Vengeance in Bloom (The Love Unauthorized Series Book 2) Read online

  “When they question you, be vague about the circumstances that led up to this but be completely honest about whatever happened yesterday and today. Don’t give them more than you have to, okay?”

  Teagan nods against my chest, and I hug her tighter.

  My mind runs through all the awful scenarios that could’ve happened to her in the last fifteen or so hours. Time seems to slow while everybody around us moves. A blur of action and drama surrounds me. The police take charge, no longer only shouting orders but also advancing toward us with heavy hands. As if we were the monsters who did all this, Kai and I are thrown into handcuffs and shoved into the backs of separate cruisers. The girls are whisked away and wrapped in blankets. Teagan yells for me and tries to pull away from the hold several cops have on her as they usher her away. It’s hard to see her this upset and scared, but I force myself not to look away from her, trying to fill her with strength and a message that everything will be okay.

  Paisley follows orders quietly with solemn eyes, her sight downward. She looks like she just spent the day in a Stephen King novel, covered head to toe in blood. When I first saw her, I thought it was just dirt, but now, I realize it’s dried blood that covers her skin. She looks rattled but unharmed.

  Teagan and Paisley are separated and swarmed with the bodies of those looking for the story. The same man who was in charge at Paisley’s apartment earlier leads the investigation now by questioning Teagan. She cries and uses her body language to make points. The police listening to her story shake their heads and share looks of disgust. Paisley’s expressions are less exaggerated. Her eyes don’t leave mine while another cop questions her. A stray hair falls in front of her face and she brushes away the long dark strand. She responds and does what’s expected of her, but her blues eyes are focused entirely on me.

  It’s like the first time we ever held each other’s attention. This time, we’re not at a party, and there’s so much more between us. Time. History. Affection. Quiet moments. Moments of heat and passion. Friendship. A bond I can’t believe I even questioned the authenticity of. It’s only in that moment that I remember Braelyn is tied up in my damn car not fifty feet from where we are now. The cops don’t know she’s involved in all this; it should have been the first thing I told the police before they hauled me off to sit alone in this car. Everything moved so fast, and they didn’t leave room for much conversation.

  With my wrists handcuffed behind my back, movement is hard to accomplish, but I do my best. While restrained, about all I can manage is thrashing around in the backseat while calling out to whoever might hear me. The officers look annoyed and do their best to ignore my attempts to gain their attention, but I keep at it, throwing myself against the door to create more of a disturbance, until an officer with a scowl on his face advances toward me. I stop all movement, and he opens the door with a look meant for intimidation. This scrawny guy is anything but menacing in his cute little uniform and shiny shoes.

  “What do you think you’re doing? Calm the hell down before someone pulls out a Taser.” His voice is stern but high-pitched and nasally.

  I imagine he isn’t someone who’s taken seriously in his profession and also guess he wouldn’t have volunteered himself to check on this situation if I weren’t in cuffs.

  “Braelyn Davis is tied up in the front seat of my car. She’s involved in all this and the one you should have locked up in this backseat.”

  “We searched your car while we cased the place. There was no one in your car, and there certainly wasn’t some poor girl tied up, or you can believe we would’ve rescued her already.”

  She’s gone. She’s escaped, and there’s no telling how long of a head start she has or which way she went. These cops won’t start looking for her either until they’re good and ready.

  “She was there. Tied up with a jumper cable. She must’ve freed herself. Send a team to go look for her. You’ll find a lot more answers with her than you will with any of us.”

  The bastard just slams the door in my face.

  Paisley

  Emergency responders poke and prod me, looking for injuries that aren’t there. When they are convinced I haven’t been maimed, the cop leading my inquiry asks me a million questions as an officer to my right writes down everything I say.

  The same is happening maybe fifty feet away, except Teagan has plenty for the EMTs to inspect. Tears stream from her face, and her voice is panicked as she tells them everything that happened. Frustrated and wanting to get out of these woods, I tell the officers everything in a rush with a clipped tone to speed up this process. When I think they are finished, they start over again, asking all the same questions, just phrased slightly differently. This is the fourth time.

  “You’ve asked me the same questions repeatedly. I don’t know what else I can tell you. Yesterday, men came into the house I was staying at. Teagan lives there, too, and we were the only ones home. They wore masks, so I couldn’t see any of their faces. One of the guys knocked me out, and I woke up here. Braelyn Davis was with the guys who were holding me here, but besides her, I didn’t see—”

  “Wait. Did you say Braelyn Davis?”

  I sigh in frustration. I’ve already told them about Braelyn and who she is to me.

  “Yes. Braelyn Davis. She came here, talked some shit, and then left.”

  Something clicks for the officer. He springs into action and confers with the man who has been leading my questioning. Their tones are low, but I catch something about jumper cables and an escape.

  “I want every man who is not needed at this crime scene searching those woods. Find the girl now!” the man of authority orders.

  A large portion of the men standing around get to work as my interrogator turns back to me.

  “Miss James, we’re done here for now, but we need you to come down to the station and file a formal statement.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Going to the station and talking about this all over again is probably the last thing on the planet I want to do. But, if agreeing to it gets me out of here now, I’ll do it.

  I move to stand but then stop.

  Crap.

  I have no idea where the hell I’m even supposed to go once I’m done at the station. Braelyn is probably long gone, so I could go back to the apartment, right? A hotel? Where I really want to be is at Burke’s. In his bed. I’m not sure that option is still there.

  “Can I ride with Teagan? I don’t want her to be alone.”

  “Teagan isn’t going to the station. She needs to be checked out. She’ll be transported to the local hospital.”

  “What about Burke and Kai? What will happen to them from here?”

  “They aren’t under arrest. We need more information to completely clear them though. They’ll be taken down to the station for further questioning.”

  No way. Teagan isn’t going to the hospital without me. She’s hurt, hysterical, and scared. They won’t let Burke be with her, so I will.

  “So, I’ll ride with her to the hospital.”

  “But Miss—”

  “No. I’m going to the hospital with her, or I’ll refuse to cooperate from here on out. She’s been through a lot. Bring paperwork to the hospital or a security detail. Do whatever you need to do because I’m staying with Teagan.”

  The man hems and haws while looking around at the scene surrounding us. He studies Teagan as an ambulance I didn’t notice before prepares to bring her aboard. His eyes return to me, and I can see he’s going to let me ride with her.

  “Okay, you can go with her, but we’ll be close by.”

  That’s all I need to hear. I turn my back to the detective and move to Teagan. I throw my arms around her and hug her tightly, trying to help her fight the tremors racking her body. My heart breaks for the sorrow running through this girl who’s good, vivacious, bubbly, and loving.

  “I’m here. I won’t leave you, Teagan.”

  “Why are Burke and Kai in the back of police cars?”

  “Th
e cops need to talk to them more. I’m sure Burke and Kai will meet us at the hospital. Don’t worry about it for now.”

  Just as the cop cars holding Burke and Kai pull away, fire trucks pull up to take their spots. This whole thing is a mess, and even now, more than twenty minutes after I set it, the fire is still going strong. The man trapped inside surely must be dead. Without an ounce of regret, I look away as the firemen prepare to extinguish my handiwork.

  I grab ahold of Teagan’s hand, and it isn’t long before we’re on our way to the hospital. Teagan lies back while they hook her up to liquids, and my eyes survey the cuts and bruises on her skin. I stay quiet while the EMT asks Teagan questions about her medical history and her health. He’s gentle and unobtrusive with her. He doesn’t ask for details about how she obtained particular injuries but questions her pain levels and carefully looks her over.

  Before long, we arrive at the hospital, and she has to answer another slew of questions from the nurse who admits her.

  Every time someone new comes in the room, I get more anxious. I can see Teagan’s stress level rising. She’s understandably overwhelmed. Her eyes bounce from one person to the next. Her hands grip the sides of the hospital bed she lies in. My fingernails dig into my skin, causing indents to the palm of my hand, while I struggle with the knowledge that I can’t help her.

  We’ve been here for coming up on an hour, and I am desperate for some coffee. I am just not sure if I am desperate enough to face the officer stationed outside the room. After another half hour passes, Teagan finally drifts off to sleep, and I give up the fight against my urges for caffeine.

  The door isn’t even fully opened before the officer stationed outside the door stands to face me. “Paisley James, you need to come with me, please.”

  I nod my head, knowing she’ll be okay for a little while, and walk toward the officer with a less than pleasant look on my face. Once out in the hall, the officer leads me to an empty patient room, closes the door, and then gestures for me to take a seat in a chair in the corner.

  “Paisley, I’m Sergeant Metzger. We need to ask you a few more questions concerning Braelyn Davis, Burke Hensley, and Kai Grant.”

  I remain quiet and wait for his questions.

  “Were you aware Braelyn Davis was working as a prostitute out of the apartment the two of you shared?”

  Crap. Can I get in trouble for more of Braelyn’s stupidity?

  “No. I wasn’t aware until I moved out, and even then, I only heard rumors.”

  I’m not a fan of lying, but this is different. Yeah, maybe I’m a fucking hypocrite, but I’m not going down for Braelyn’s crimes.

  “Are you sure about that answer?” The officer looks at me with suspicion and mistrust.

  Aren’t I the one who was abducted and locked away? Why do I feel like I’m on trial here?

  “Look, Braelyn and I lived a rough life. We grew up in the system, and it was no walk in the park. We lived on the streets as teenagers. We both did what we needed to in order to get to where we are. Braelyn has made some very wrong choices, and recently, it looks like she’s made some even worse ones. That’s all I have to tell you.”

  While sitting on the edge of the hospital bed across from me, Sergeant Metzger leafs through notes and jots things down. His eyes go back and forth from me to the papers, and I want to tell him to get on with it, but I sit and wait.

  “Do you have any idea where Braelyn might have run to?”

  I pretend to think about my answer before shrugging and giving the only answer I can. “No, I don’t have any idea. In the last few months, she’s had an influx of cash and gifts. With Braelyn’s street smarts and what probably was a hefty payday for her, she could be anywhere. She has no ties to anyone or anywhere that I’m aware of.”

  The sergeant looks frustrated, but I don’t care. This whole situation feels wrong. I’m being treated like a suspect.

  “All right, let’s move on. What’s your relationship with Teagan Hensley?”

  “She’s my friend.”

  “And how did the two of you meet?”

  The sergeant continues to shuffle papers around, and the sound rattles my nerves. This conversation feels different from the detective questioning me earlier.

  “At a brothel. We met during orientation. The company provides great benefits, even dental.” It’s no time for jokes, but I can’t help myself.

  “Do you think that’s funny? Your friend is hurt, and you’re covered in someone else’s blood, but you have time for childish humor? We’ll get to your career choices later. Now, please, answer the question.”

  “What do you mean, my career choices?”

  “Miss James, how did you meet Teagan Hensley?”

  For fuck’s sake . . .

  “We saw each other around town a few times. At a party, and she came into the diner where I work once or twice. We hung out one night, and that’s about it. We saw a lot more of each other after that.”

  The room is silent for a few beats before he continues, “I’d say you saw a lot of each other. You ended up staying with her when Braelyn kicked you out. Is that correct?”

  Where’s he going with this?

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Is it not strange that, after knowing someone for such a short time, you were then living in her house?”

  “No disrespect, but I really don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate. The last few months have been anything but normal, and some crazy guys kidnapped me yesterday. I’m not sure why I’m sitting here with you, being questioned like I’m the criminal. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  Finally, Sergeant Metzger sets aside the papers he’s been playing with and gives me his full attention. “Listen, I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I’m going to get to the bottom of it. You all were the victims in this, but I don’t think that’s the whole story. Teagan was reported missing by an anonymous source. The timeline for when she was supposedly taken doesn’t even match up. Evidence of the crime turned up at the station, pointing a finger at your friend Kai. He left right from his holding cell to that old farm. An officer followed him there. The story isn’t exactly holding up.”

  Kai was arrested? These idiots actually thought he’d hurt her?

  “If I were someone whose job it was to protect and serve, I’d be concentrating on finding the person responsible, not interrogating a victim. I’ve told you everything I remember.” I push from my seat and glare at him.

  “You need to calm down, Miss James, and respect the process.”

  I’m seriously at a loss. I don’t even know how to respond to that. I need sleep. I’ve been up for too many hours to count, and I’m drained. I don’t want to deal with this right now.

  “There’s a team investigating. We’re still trying to piece together why you were kidnapped, Paisley. Since the fire likely destroyed any clues inside the house, we don’t have much to go on. I have in my notes here that you’re the one who started the fire. Is there anything you want to tell me about what we might have found inside?”

  I need to think about my responses here.

  “Is he dead?”

  I have to know first. Before anything else.

  “Yes. The remains of a man were found in one of the rooms. Would you like to tell me the how and why now?”

  I don’t want to tell him at all. I don’t like the feeling I have in the pit of my stomach.

  “That man kept Teagan and I locked away for hours. He’s the one who hurt Teagan. I heard him leave the house, so I acted. I busted out of my room and went to go find Teagan. He came back, and when I heard him pull up, I lost it. I was so scared that he would kill us both, and I didn’t know what to do. I grabbed the first thing I could find and knocked him unconscious. I can remember thinking that, if he woke up before we got out, there was no way I would be able to fight him off. Not with how bad Teagan was hurt. So, I dragged him into a room and locked the door.”

  The sergeant stares me down, obviously tryin
g to intimidate me. The only thing I can hope is that he doesn’t ask any more about the damn fire. I knew that the man was in there. Heck, I was glad the man was in there, so he could pay for what he had done to her. The officer didn’t need to know that.

  “You say the man left but then came back. Did you see the man before he left? How can you be sure it was the same man?”

  My frustration grows. “I can’t be sure of anything, Sergeant. Even if it weren’t the same man, whoever he was, he wasn’t coming with any good intentions. That’s all I know.”

  I can’t believe I’m standing here, doing this, when I should be in the other room with Teagan. Time to wrap this up. “Are there any more questions here, or can I go?”

  He returns to his notes. “One more thing, were you prostituting with Braelyn out of your apartment, or did it only begin with Burke when you suddenly became homeless?”

  I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Ever since Braelyn took on her first client, people have assumed my association with her meant we were the same. You are the company you keep, right? Bullshit. Society may perceive it that way, but sometimes, it’s just not true. I thought Braelyn deserved my loyalty. I thought she was my family. I thought I was sticking by my sister. I wasn’t wrong in a way. My side of my beliefs was sincere. I just didn’t know loyalty meant nothing to Braelyn when it came to me. I thought what I was doing was right. I’m ashamed of my naiveté but not of my intentions.

  “I’m not and I have never been a prostitute. I have never taken money from Burke or from anyone else for sex. Just because that’s Braelyn’s deal doesn’t mean it’s mine. Maybe you shouldn’t be so presumptuous. Or maybe you should use those presumptions to find the person who’s responsible for hurting Teagan.”

  I move to leave the room because he said this was the last thing. He has no proof I’m a prostitute because there’s none. So, this conversation is over.

  “Funny because, in my notes here, the officer who questioned Burke said that’s exactly how he described your relationship. You were the girl he paid for sex, and when you were kicked out of your apartment, he took you in, in exchange for your services. Is that not how things went?”