Page 34 of Like An Animal
“Why?” Massimo groans, running a frustrated hand down his face.
Xavi takes a deep breath before he says the words that send me into a panic. “They want Jer. They said there was an incident at the house and they were called. I heard a call in on the radio though. They mentioned the coroner’s office dispatching someone to the house.”
The second that he said “the coroner’s”, I flew out of my seat.
The coroner’s.
Medical examiners, as in the people called to pronounce someone dead.
The only person in that house was my woman, my little ghost.
I dart for the door as Xavi gasps. “What are you doing?”
I growl as I look at him. Grabbing him by his shirt, I slam his back against the wall. “The only one in that fucking house is Bron. No one fucking else.” I push away from him and head directly for the garage. I don’t give a fuck about the cops. I need to get back to the house and make sure Bronwyn is okay.
For the love of God, please be okay.
I run straight to my car and jump in before turning it on. My pulse pounds in my throat as I throw the car in reverse and speed down the long driveway. A few cops stand in the middle but as soon as they see me, they jump out of the way before I can hit them.Good idea.
The only life I truly value is in danger. I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone. It’s the only time I’ve broken that rule in the past four years and if I live to regret that decision, I’ll make it everyone else’s problem until I leave this plane of existence.
It’s only a few minutes until I hear the sirens coming up behind me, but I don’t stop until I see the line of cop cars, ambulances, and blacked out vans around the house. Red, white, and blue lights blind me and it becomes hard to breathe as I park as close to the house as I can get. I jump out of the car and run as fast as my feet can carry me toward the door. I slow down when I see an officer leading Bronwyn out the front door, a red blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
Her eyes meet mine and I see a sudden flood of panic wash over her face. “I’m sorry. I had to,” she mouths soundlessly, but confusion bubbles in my brain.
Why is she apologizing? What the fuck happened?
Then, an old man in a dark blue windbreaker rolls out a stretcher with a body bag on top of it.
“Are you Jeremy Borza?”
I snap my head around as a cop walks up to me, his eyes narrowed. I return the look.
“What happened?” I demand through gritted teeth.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He slowly shakes his head. “Turn around. Hands behind your back. You’re under arrest for the murder of David Durst and Katerina Durst.” Then, he pulls out a pair of handcuffs and he holds them up. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. She’s watching, son. Please, don’t make this more traumatizing for her than it already is.”
I don’t know what the fuck is happening or why. All I know is apparently Kathy and David are dead, the cops think I did it, and Bron is involved in that somehow. I don’t fucking care if she framed me. As long as she’s safe, that’s all that really matters, so I put my hands behind my back and let the officer cuff me before guiding me over to a nearby cruiser.
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning. Do you understand your rights as I have explained them to you? Knowing your rights, do you wish to speak to me without an attorney present?”
I don’t say anything. Silence has always been easier anyway. I won’t be locked up for long. It’s just a waiting game.
CHAPTER 14
THE GHOST
Isit in an interrogation room in a corner on the floor, waiting. Hugging the blanket around my body, tears silently fall down my face. I had to do it, consequences be damned.
I know Jeremy will hate me. Hell, the next time he sees me he might kill me, but it’s a chance I had to take. He would understand if he knew the truth, why I had to make it look like he was the one who did it, but it will be better for him in the long run if he doesn’t know. He won’t be worried about me or scared of what the consequences are.
I’m not sad about what I did. I’m heartbroken because I know what I’ve lost.
I lost him.
The only way I’ll survive the fallout is if I lock this away, cut away the connection he has to my heart. I’ll need to do it slowly so it sticks for as long as possible.
I love him, but I can’t anymore.
