Page 104 of The Love Penalty

Biting my lips together, I look between them. “It could screw up everything. Mick—” I turn to face her. “—you could be kicked out of your apartment.”

Her expression goes dark, her tone is terse with venom as she seethes, “I know. Fucking asshole.” She huffs. “But Ray and I have talked about it, and it’s just an apartment. We’ll find something else.”

“But what about the guys?”

Taking my hand, she gives it a firm squeeze. “They’d walk out of that place in a heartbeat if it means you get the justice you deserve.”

“That’s right.” Caroline nods. “I know this sucks ass. The whole situation is so fucked-up, but Harvey deserves to be reported. And you deserve closure.”

“I’ve got closure,” I murmur, my face puckering into a deep frown.

Caroline gives me a skeptical frown. “Knowing that fuckface is still walking around with zero consequences over what he did to you is closure?”

Snapping my eyes shut with a huff, I shake my head. “I’m just trying to work through this. I need to move on with my life. I need to be with Asher and make something of that. What’s he gonna think if I go and report his cousin?”

“I’m pretty sure Asher’s hating super hard on that crap-weasel right now, so the timing couldn’t be better.” Mick raises her eyebrows. “You’re his woman. And if I know anything about the hockey bros, they will do whatever it takes to keep us safe. They’re very caveman when it comes to this kind of stuff.” Her nose wrinkles like it should bother her, but I think the thing that really bothers her the most is that she loves it.

And if I’m honest, I kind of love it too.

The way Asher’s been holding me the past couple days, the way he checks in and looks at me. He’s so torn up over this whole thing, but he wants to make this right for me. For us.

He can’t lose me.

The way he said that… the look on his face…

My heart expands like it’s inhaling a deep breath. He fills me in ways no one else can.

Caroline’s fingers curl around my arm as she gets my attention. “What happened to you was wrong. And you have the chance to try and make it just a little bit right. I know talking about it is repulsive for you. You don’t want to go back to that night, but…”

“I’m strong enough to do it,” I murmur for her, then run my hand down my ponytail with a sad sigh. “And if I don’t speak up, Harvey might do this to someone else. And even though that’s not my fault…” I shake my head. “It’s gonna eat me alive if I don’t at least try to stop him.”

“That’s right.” Caroline smiles.

“Yes!” Mick punches the air, then jumps up and kisses my cheek. “Come on, hot stuff. Let’s go take this asshole down!”

CHAPTER 47

LEILANI

Grabbing her bag, Mikayla flings it over her shoulder and practically drags me out of the building.

We arrive at the local police station fifteen minutes later—three little stink bombs who didn’t even bother to shower before coming to file this report.

My insides are trembling as I take a seat and wait for an officer to come get us.

Mick rests her hand on my bobbing knee and gives it a squeeze. “Calm down,” she whispers. “You can do this.”

I nod and lightly sniff, then try to smile, but I’m sure what she sees is more of a grimace.

Caroline rests her hand on my lower back and gives it a light rub. Her smile is encouraging, and I soak up some of her bravery, yet still flinch when a tall officer with salt-and-pepper hair and a no-bullshit gaze strides out to greet us.

“Leilani I…Iona?” He struggles with my last name, but I’m already standing, forcing my feet to follow him down the hallway.

Mick and Caroline flank me as my heart rate accelerates until I can hear it thumping between my ears.

“Take a seat.” He points at the chairs opposite his desk, and I sit on the very edge, like my body needs to be ready to bolt if I have to. “I’m Officer McFadden. I’ll be taking your statement today. So, you want to file a report?”

“Yes.” I nod.

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