“Where are you?”
She tells me she’s in the local holding cell in the police station. I have to get to her before she’s transferred to the county jail. A girl this sweet won’t survive a place like that. She won’t be the only one hurt. It will kill me if something happens to her.
“What’s your name?” My hands are shaking as I wait for her answer.
“Hazel Clarke. Please hurry, Mr. Garret.”
There’s a crack in her voice. I can hear her trying not to cry.
Her vulnerability breaks me. I need to have her in my arms where I know she’s safe.
“Don’t talk to the police no matter what they tell you,” I warn her. “I’m on my way.”
I hang up and head for the door, feeling like the world is on fire and I have to get my girl to safety.
“You’re never going to get married,” Nathalie says in a hopeless tone.
“I will,” I grunt as I open the door and rush out. “To Hazel Clarke.”
“Where is she?” I growl as I storm into the police station.
Cassidy, the officer who works at the front desk lifts an eyebrow as she looks at me. That eyebrow is enough to terrify some of the baddest crooks in the state, but even a fierce woman like Cassidy is not going to stop me from leaving with my girl. I’ll burn the whole fucking station down if I have to. I’d burn the whole world to keep my Hazel safe.
“Hazel Clarke,” I say in a firm tone when I get to the desk. “Bring me to her. Now.”
“I know you’re not coming in here, talking to me like that,” she answers with a menacing stare. “Are you Mr. Garret?”
I stare her down. I’m not going to get anywhere with this tone, so I force out a smile as I keep my shaking hands below the desk.
“Sorry, Cassidy. I’d like to see my client. Hazel Clarke.”
She starts tapping on the keyboard and then lets out a low whistle when she reads the screen.
“What is it?”
She chuckles. “Ten kilos of cocaine. Unregistered firearm. Discharging a firearm in public. Reckless endangerment. Seems like you have your work cut out for you, Mr. Garret.”
I grit my teeth as I add up the charges. She’s facing life in prison or pretty damn close.
A bead of sweat snakes down my back. I didn’t realize it was this bad.
“I need to see her,” I say with a thickness to my voice.
She’s looking at me funny. “Are you okay, Mr. Garret? Do you need to sit down?”
“I just need to get to my girl.”
That eyebrow raises again.
“My client,” I correct. “I need to talk to her.”
“Okay, okay,” she says as she gets up. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’ll have her moved to a consultation room. You can talk with her there.”
I pace around the room for what feels like forever while I wait for someone to call my name. It’s probably ten minutes, but it feels like hours when they finally do.
Adrenaline surges through my veins as I follow a cop down the hall. I feel like I can punch through the concrete walls. I feel like I can float up to the ceiling.
My pulse races as he opens the door.
“Take as long as you need,” he says. “Ring the bell when you’re done.”
“Are there any cameras in there?” I ask before I go in. “Any way for anyone to watch or listen?”
“Nope,” he says, shaking his head. “That’s against the law. Attorney-client consultations are confidential.”
I suck in a breath as I nod to him. I knew that, but I was just checking. I don’t want anyone to see what’s going to happen in this room.
There’s a lightness in my chest when I turn to the crack in the door. I push it open and step in.
The sight before me is the sweetest yet saddest sight I’ve ever seen.
Hazel is sitting at the table, handcuffed to a metal ring in the center of it and wearing an orange jumper. Her eyes are red and puffy like she’s been crying.
My heart goes out to her. It aches to see her like this.
When our eyes meet, I stumble back.
Her beauty stuns me. It annihilates me. I can’t fucking breathe.
She’s perfect. A true angel in the flesh.
Her wavy blonde hair is tied up in a ponytail, contrasting beautifully with her bright blue eyes. They’re locked onto me, brimming with hope and terror and sadness and life.
I want to rush over there and take her into my arms. Protect her. Take away all of her worries. But I can’t move. My feet are glued to the floor as I stare at her in awe.
The door closes loudly behind me. I jump as it yanks me out of my daze.
When I look back, I see her in a whole new light. She’s so small and vulnerable. She needs me in every way.