Page 4 of Stolen Love

I don’t usually need the repetition when I get myself in trouble with the paparazzi. Or on the occasion where my twin and I have proved ourselves to be a little bit of a public nuisance.

These past forty-eight hours seem to have come out of nowhere though. I’ve been questioned around in circles in the hopes that I’ll trip up and say something they can use against me. I’ve been forced to look at violently graphic pictures of my supposed victim while they accuse me. I haven’t slept. I can’t think clearly anymore. Can barely speak coherently. And I keep hearing the buzz of the lights above me and they’re doing my fucking head in. “She’s framing me. I swear. Nicole Hawthorne wants me out of her daughter’s life and she’ll do anything to make that happen.”

“Why would she do that?” The detective sits and crosses his arms over his chest. He has his badge on a chain around his neck.

“To keep control of Ivy.” I lean across the table. Jab the cold metal with my finger. “She tried to put me on a restraining order and announced to the world that I was abusive.”

“Rogue,” Jason warns me. “Seriously. Shut up.”

But it’s not his life that is turned upside down. He’s not the one looking at a lifetime in prison, away from the woman he loves. “How can I protect Ivy from her mother if I’m locked up? I can’t, damn it. That’s the whole reason Nicole is doing this.”

“Or perhaps she’s a worried mother who is just trying to protect her daughter from a dangerous man,” Detective Brody says. “After all, your twin perpetuated practically the same crime on your fiancée’s brother, didn’t he? I know if she was my daughter I would be very concerned about her having a relationship with someone like you.”

I snarl. I’ve tried to keep calm. Tried to keep quiet. “I would never hurt Ivy.”

“But you hurt Mark Anders, didn’t you?” Detective Brody snaps back. “Killed him for the things that he said about her.”

“No.” I huff. “I would never—"

“Your time is officially up, detectives.” Jason stands to his full height. He indicates I should do the same. “We both know that you don’t have the evidence to charge him with anything more than assault. So either you let my client walk, or you can arrest him for the minor assault you do have on video.”

The metal legs of the chair screech on the concrete as the lead detective stands. His partner follows suit.

Both of them stare down at me like I’m scum. Like they wouldn’t mind stepping outside the bounds of their profession and put me in a shallow grave somewhere in the desert.

They’re convinced I’m guilty. Or they’re working for my wife-to-be’s sociopathic mother.

The lead detective sneers as he opens the door for me. “You’re free to go, Mr. Maddox.”

“Come on.” Jason picks up his case and steps into the hallway.

“We’re going to find the evidence, Mr. Maddox,” Detective Brody says as I pass him.

“Great.” My tone is sarcastic. I have no doubt Nicole Hawthorne will make it easy for them to find whatever she’s come up with to use as evidence of my guilt. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“You’re a real smart ass, aren’t you?” The other detective lurches forward like he’s planning to jump me. I don’t flinch, which makes him scowl. “Don’t leave town. We’ll see you real soon.”

“Rogue.” Jason hurries me along.

My fingers start to cramp from stopping myself from forming fists. I give them one last glare before I trail after my lawyer. “Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?”

“You have to admit it doesn’t look good.” Jason stops at the exit to the precinct. Glancing back at me, he takes a breath. “They’re out there in droves.”

“Of course they are.” Vultures. The lot of them. Waiting to catch my downfall on camera so they can sell the images to the highest bidder. They don’t care what the real story is… they’re only interested in the money. Sensationalism sells.

“We can play this one of two ways…” His chest rises and falls stiffly. “Go out there with your head held high and announce your innocence and answer any questions they might ask. Or…”

“Head down. Mouth closed. Your car is around the corner.” I strip out of my suit jacket and put it over my head. Because one question I can’t answer will make me look more guilty than hiding from their cameras at this point. “Do you have shades?”

“When do I not?” He retrieves a pair of aviators from the inside pocket of his jacket and holds them out to me.

“Thanks.” I slip them onto my nose, even though there is no sun.

He opens the door and the media rush in like a wave on sand. They race up the steps to meet us.

“Rogue Maddox…” My name is called by a dozen different people all at the same time.

I don’t pay them any heed. Don’t listen to their questions as I focus on clearing the steps and getting to Jason’s car. The lights flash when he unlocks the vehicle.

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