Page 117 of Retaliation

The city blurred past, a whirl of concrete and steel, but her mind was laser-focused on her anger.

They came to a stop at a traffic light. The silence in the car heavy, filled with hostility. She glanced at the light, then at Jenkins, who seemed lost in his thoughts, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

“Light’s green. You can go now,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jenkins snapped out of his daze, glaring at her in the rearview mirror.

“Shut up,” he growled, pressing the gas pedal.

Her lips curled into a smirk. “Touchy, aren’t we?”

He didn’t respond, but she could see the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders stiffened. It was a small victory, but she savored it, needing any bit of control she

could grasp.

They pulled into the station’s lot, the gray building casting a long shadow in the morning sunlight. Jenkins got out and yanked open her door, dragging her out.

“Welcome to your new home, Princess,” he sneered.

She met his gaze, her eyes hard. “It’s Queen to you,” she said, her voice low and menacing.

He chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. “We’ll see about that.”

Jenkins marched her into the precinct, his grip bruising her arm. He shoved her into a chair at a desk, turning to a nearby officer.

“Newbie, book her,” he ordered, clutching his nose.

Poison looked up, her heart skipping a beat. Standing there, just as surprised as she was, was Gavin. They stared at each other, the world narrowing down to just the two of them.

“Gavin,” she breathed, shock and amusement flooding her.

“Minke,” he replied in a whisper. The confusion and disbelief in his eyes mirrored her own.

Jenkins noticed the exchange, his eyes narrowing. “You know her?”

Gavin snapped back to attention, his expression hardening. “Yes, I do. I’ll handle this.”

Jenkins grunted but didn’t move away, his eyes lingering on her.

Gavin began pulling out papers on a desk but stopped when he noticed the blood on Jenkins’ nose and laughed.

“Was that you?” he asked her, amusement lighting up his eyes.

She straightened in her chair. “Yeah, that was me.”

Gavin shook his head, chuckling. “You never cease to surprise, do you?”

“Nope,” she replied with a smile. She was so happy to see Gavin again, despite the current circumstances.

Jenkins glared at both of them. “You think this is funny? She assaulted an officer!”

The murmurs in the precinct grew louder. One officer called out, “Jenkins, you’re a known prick. She probably did us all a favor!”

Another added, “Give her a medal, not cuffs!”

Jenkins’ face turned a deep shade of red, but Gavin stepped in, unlocking the handcuffs from Poison’s wrists.

“She acted in self-defense, Jenkins. Look at you—you’re bleeding. Clearly, you were the aggressor.” He winked at her, a small, reassuring gesture.

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