground Kings 4)

“No, I’m back because—”

We are interrupted when the door opens again. I’m about to curse at them when I see it’s a cop. He takes his hat off and gives Owen a nod. “Owen, how are you doing?” he asks, cordial. Next, his calculating gaze lands on me.

Pity.

Another reason why I didn’t want to talk to him. Owen steps beside me, to guard me or make me feel safe, I don’t know. What I do know is he wants me to do this, so I’ll do it without him. I’ve lived the last few days without him by my side; I can do this one thing.

“You must be Jolie. I’m Officer Howard. It’s a pleasure.” Officer Howard reaches out his hand, and I don’t hesitate to shake it.

“Hi,” I clip, short and not very sweet. “Owen, could you please leave?”

“No.”

“Owen,” I argue.

“I said I’m not going anywhere. You have nothing to prove to me. Don’t be stubborn because you’re mad at me. I want to be here for you.”

Yeah, like you’ve been there for me over the last few days?

I keep my lips shut, not wanting to hurt him, and sit down.

Officer Howard is skeptical as he sits across from us, the couch groaning from his weight. His weapon’s belt is leather and stretches as it rubs against the red cushions. The gun is heavy on his hip, and it’s hard not to stare at it. Something so dangerous, so deadly, but it’s harmless as long as no one pulls the trigger.

Humans are the most dangerous creatures out there.

Officer Howard pulls out his notebook and slides a blue pen out of his breast pocket, opposite of where his badge is placed. “Owen says he found you nude in the woods, Jolie. Is this true?”

“You can skip all the questions, Officer. If you want to know the full story, why don’t you just ask me to start at the beginning?” My tone is less than pleasing. I rub my temples with my fingers and try to calm my annoyance, rage, and fear. I hate diving into this story. It makes me feel weak and useless. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so rude. It isn’t like me. I hate talking about it. It’s still so fresh.” The bravery I’ve felt over the last few days disappears, and my captor’s face flashes before my eyes.

Brown hair.

Brown eyes.

Scar down his cheek.

Yellow teeth and bad breath.

I shiver, feeling the phantom touch of his fingers drifting down my back to spread the cheeks of my ass. Shutting my eyes, I let the sickness pass before looking at Officer Howard again. Tears brim my eyes, and on instinct, I reach to my left and grab Owen’s hand.

My anchor.

“I understand. There are no apologies necessary, Jolie. Before we get started, I do want to say this.” His eyes cut to Owen, and a grim expression marks his face. “There are no missing person reports for anyone named Jolie in the last two years.”

“Told you,” I whisper to Owen, not disappointed or sad. I knew no one would be looking for me. My parents are selfish assholes. They only care about drinking or gambling. They don’t care to make sure rent is paid or the electricity stays on. If anything, Mom will pick up just enough cash by working the corner once a week. Dad doesn’t care. He just wants his beer, porn, and the ability to leave the trailer whenever he wants.

Me?

I was a consequence of a drunken night that neither of them could remember. The day I turned eighteen, I left that no good, piece of shit, run-down trailer, and never looked back.

“I’m sorry. Wait a minute,” Owen says before we get on to the good stuff. “You mean to tell me, this woman, this beautiful, smart, amazing woman has no one looking for her?” Owen shakes his head. “I don’t believe that. I can’t. I refuse.”

“I checked all fifty states, Owen.” Officer Howard taps the notepad with his pen, giving me another look that’s full of pity. He feels bad for me. He doesn’t need to.

“It doesn’t make sense,” Owen utters. “Maybe her parents are behind this. It’s the only thing that fits. Who doesn?

?t want to find their daughter?”

Uh. I never thought of that.