Page 88 of Claim

“Fuck control. Tell him to stop manhandling her. She isn’t a danger to anyone. He’s three times her size.”

Worry and tears filled her eyes. I had to protect her. This was my woman.

“Mr. Pierce is correct. The district attorney is my personal friend, and I have no problems contacting her about your use of excessive force with Miss Morelli.” Sharpton’s tone garnered no argument.

The shithead holding Sophia released her, and immediately a female officer approached Sophia, taking up position behind her.

Sharpton continued, “What you present is circumstantial. No judge would sign off on a warrant for this.”

With a condescending smirk, another cop handed Sharpton a paper and said, “That isn’t our only evidence. We have a warrant because we found Miss Morelli’s fingerprints in Mr. Randolph’s apartment. She is our prime suspect.”

My stomach dropped, knowing there was no easy way of getting her out of this.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and for the first time since I met her, I’d give anything to wish them away.

“Sophia Donatella Morelli. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” The officer pushed Sophia toward the lockup area and continued to recite Sophia’s Miranda rights. “You have the right to speak to an attorney and to have an attorney present during any questioning.”

I had to find a way to help her. The last time I felt this type of utter helplessness and fear was during my childhood. Back then, I’d been under the thumb of my sick, drunk bastard of a father. Now, the one person who meant everything to me needed me, and I could do nothing to free her from the hell she’d entered.

By claiming her, I made a vow to protect her. But I wasn’t worthy of her.

I failed. My promises meant nothing when all I could do was watch the woman I loved be taken from me.

This wasn’t where she belonged. Not this terrible place. Not with those bastards touching her.

I couldn’t fucking lose her when I’d just found her.

I liked to joke about Lucian being unhinged. When I found whoever killed Randolph and pinned it on my Sophia, they’d understand the true meaning of the word.

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