Page 98 of Break The Ice

No crime was committed.

Which is a ridiculous argument because he’s a damn stalker. He’s terrorized her. He’s inflicted so much suffering it’s changed her entire life.

I turn away from him and move to the window and stare out of it. Is this the world we live in? Ryann slumps in the seat, staring blindly at the carpet in the reflection of the window. She’s completely checked out, but she warned us this would happen. She used very plain English, with lots of simple words.

I didn’t believe her.

They’re the police, they help people.

But these asses aren’t even worried. They’re just implying it’s in her head and she’s making it up for attention. It’s horrendous.

“The fact is, there’s no suspect and nobody. He hasn’t done anything wrong,” Ferrara says and takes a bite of a biscuit I put down.

I wish I could shove it down his throat and strangle him with it. I turn back around, no longer content to watch this shit show through a reflection.

No wonder Ryann had trouble trusting us.

No wonder she had trouble trusting anyone.

“There has to be something you can do!” I snarl.

“We don’t have the resources-”

“So, you won’t do anything until he injures her or kills her.”

“Or you call us while he’s here so we can catch him,” Brady says and chortles like it’s hilarious.

I nod my head, emphatically pretending I am seriously considering his words. “I see, I see. So, when we do your job for you, then you’ll come out and actually do something about it? Just clarifying.”

The two uniformed betas still, suddenly reading the room.

“I’m sorry that you feel it’s not good enough, but these are the laws that protect everyone.” Brady looks down his nose at me. “Besides, Ryann Smith has a very long history of calling the cops about this so-called stalker, and no one has a shred of evidence he exists. So, if you were to paint a painting here, the only person who seems to be committing a crime is her.”

“Except for all the evidence we just showed you, have you forgotten already?”

Brady shakes his head slightly. “One home intruder does not a stalker make.”

I see red and seethe, but Wren wraps an arm around my waist and leans his head against mine.

“Calm, Callan. We can’t help her if we’re locked up.”

I force myself to keep my mouth shut while they stand up and say their goodbyes, but all my focus turns to her.

With a snarl at Kit, who flinches, I crouch down in front of her and grip her hands.

“Ryann? They’re gone now.”

She blinks slowly, but her face is an expressionless mask. Devoid of emotion and life.

“Fuck!” I curse and spring up, lifting her into my arms and taking her up the stairs and into our bedroom.

I lay her on the bed and get on beside her, wrapping my legs and arms around her. Kit joins me from the other side.

“Wren and Raider have to go to practice, but I’ve armed the alarms and all the motion detectors, and we’re safe,” Kit murmurs.

She wriggles, just a bit, but it’s the first sign of movement in a long time.

“Ryann?”

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