Page 135 of Ruin Me Gently

Keep it together.

The elevator doors opened, and two officers stepped inside. “Silas Graves?”

I nodded once, crossing the space to meet them, every inch of my body locked tight. “That’s me.”

The woman nodded. “I’m Officer Harris. This is Officer Barnes. We’re here regarding the report you filed last night. Would you be able to walk us through what happened?”

I hated how easily the words came out, so flat and clinical like this was just another call, another case. Technically, to them, it was. But to me? This was everything.

My jaw tensed as I gestured toward the kitchen island. “Come in. I’ll explain everything.”

Harris gave a curt nod, stepping further inside, glancing around like she was assessing the space, the situation, me.

Barnes flipped open his notebook. “Let’s start from the beginning.”

The officers sat across from me, their expressions unreadable as I recounted every single detail. From the moment I heard the alarm, to the way I found her—crumpled on the ground, trembling in pain.

The image of her like that was now seared into my mind. Permanently. And it gnawed at me with a rage I had no outlet for.

Officer Barnes glanced down, his gaze catching on my hands. His eyes narrowed slightly. “You are aware that we have video evidence ofeverythingthat happened last night?”

I flexed my fingers against the marble. The bruises were worse now, the skin torn, dried blood cracking at the knuckles. My jaw ticked as I met his gaze. “Yes.”

A slow nod. “I’m glad.”

At least those assholes with their phones out had been useful for one thing—providing proof of what he’d done.

I leaned back slightly. “I already have a lawyer if needed.”

That had been one of the first things I’d done after making sure Lilith was cared for—called my lawyer, just in case.

Most people hadn’t gotten a good look at me that night. The hood had helped with that, shadowing most of my face. Plus, no one cared about the guy doing the hitting, they cared about the guy whodeservedto get hit.

Clark.

Barnes exchanged a glance with Harris before shaking his head. “There’s no need.”

His voicewas even, but there was something in his eyes. A flicker of understanding. Like he knew. Like he’d seen enough cases like this before to know exactly what kind of man Clark was.

“And after the altercation, you brought Miss Whitlock here?”

“Yes.”

“Why not take her to the hospital?”

I expected that question.

“I have a private physician on retainer,” I replied, pulling open the kitchen drawer where the paperwork was already prepared. I slid the crisp medical report across the countertop, the doctor’s name and signature neatly printed at the bottom. “He examined her thoroughly and stitched the wound himself. No concussion. No fractures. There was no evidence of sexual assault, so a rape kit wasn’t needed.”

My voice didn’t waver. My jaw didn’t tighten. But inside, I was seething.

Barnes flipped through the report while Harris studied me, pen tapping lightly against her notepad.

“This was faster,” I added. “More discreet. And it didn’t take up resources in a hospital ER.”

Barnes glanced up from the report. “And this doctor, he’s licensed?”

“Of course.” The snap in my voice was sharper than I meant it to be, so I forced myself to rein it in. “He’s one of the best. I can have him speak with you directly if needed.”

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