Page 74 of Ruined
“This is assault, your ass is going to jail,” John spat while he tried and failed to break free from Eli’s grip. However, Eli’s gaze remained locked on mine as he pushed John further into the post. More curses filled the air.
A couple of cars pulled up to the curb, a second later Holden and a few uniformed officers stepped on to the porch. “John Hammond?” Holden inquired.
“Yes! Thank goodness you’re here, this man assaulted me—”
“I have a warrant to search the premises,” Holden held up a piece of paper with one hand while motioning for the officers to go inside with the other.
“What the hell is going on here?” John’s eyes flitted between me and Holden.
Eli leaned down, with ice in his tone he said, “You’re under arrest, asshole.”
Holden turned to me and playfully rolled his eyes. “He’s taking my lines now.” Then he walked over to where Eli and John were. “I’ll take it from here.”
A shiny pair of cuffs caught my eye right before they circled John’s wrists. “As he said, you’re under arrest.” Holden pulled John up just as someone from inside the house yelled, “Found it!”
“Found what? I demand to know what’s going on!” I almost laughed at how panicked John sounded. His face turned ashen the moment an officer emerged from his house holding three bags filled with white powder.
The officer addressed Holden, “There’s a lot more in there.”
Eli sidled up next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder while mine banded around his waist. We didn’t say a word while we watched John thoroughly lose it as realization dawned. Maybe there was something wrong with me, because I couldn’t bring myself to feel even an ounce of guilt.
Tilting my head, I peered up at Eli. The love shining in his eyes lighting my entire world. “Let’s go home.” His lips lifted into that smile that always made my heart skip a beat as we turned together and started walking toward the steps.
Behind me, I heard John yell, “This washerdoing. She set me up! The little b—” I didn’t look back to see what had shut him up; I had a suspicion it might’ve been Holden’s fist. I snuggled deeper into Eli’s side as we leisurely strolled down the sidewalk to where he was parked.
Once we reached the truck, he turned to me and stooped so we were at eye level, “You’re one hell of a woman, Zoe Carlisle.”
I leaned forward until our mouths were only a breath apart, “I love you, too, Sheriff.”
