Page 54 of All My Broken Pieces

A loud clanging noise gets my attention and I blink my eyes open. “Arriana Beckett?” Another one of the uniformed officers calls out.

“That’s me.” I singsong, a grin spreading across my face as I cross the holding cell.

The officer grunts, sliding open the barred door. “You’re free to go.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Catching myself, I roll back my shoulders and saunter out, following behind him after he locks back up the cell.

We round the corner into the main area of the police station and I let out a sigh of relief as I find Andrew waiting for me on the other side of the room. I pass by Scruffy on my way out, throwing him a wink. “Stay freaky, Officer.” His face reddens and he clears his throat as he quickly turns away from me.

Chuckling, I take my personal effects and head toward Andrew. “Hey, Drewbie! I knew you could do it.” I praise, nudging him with my shoulder.

Andrew smirks at me, shaking his head. “You have no idea what I had to do to get you out of here.” Gesturing toward the door, he follows behind me.

Once outside, I spin in a circle and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you.” I whisper, dropping the usual carefree front I put on.

Andrew hesitates before hugging me back. “Anything for you, Ree. You’re family, you know.”

“I know, I just…I wouldn’t have survived in there without her.” I admit, extracting myself from his embrace.

The silence in response is almost deafening.

Taking a step back, I shift my gaze to his face, finding his eyes averted. “What? What is it you’re not telling me?” I demand, growing uneasy at his continued silence.

Gulping, he runs a hand down the back of his head. “The charges were brought from Fallon’s sister, Scarlett Jennings. Something about you breaking her nose?” He finally looks at me, raising an eyebrow.

I snort, shrugging my shoulders. “She insulted my girl.”

Andrew shakes his head, trying to hide his own grin. “Well, those were easy enough to get dropped, but…” My stomach drops at the look on his face. “Your mugshot got flagged. I had to pull in every favor I had and grease a lot of palms to get you released before formal charges were filed because, Arriana, they’ve linked you to the murder.”

Shit.

“Shit.” I mumble, echoing my thought out loud.

“Yeah, shit.” He agrees, gesturing toward his newly acquired truck. “We gotta go, like now.”

I follow behind him without another word, climbing inside the vehicle. Once we’re settled in, I turn toward him. “Now what?”

Shifting the truck into reverse, Andrew glances at me before backing out. “Now we hide you.”

Chapter 25

Fallon

“What do you mean she’s not coming back?” Ava hisses, her voice carrying down the hall. “What are we supposed to tell her?”

I stare down at the book in my lap, reading the words but not understanding a single one.

It took several hours for the hysterics to calm down, and even still the rest of the night I had spent curled up on the couch a second away from tears. Even now, almost twenty-four hours later, I find the overwhelming emotions suffocating.

My only solace had been the hope that Andrew would be able to get her out of whatever trouble Arriana had managed to landherself in. I wasn’t sure how her friend was going to manage that, but apparently he hasconnectionsor something like that.

But the hushed words of my friend dash that hope away.

Setting the book down, I climb off the bed and make my way toward the living space where Ava and Killian are perched in the kitchen. “What’s going on?” My voice is hollow as I ask the question, knowing if I let out even a fraction of the emotions bubbling up, I’ll be a blubbering mess once more.

“Fallon.” Ava breathes, darting around the island to pull me into her arms. “How are you feeling?”

I shrug, glancing over her shoulder to Killian whose gaze remains fixated on his phone. “Fine.” I mumble, pulling out of Ava’s embrace. “Is there something you need to tell me?”

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