Page 65 of Colton
I hang up the phone, my hands shaking. The waitress gives me a curious look, but I just nod my thanks and leave, stepping out into the night once more.
The walk to the police station is a blur. Every step feels like a march towards my own doom, but I keep moving, one footin front of the other. When I finally reach the station, I stand outside for a moment, looking up at the imposing brick building.
This is it. The moment of truth.
I take a deep breath and step inside, approaching the desk sergeant. “I need to talk about Xavier Blackwood,” I say, my voice faltering.
The sergeant’s gaze sharpens. His pen hovers over his notepad, skeptical. His silence stretches, forcing me to speak again.
“He’s dangerous. I have evidence.”
He gestures to the plastic chairs with a slow nod. “Wait here.”
I sit down, my heart pounding in my chest. The minutes tick by like hours, each one stretching my nerves tighter. Just when I feel like I can’t take it anymore, a tall, broad-shouldered man approaches me.
“Miss, I’m Detective Martin. You have some information about Xavier Blackwood?”
I stand up, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Yes, I do. But I need protection. Xavier is looking for me, and he’ll stop at nothing to silence me.”
The detective’s expression doesn’t change, but I see a flicker of something in his eyes. Concern, maybe even belief. “Alright, let’s go somewhere private to talk. But I need to know your name before we proceed.”
I hesitate, the alias “Mary” on the tip of my tongue. But something stops me. I’m done hiding, done running. It’s time to face this head-on.
“Luella,” I say, my voice steady. “My name is Luella Watts.”
As I follow Detective Martin to an interview room, I feel a strange sense of calm wash over me. Whatever happens next, at least I’m finally taking a stand. I’m not just a victim, not just a girl on the run.
I’m Luella Watts, and I’m fighting back.
The interview room is stark and cold, a fluorescent light buzzing overhead. Detective Martin gestures for me to sit, taking a seat across from me. He pulls out a notepad and pen, his expression serious.
“Alright, Luella. Let’s start from the beginning. Tell me everything you know about Xavier Blackwood.”
And so, I do. I tell him about my sister, about my father, about the years of abuse and the brutal death of my mother. I tell him about Xavier’s involvement, about the horrors I witnessed in his house. I tell him about Colton, about the twisted relationship we had, about the bunker and my escape.
Detective Martin listens intently, taking notes and only interrupting to clarify a detail or ask a question. When I finish, he looks up from his notepad, his eyes meeting mine. “Luella, this is some serious stuff. We’re going to need more than just your testimony to build a case against Xavier. Do you have any evidence, anything that can corroborate your story?”
I nod, thinking of the emails I drafted earlier. “I have some things written down, dates, names, stuff I remember. And I can show you where the bunker is, where Colton took me. There might be evidence there.”
The detective nods, satisfied. “Good. We’ll start with that. But Luella, you need to understand something. If we move forward with this, you’re going to be in danger. Xavier Blackwood is a powerful man, and he won’t go down without a fight.”
I meet his gaze, unflinching. “I know. But I can’t keep running. I need to face this, whatever the cost.”
Detective Martin studies me for a moment, then nods. “Alright. But we’re going to need to put you in protective custody. At least until we can gather enough evidence to make an arrest.”
I agree, feeling a knot of fear in my stomach—but also, for the first time in a long time, a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I can finally bring Xavier to justice. Maybe I can find some peace.
As the detective starts making arrangements, I sit back in my chair, exhausted but determined. The road ahead will be long and dangerous, but I’m ready to walk it.
For Sophia. For my mother. For every girl who’s ever been a victim of men like Xavier.
Chapter 30
Colton
Asharp pain drills into my head when I try to open my eyes, my entire fucking skull throbbing as I try to move.
What the fuck?
