Thousands (Dollar 4)

That’s why she’s done this…

I narrowed my eyes, reading between the lines. “Even if I pressed charges, he wouldn’t serve time, would he? He probably wouldn’t even get community service.”

Carlyn scowled with displeasure but nodded. “You’re right. Money talks and good lawyers are expensive, but they usually get the job done.” She lowered her voice. “Meanwhile, you would be the one paying as he would ensure to come after you with every tool available.”

His creative lawyers would spin a good tale while I rotted in a cell with no hope of appealing.

It burned my throat at the injustice, but I nodded slowly. “Fine, I won’t press charges.” My side, where his fist had imbedded itself, twinged as if in argument, but I pressed my elbow into the throb and said with more conviction. “I accept the deal.”

Carlyn smiled sadly. “I know what this means, and I don’t like it, just like you. But at least you’ll be free. Your momentary lapse of judgement won’t be punished, and you’ll live a life without a record. I’ll contact the English embassy and start the process of arranging a new passport for you, so you can go ho—”

“Where the fuck is she?” A roar tumbled through the station, cutting Carlyn off mid word. Our heads whipped to the heavy door cracked open and leading toward the reception area.

Adrenaline whizzed through my veins, panic rearing up, ready to run from such ferocity.

Carlyn marched to the door, her hand flat and ready to slam it shut to block out the domestics of criminals, but she wasn’t fast enough to stop another shout.

“Sir, you can’t just barge in here and—”

“Tasmin Blythe. I expect answers. Now.”

The world stood still.

I recognised that timbre.

I recognised that anger.

That voice…

It was deep and dark and dangerous, thicker than what I was used to, yet…my ears tingled with besotted memory.

My heart scrambled out of its lovesick bandages and cartwheeled.

Elder…

He found me.

Carlyn turned with her hand plastered on the door. Her eyebrow rose as rageful footsteps sounded outside. “Expecting someone?”

My heart stopped its cartwheeling and became a bobble-head, nodding in eager happiness.

Elder had come back for me.

He’d ignored my letter.

He’d been one of the hackers to access my file.

Whoever else had searched for me no longer mattered.

He’s here.

I’m safe.

A scuffle sounded outside, followed by a loud thump. “I know she’s here. Hand her over.” A flutter of paperwork as if someone had swept it off a table. “Now!”

“Sir. Unless you wish to be placed under arrest for abusing a police officer in his own establishment, I suggest you calm down and—”

“She’s here because of me. Get a manager, a captain. Anyone who can fix my mistakes.” The sound of boots stomping painted a mental image of him prowling the reception, glowering like a caged beast.

Carlyn closed the door, locking it quickly. “Tasmin, I need an answer from you. Is that a friend of yours or someone I need to arrest?”

My smile was so wide it hurt it. “You don’t need to arrest him.”

A small injection of worry pricked me. Elder was a murderer and a thief. There was no way he should be in a hundred-mile radius of a cop.

He’d put his own safety and freedom at risk to come and fight for mine.

How the hell did I walk away from him before?

And how the hell would I ever keep my hands off him now?

“So…he’s a friend?” Carlyn crossed her arms. “Sounds pretty aggressive.”

“He’s also gentle.”

My dreamy voice tipped her off. She stiffened, eyeing me closely. “That’s the man who recused you?”

My instincts immediately smothered my joy, and I painted a blank look on my face. “No.” I couldn’t under any circumstance tell them Elder’s name. As much as I liked and respected Carlyn, I would never tell her. If she had his details, who knew if she could pin Alrik and Darryl’s murder to him.

He’d be taken away.

He wouldn’t be mine anymore.

I cocked my chin, daring her to argue with me. “He’s someone else.”

She didn’t buy it. “Someone else, huh?”

“Someone else.”

She rolled her eyes. “And you want to see this someone else?”

Quietness reigned over the station, but the vibrations of Elder’s temper continued to seep through the walls.

How did he return?

Why did he return?

“Am I allowed to see him?” I glanced at the door, wishing I had x-ray vision.

Carlyn planted her hands on her hips. “You’re free to go, Tasmin. Just sign a statement saying you won’t press charges against Harold Medessa, and I’ll give you a copy of his testimony stating the same thing.” She shrugged. “Then you’re free to walk out the front door with whoever you please and do whatever you want.” She shook her head with a small smile. “Within reason, of course. No more purse snatching or illegal business.”

With a short sigh, her face turned serious. “If you go with whoever is out there, then you should arrange to have your medical files sent to your chosen doctor. When you get home, you might want a third opinion on your arthritis and infertility issues—”