Page 153 of Wicked Sins

“Don’t you fucking touch me.” The words are out before I can stop them, but when he freezes and then steps away with his hands raised, I’m glad they were said.

Won’t let anyone touch you, ever again.

That’s what Joah whispered into my ears as he led us out of the manor and onto the front lawn. And he’d kept his promise as long as he could. It took three policemen to subdue him. I tried fighting them, but I couldn’t.

They took Joah from me.

Slapped handcuffs around his wrists and dragged him away as he kicked and fought and yelled at them not to touch me, not to fucking dare.

But that was a long time ago.

“Miss Bale?”

I look up at my name and stare at Detective Reed. He’s standing too close, so I lean away. Someone brought me clothes, but they’re a size too big, and the sweater keeps slipping off my shoulder. I tug it up now as he glances behind him and then back at me.

“Do you think you’re able to give me a statement?”

I should set the record straight, but not without something in return. I hitch up my shoulders, attempting a shrug. “Take me to Joah.”

“That…” Reed looks away and frowns hard at the blazing building. “That’s not going to—”

“Then no,” I say.

He squints over at me. “I can take you anywhere else. Can I do that? A hotel, maybe?”

“Will Joah be there?” I know I sound like a stuck record, but if I leave this spot, how will he know where to find me?

Reed lets out a long sigh as he grips his waist. “Let me…let me see what I can do.”

* * *

The hotel room has a jet-tub,but the last thing I want to do is sit in my own filth—and someone else’s.

After carefully maneuvering out of my arm brace, I hit the shower. When the hot water sluices over my injured skin, I have to bite back a gasp. But moments later, that heat soothes away the tension in my muscles.

Reed lied, of course.

He said Joah would be here, but he’s not.

But I think the detective was about one minute away from dragging me kicking and screaming away from the crime scene.

He left me at the reception desk with a uniformed female police officer who still hasn’t said a word to me.

I swore at her when we arrived, and I saw the room was empty, but all she did was drop her gaze and go to stand beside the door like a bouncer.

Now I feel bad about doing that. It’s not her fault Reed’s a fucking liar.

I hesitate before sticking my hands between my legs and washing there. But when I’m done, I’m glad I did. It does something to me when the water running into the shower drain isn’t pink and murky anymore.

“Uh…listen. I didn’t mean—” I’m saying as I step out of the shower in a robe, toweling my hair.

I stop dead.

Joah’s standing in the middle of the living area, hands in fists. Instantly, my eyes track to the doorway, but the policewoman isn’t there anymore.

“What did you—?” I murmur.

He gives me a reluctant smile. “I asked her to wait outside.”

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