Page 110 of Damaged Prince
“How can I help you?”
“Ah, I’m not really sure.” I sigh. “I think my boyfriend was just brought in.”
“Name?”
“Malachi Krane.”
She types away on her computer but shakes her head. “His name isn’t in the system yet. I’ll go check and see if he’s being processed."
“Thanks.”
As she leaves, I grab my phone and call the only person I can think of who can help best in this scenario.
“Delaney, hey. How are you?” James' voice comes through the other side.
“Not so good,” I say, laughing, but there's no humor as I start to cry, unable to hold myself together anymore. “I need you to come down to the police station.”
“What’s wrong?” he asks. “I’ll be right there.”
“I don’t know. I just know Kai was arrested, and Eli is in my car, shutting down. He won’t talk.”
“Fuck. Okay. I’m on my way.”
Hanging up, I stumble my way over to the waiting area. Sitting on one of the hard plastic chairs, I bury my face in my hands and start to sob a little harder.
I hate not knowing what’s going on. Not knowing how I can help. How to fix things.
Not everything can be fixed, Laney. This is the real world.
***
James comes into the station five minutes later. “Delaney!” his worried voice has my head snapping up.
“James.” I run over to him, wrapping myself around his body as he envelops me in a hug. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Shhhh,” James soothes, running a hand up and down my back. “It’s okay. Let me go see what's going on, okay?”
“Okay.” I sniff, letting him go.
James heads over to talk to an officer, and I pace around the room. My nerves are shot, my heart and head are a mess. I feel like I’m going to puke. I don’t like this. I don’t fucking like this at all.
I want to call Logan, but what do I tell him? I don’t have any details right now. But the only other two people whom I can count on, who would be there for me when I needed them to, aren't able to.
Looking out the window, I can see my car from here. Winter and Eli are talking, and I sigh in relief, seeing Eli’s mouth move. At least he’s aware and speaking. I hated seeing him so shut down and defeated.
James makes his way back over to me with a worried look. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”
He sighs, running a hand over his head. “Kai is being charged with aggravated assault. That's all I was able to get out of them.I called my lawyer. He’s on his way here. Don’t worry, Delaney, we will get him out of there.”
James pulls me in for a hug, and I graciously accept it. I didn’t know how much I needed a hug until now.
“Eli,” James’ voice is filled with panic. “What’s wrong? What's going on?”
Stepping out of James’ arms, I turn around to see Eli and Winter.
“Hey, Dad.” He gives his dad a watery smile.
“Eli.” James steps forward and wraps his son up in his arms. Eli breaks down, clinging to his father as deep, heavy sobs wrack his body.
