Caught in Us (Lost 3)

“They’re in here,” Chase’s voice resounds from the corridor. He and Hazel burst into the room, followed by a police officer. The officer immediately takes Gabe on, putting shackles on his wrists.

Damon hurries to me, wrapping me in his arms.

"Did he—”

"No. If you hadn't arrived, though..." I don't finish the sentence, unwilling to voice those words. I let all his wonderful warmth envelop me, the smell of his skin fill me. I lose myself in him for a few seconds, maybe even minutes, shutting out everything else. I’m still shaking when Hazel pats me on the shoulder lightly, arranging my hair, sniffing silently.

"Hazel, don't cry." I take her hand in mine, squeezing it slightly. "I'm okay. It was just a scare." Both Damon and Hazel stare at me in disbelief. One look at myself reveals why. I hadn't noticed just how ripped apart my dress is. I look like I've been in a life-or-death fight. Behind us, the police officer escorts Gabe out of the room. Gabe recites every profanity he knows, most of them directed at Damon, and some at me. I even hear James's name a few times. Damon fists his hands, his knuckles turning white. I can tell he'd love to retaliate, but he's making an effort to remain by my side. I appreciate it greatly.

"Officer, what are the charges for beating the crap out of a rapist, drug-selling asshole?" Chase inquires.

"Don't worry, young man. He'll get a lot of that in jail. Go to your friends."

“How did you find me?” I ask.

“Damon had us check every room in the house when you didn’t come outside,” Hazel answers.

Chase looks out the door after the police officer and Gabe disappear through it then glances at us over his shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

"Yeah, let's go," I say. Without warning, Damon lifts me in his arms. I rest my head on his chest, playing around the buttons of his shirt with my fingers, trying to block out everything else. It's a challenge, given that the house is full of unhappy drunkards because the party was shut down. Still, I try. I close my eyes and take deep breaths. When he puts me in the safety of my car, I open my eyes again.

“The police officer wants to talk to you,” Damon says.

“Okay.”

The officer comes my way and I talk to him for a while, recounting everything. Then Damon secures my seatbelt and places a kiss on my forehead before shutting the door. Hazel and Chase are right outside the car, Hazel tearing up and Chase wiping her tears away, holding her tightly in his arms. I wave at them, forcing a reassuring smile on my face. Behind them, the mayhem of the busted party doesn't paint a pretty picture.

"What happened?" I inquire once Damon's in the car, too. "How did the police get here?"

"Someone alerted the parents about the party." The engine roars to life, and every muscle in my body unclenches. We're finally leaving this place behind.

"A neighbor?"

"Must have been someone from the party because they also knew about the drugs, so the parents came with the police."

"What will happen to Gabe?" A shiver runs down my spine, gooseflesh forming all over my thighs. I do my best to cover them with my dress.

"He'll go to jail again, but for a few years this time."

"Did you know what happened to his sister?"

His eyes narrow infinitesimally, his hands clasping tighter on the wheel. "I found out right after my return. I met her briefly when I first came to California. She was a sweet girl, but had the misfortune to have Gabe for a brother. When he went to jail, he told his creditors his sister was their guarantee that he'd pay everything."

"What? Why did he do that?"

"Desperation."

"He blamed you and James."

"It's always easier to blame others. You are so strong," he whispers, caressing my cheek. "I’m sorry. This is what I wanted to avoid right from the beginning."

"And you did. Gabe didn't hurt me, and now he'll go to jail for years. There is nothing to worry about anymore."

“I’ll take you to your dorm and take care of you.”

“You’re more hurt than I am.” I jolt as I take in his wrecked knuckles and tender lip. “I’ll take care of you.”

“We’ll take care of each other.”