Page 10 of Degradation
There’s so much. I push everything down deep.
‘I don’t want to go with him,’ I say to the officers.
They ignore me completely. It’s like I’m not even speaking.
‘You’re her guardian?’ Officer One asks.
‘That’s my father,’ Shade says smoothly, smiling a little. ‘John Novelle. He’s on a work trip. He asked me to...deal with this.’
Deal with this.
I don’t look at Shade.
‘And this is your...’
‘Sister.Stepsister.’
They glance at each other and the first one nods. ‘Okay. You take her. Make sure she’s not let out by herself around the campus again. It’s dangerous for...girls like her.’
My eyes narrow and I’m barely able to keep my fury in check.
‘Of course, Officer...’ Shade peers at their chests, at name badges I hadn’t noticed. ‘Wilkes and Officer Mullon. I’ll make sure she’s out of your hair for good.’
Shade sets a roll of bills on the table.
‘For your trouble. My father would be appreciative if there’s no record of this little incident.’
They glance at each other and Officer One nods. ‘No problem, Mr. Novelle.’
The money disappears and the paper I wrote my name on is ripped up in front of us.
Shade nods. ‘Thanks for your help, gentlemen.’
I get awkwardly to my feet, practically my whole body screaming in protest.
‘Come on,’ he says almost gently to me.
I stare at the floor and turn around so that they remember that I was cuffed again after I wrote my name.
There’s silence for a beat before I hear Shade.
‘And that was necessary because...’
‘We thought she might be a danger to herself. When we saw on her file...about hercondition. She started showing signs of agitation.’
Lying assholes.
I flinch as a hand brushes against my arm, and I hear them being unlocked. I glance at Shade. He’s staring at the cuffs, and there’s something in his face that makes me think he’s not at all happy. The officers don’t seem to notice, though.
My numb hands finally free, I shake them to try to get the feeling back, rubbing my red wrists when they start to hurt.
I pull down my costume as best I can and Officer Two clocks the move.
‘You should maybe make sure she dresses more appropriately in the future when you let her out of the house.’
I’m done.
I start limping toward the door, feeling Shade at my back.
