Page 141 of Released from the Sin Bin

“I’ll come with you.” She nods in agreement.

“No.” Fuck, it kills me to have to leave her again. Even if it’s only for a few hours. “Please, I need you to find Braydon and my mom. She’ll be at Creed’s.” I find a pen and begin writing the address on a page from the closest notebook. “Tell them to lie low. It’s going to be ugly, but I’m done letting him get away with this.”

“Carter–”

“I’ll meet you at the barn.” I throw my sweatshirt on and slip into my shoes before giving Willa another chaste kiss. I’m riding this high, and I’m taking control of my life.

Excited to finish this, I grab the keys on the desk and run up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time.

“It’s a beautiful day, boys,” I shout as I pass the guys through the house, slapping Gentry on the back as I go. “Thanks for letting me borrow your car.”

I have a two second head start before he realizes what I said. That’s two seconds for me to jump the porch and slide into his tiny electric sports car.

The engine purrs like a kitten. A very cute tiny kitten.

“Carter, get out.” Gentry slams his hand on the window. “I’ll drive you to wherever you want to go.” I can’t take that chance.

He jumps back when I put the car in reverse.

“I’ll have her back before midnight,” I yell out the silver of the opening of the window as I back away.

“Carter, where are you going?” Willa shouts with her hands on her head in the middle of our lawn.

Leaving her isn’t easy, but she’ll understand. They all will.

The police station is busier than I remember it being this morning. The front area has a few people anxiously waiting to be helped, and there are several officers coming in and out.

“Did you forget something?” Sargeant Calder glances up at me but turns his attention back to the other officer he was talking to.

I wait until they're done talking, impatiently tapping my leg.

“I need to file a complaint.”

He snorts, holding back a condescending laugh. “I don’t have time for this, kid.”

“This is serious.” I place my shaking hand on the desk between us. “If he can’t come after me, he’ll go after his wife.”

“Who?” Another officer comes out with something for Sergeant Calder to sign.

“Mayor Terrance Pierce.” I glare at the two officers.

“Ah shit,” Sergeant Calder comes around and ushers me to the back. “Get in here before you tell the fucking world.”

“They should all know.” I shake him off, but follow him to his office.

“We know. It’s already been filed.” He slams his door shut. “I’ve been fending off reporters all morning, wanting to know who pulverized the Mayor.”

“How…?” Words don’t form as I try to process this new information.

“I knew he was a drunk and figured he wasn’t the best father, but I had no idea it went this far. Why wouldn’t you say anything all the times you’ve been in that cell?” He takes out a folder from his desk and clicks a pen. “Start from the beginning.”

I tell him everything. Every detail, starting from any memory I have of signs that he hurt Janisa too. He keeps asking why I hadn’t come to him sooner, but he doesn’t get it. It took three weeks of me not stopping home for him to turn on my mom. I selfishly stayed away to seek a euphoria I never felt before. I needed this freedom.

“Your father is being detained,” he tells me after I retell the events of last night. “He’s still in the hospital with some broken bones, but they're minor and he's in police custody.” He closes the folder and locks it in his drawer. “Braydon came by earlier with a statement and videos. Several videos he’s taken over the years and has given to the district attorney. He’s done. There’s too much evidence for him not to be locked up. We’ll get a restraining order just in case.”

“Can I see him first?” My limbs shake with the adrenaline still coursing through me. “I want to see him.”

Sergeant Calder shakes his head.

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