Page 71 of Because of Liam

“Help. Oh, thank God you guys are here. Get this lunatic off my back. He just attacked me and he’s holding me against my will.”

It’s like he was coached before. He is saying all the right words to make it look and sound like he’s the victim.

Logan lets go of him and the two officers pull Jon up by the elbows, hands still zip tied behind his back. Is he going to fucking cry? He’s making a sad face at the cops.

One of the cops picks up Jon’s pants off the floor with gloved hands.

The other asks, “ Are these yours?”

“Yes, can I put them on, please? This is embarrassing. I was just here trying to have some alone time with my girlfriend when these two crazy guys barged in and attacked me.”

“Did they hit you?”

“No, but—”

“Did they have any weapons on them?”

“No—”

“Did they hurt you in any way? Are there any marks on your body?”

“No, they just pushed me to the floor and zip-tied my hands together.”

“There was no attack then, wouldn’t you agree?”

The officer doesn’t wait for an answer and looks at his partner, who’s going thru the jeans’ pockets. He pulls out a wallet from the back pocket and opens it, reading the driver’s license. “Is this yours?” he asks, showing Jon his ID.

“Yes. Can you untie me now?” An edge of irritation coats Jon’s voice. He’s still thinking he can get away with this.

Out of the other back pocket comes a three-pack of condoms. I shudder and Skye, now behind Liam, visibly shakes. I notice for the first time a female officer next to Skye. I’m so enthralled with what’s happening with Jon, I never even noticed the addition of the she-cop.

Everything coming out of Jon’s pants goes into a brown paper bag.

The cop moves to the front pocket and Jon visibly blanches and tries to lunge at him, but both Logan and cop number one stop him. Cop number one yanks him back a lot harder. I catch the worry on Logan’s face before it goes blank again. I know he’s dying to get to Skye because his eyes go to her every few seconds and when they do, the expression on his face betrays him. It’s pain and love and regret. Hers is fear and determination. I’m so proud of Skye. She has always been one to avoid any kind of confrontation, always the peacemaker. But not today. Today she’s a fucking tigress.

Out of the pocket comes a little bag with a whitish powder. And then, another. And another. Three bags total. I’m betting that’s what he put in Skye’s drink. Jon’s little special formula. Jackpot! That seems to be enough for the cops. Cop number two puts the three little bags in another brown bag and Jon’s pants and shoes in yet another bigger bag. Then, they start to read him his rights.

“You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future—”

Jon is putting up a fight now. He’s calling to Skye and trying to get her to tell the police he’s innocent.

The two male cops leave the room, dragging Jon with them and a moment later, I can hear Jon’s shouts and the cop who’s still reading him his rights as they walk past Liam’s bedroom door.

My eyes go back to the monitor.

Logan steps closer to Skye, but the female cop puts a hand up to stop him. She looks at Skye, a clear question in her face.

“Is this okay?”

Skye nods and goes to Logan and as soon as his arms are around her, she falls apart. Tears come in waves, sobs following soon after. Logan pulls her into him tight, his arms on her back and tangled in her hair and even though he’s whispering, in the silence of the room I can hear him repeat again and again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”

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