Page 101 of Savage Beauty

I expected handcuffs and multiple police officers shouting at me in an interrogation room, but I’m sitting in an open area with uniformed officers and regular people. Curious glances fall on me as they come and go. The distant voices in the solemn space sound hushed and blur into background noise.

In the open corridor, one detective asked me questions while another took notes. One officer pressed play on his phone to record the five-minute session where I explained what happened. The officer forced me to repeat myself.

“And you threw the knife? Both times? Just…threw it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You threw the knife?”

“That’s what I said, sir.”

“Right, then.”

The detectives expressed far more fascination with knife throwing than whether I indeed acted in self-defense.

Thomas Edison famously said that until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. I became a vegetarian because of his words. Attempted veganism, but vegan cheese is gross, and I’m so particular about food that a vegan diet simply would not work for me. Ironically, my eating habits don’t matter at all. I am savage. There is no defense. Perhaps I don’t deserve to go to jail under the current system of laws, but deep down, I do not regret my actions. Maybe I should have let Dr. Kallio kill me. But I would never let William hurt Max. I will kill again and again to keep Max safe. Sage used to be the only one, but now Max has joined her in the small circle of those I will kill to protect.

“Are we going to get that rain, do you think?” one officer asks another.

“Nah, Carly said last she saw, the radar shows it’s blowing to the south of us. Might get some sprinkles, but nothing much.”

Max strokes my back, the movement subtle and comforting. As promised, he hasn’t left my side.

“I wish I had a book with me. Something to take my mind off what’s going on around me.”

“One of those romance books?”

He’s teasing me.

“Nothing’s wrong with a good love story.”

I narrow my eyes at him, and he tips my chin up and presses his lips to mine.

Good sensations swarm in my chest. I rest my head against his shoulder and admit, “You’re one of the few people I’ve ever told that I love romance books. Well, you and Sage.”

“I’m honored. Maybe one day we can read one together.” I pull back, wrinkling my nose. I’m not sure about that at all. He grins his sexy grin, and I know if he pushes, I’ll read with him. Or maybe we can listen to an audiobook together.

His phone buzzes, and I absentmindedly read the text.

Ginger

I thought you’d be back by now. Is everything ok?

He thumbs back his response.

Max

Y. Don’t know when I’ll return.

“Who is that?”

“My ex.” His nails lightly scratch over my bra strap. “I told you about her.”

“What does she mean?”

“You know she’s staying at my place, right? She thought I’d be back.”

“She’s waiting on you?”

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