Page 83 of Shattered

“Angel, you remember Detective Black?”

Her face seemed so familiar, but it wasn’t until he said her name did it register where I knew her from. She was the one who took Henley’s and my statements after we were assaulted a while back.

“Yes, of course.” I swallowed hard. “It’s nice to see you again.”

A hint of sympathy crossed her features before she led us down a long hallway. “I’ll be in the room with you––for safety reasons only. You’re running the show, meaning if you change your mind, we leave. Got it?”

“Yup. I got it.”

“Koen, you can wait in here.” She pointed to an unmarked door. “Please try not to break anything.”

“No promises, Shayne,” he grumbled. “Keep her safe.”

Wrapping me in his arms, he hugged me tight to his chest. “So fucking strong.”

I felt the warmth of his stare long after the detective closed the door behind him.

“Fair warning, they’ve been rather vocal since they were brought in and you’ve been their favorite subject.”

“Lovely.”

The envelope still clutched in my hand shook as she turned the knob.

Be the storm.

They sat side by side with one wrist shackled to a metal bar, which was bolted to a long table. Their heads snapped up at the sound of the door opening. There was no mistaking the sneer which crossed my mother’s face when she saw me, though it was my father who decided to spew his vitriol first.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

I ignored him, crossing the space with my head held high, feigning an air of confidence I definitely didnotfeel, even with the detective at my side. The chair scraped noisily against the floor as I pulled it out to sit down. Placing the envelope between us, I tapped my fingers along the edges.

“Are you deaf now as well as stupid? I asked why the fuck you’re here.”

“Whenever you’re ready, Jade,” Detective Black reassured. “Not a second before.”

“I thought we were meeting with our lawyer,” my mother finally chimed in. “Where is he?”

“You mean the lawyer you paid for after you stole property from my house?”

I’d had enough. Part of me hoped they’d feel guilt over their actions for once, but that hope died a quick death with her next words.

“She wasmymother, so by rights, those jewels were mine.” My mother slammed her fist against the table. “You’re the thief. You stole them just like you stole our son. But don’t worry, we’re gonna take him back too.”

A loud bang sounded from behind the mirror hangingon the wall.Koen.I needed to move this along before he burst through the door next.

“The two of you will never get close to him again,” I seethed.

“How are you gonna stop us?” Dad laughed.

“With these.” I opened the envelope, drawing out the stack of papers and slapping them down with a thud I felt in my bones.

“Do you really think a bunch of paper is going to keep me from my boy?” He sat forward, leaning his elbows against the table.

“In the interest of saving time, give Jade the chance to explain what all of this means, since neither one of you has the capacity to understand legal jargon.” Detective Black muttered that last part under her breath.

“What does gardening have to do with anything?”

Oh my God.After her ridiculousness in the courtroom, I wondered exactly how many brain cells my mother had left in her skull. The answer was now as clear as day. Apparently not enough.

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