Page 92 of All My Broken Pieces

“For fuck’s sake.” Andrew grumbles, pulling out his phone and tapping furiously on the screen.

I ignore him as my eyes land on Hudson. “Can-” He takes a deep breath, shifting his eyes between us nervously. “Can I come with you?”

My expression softens, some of the weight on my chest easing at his request. Nodding my head, I gesture for him to join us. “Of course, Egg.” He offers me a small smile as he slips into the elevator.

“I’m coming too.” A deep voice declares, not waiting for an invitation before he hops inside.

Arriana chuckles, looking around at us all. “Looks like we’re having a party after all.” She laughs, her earlier frustration already a distant memory.

The doors finally close and the elevator begins its downward descent. A silence fills the space as we all get lost in our own thoughts.

The hush only lasts a few moments before the other man breaks the silence. “Hey, I’m Cooper.”

“Fallon.” I mumble, assuming the greeting was for me. When I look up, I find his eyes are locked onto someone else. Shifting my gaze, I catch Hudson trying to avoid Cooper’s attention, a blush forming on his neck and face. I cock my head to the side, looking between the two.

Before anyone can say anything else, Andrew curses loudly.

“What is it?” Arriana cranes her neck to try and get a look at his phone screen.

Muttering to himself, Andrew taps on the small screen, swiping up and pinching to zoom in. We all watch him, waitingfor some explanation. After several moments, he glances up, studying each of us closely before ducking his head to peer at his phone once more.

“You’re officially killing me, Andrew.” Arriana whines, stretching onto her tiptoes to tap the side of his face. “And that’s my job.”

He startles at her touch, looking at her with a blank expression before barking a laugh. Her grin widens at his laughter. Reaching over, he ruffles her hair with his hand. “What am I going to do without you, Ree?” A little hint of melancholy slips into his tone at the question.

Arriana waves him off. “Not like you’re gonna have to find out. You’re stuck with me.” Winking at him, she gestures to his phone. “Now, what’s got your panties in a bunch?”

Sighing, he looks over all of us before shifting his gaze back to Arriana. “We’ve got a bit of a problem.” He quirks his eyebrow at the large fabric draping over her frame. “Those might come in handy after all.”

Chapter 45

Arriana

This is starting to get ridiculous.

I sigh and duck my head as Andrew motions for us to stay in the elevator. The oversized sweatshirt hangs awkwardly on my body, severely limiting my mobility. I’m buzzing with the need to fight back, my instincts never having been flight, but I push down the desire.

Andrew pivots toward the police officers standing watch off to the right, striking up a conversation as he goes. “Excuse me.” He calls, drawing their attention to him. Once we’re certain he has them aptly distracted, the four of us stride out of the elevator, careful to appear natural and the least bit suspicious.

Fallon fidgets beside me, her eyes darting toward the uniformed officers and back to the entrance door. I slip my hand in hers, giving her a reassuring smile with a slight squeeze of my fingers. “It’s okay, baby. Just a little further.” She gulps and nods her head, wobbling just the slightest bit from the alcohol and drugs still working their way out of her system.

The reminder has my teeth setting on edge, with it the reality that I could lose her, that I could lose everything.

Nope. Not going to happen. I’m not leaving my baby again, they’ll have to kill me first.

My eyes shift to the two cops currently threatening my future with Fallon.

I’d like to see them try.

My lips curl up at the thought. The buzzing grows more insistent with each step, my mind running through all the possible scenarios.

I inhale calming breath after breath to center my focus. “Almost there.” I whisper, squeezing Fallon’s hand once more. She jerks her head in agreement, worrying her bottom lip. My eyes zero in on the motion, the desire to suck on the abused flesh nearly distracting enough to forget where we are.

The blast of cold air shocks me out of my hyperfixation, returning my attention to the task at hand. I smile widely up at the doorman as we pass by. “Miss Beckett. Miss Huxley.” He greets, inclining his head.

Fallon’s grip tightens on my hand at the sound of her name, her already ashen complexion paling further. We slip outside, pausing momentarily to make sure we’re in the clear.

“Let’s go.” A gruff voice sounds behind us moments before Andrew stomps toward the valet.

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