Page 52 of All My Broken Pieces

When her attempts are unsuccessful, Ava releases her hold on me, disappearing and leaving me alone in my sorrow.

I’m alone.

Another sob breaks free at the thought, bringing with it another wave of uncontrollable hysterics.

Strong arms gently slide behind my back and under my legs, lifting me with little effort. I stiffen in Killian’s hold as he strides into the penthouse and deposits me onto the couch. Curling up into a ball, I clutch Arriana’s note to my chest and close my eyes, tears still streaming down my face as I picture her being handcuffed and dragged away.

What did you do?

Chapter 24

Arriana

“So, this is fun.” I chuckle. “You guys ever take these out for a joyride?” I twist my body to indicate the handcuffs on my wrists, wriggling my eyebrows at the rearview mirror.

“Quiet.” The woman officer snaps, keeping her eyes on the road.

I snicker, turning my gaze to the back of the other cop. “Well, Tight Knot, is obviously no fun in bed. What about you, Scruffy? Got a kinky side to ya?” His jaw works as he tries to ignore me, but that’s enough of an answer. “Oh yeah, freaky man you are. You know what the real question is though, Scruffy?” I pause, waiting for him to ask me. When he doesn’t, I sigh heavily. “Thequestion is, are you the big man officer in your role play or are you the prisoner?”

His shoulders tense and Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows at my question. I chuckle, clapping my hands together the best I can with them cuffed behind my back. “Good for you, little role reversal.”

“Enough.” Tight Knot barks, smacking her hand on the divider.

I sigh, slumping back into the bench seat. “Fine, just thought we could make some conversation.”

Neither respond, and the rest of the ride to the police station is silent.

Really, I had an alternate reason behind my attempt at engaging the stiffs in a conversation. Every moment of silence gives my mind the space to replay Fallon dropping to her knees. The sight of her reaching for me helplessly.

My teeth set on edge at the memory, a nearly uncontrollable rage building at the pain of my baby at the hands of these two officers.

The sound of the door yanking open pulls me from my thoughts. “Let’s go.” Scruffy grunts, reaching in and dragging me out by the arm. His grip tightens as he leads me into the station.

I scan the lot, looking for an escape, but come up empty. My shoulders slump as I resign myself to my fate.

You better get me out of this, Andrew.

“So, what are you in for?” I ask, sinking onto the hard bench beside one of the several women sharing the small cell space with me.

She glances at me, her eyes glassy.

“Shit.” I curse, leaping out of the way just in time before chunks spew from her mouth. “Going to go with public intoxication.” I cringe at the smell of vomit, only making this situation that much worse.

Closing my eyes, I try to imagine the scent of roses, clinging to the hope of getting out of here and back to my baby. Despite my efforts to hold onto the promise of freedom, my mind wanders back to another time, another night I had spent locked up in a cell similar to this one.

“I didn’t do anything!” I snap, yanking against the officer’s hold.

He tightens his grip, dragging me down the hall toward the holding cell.

Each step that brings us closer to the confines only serves to fuel my anger. “Come on, man. Just let me go.” He still doesn’t respond, simply unlocking the door and sliding it open just to shove me inside.

“Fucking bullshit.” I grumble, rubbing the sore spot on my arm from his bruising grip. Sighing heavily, I look around the small space for somewhere to wait out the time until I’m released. I spot an empty corner and settle onto the hard bench seat, pulling my feet up to rest my chin on my bent knees.

After several hours of torturous lockup, I hear a familiar voice echo down the hall. “I’m so sorry, Officer. I just don’t know what has gotten into her.”

My teeth set on edge at the sound of my adoptive mother’s apologies. It’s not like she’s a terrible person, but somehow that makes it worse. I wish she was an awful human because it would make hating her that much easier.

“Arriana.” She sighs as her and the cop from earlier come to a stop on the other side of the bars. The door clangs open and I push to my feet, making my way quickly out of the cell.

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