When he spins to face me, there’s panic in his eyes. “You have to hide,” he whispers.
I shake my head. “No, I’m not hiding.”
He grabs me by the shoulders and starts pushing me into the parlor room. “Stay in here, and no matter what, don’t come out. Okay?”
“But—”
“No, Ellie. I’m serious. Don’t come out. We can’t both get in trouble.”
That’s when the seriousness of the situation hits me. We’re not supposed to be here.
When I don’t say anything, his eyes widen, waiting for my answer. “Promise me you won’t move.”
“I promise,” I tell him.
The moment he leaves me alone, hidden in the dark parlor, the front door opens and the beam of a flashlight comes through.
“Police,” a male voice calls out. “Anyone in here?”
From where I’m standing I have a perfect view of the foyer.
I watch as Dominic comes out with his arms raised. “Just me,” he calls out.
The officer has his weapon ready to draw. “You armed.”
“No,sir.”
“Are you aware this is private property?
“Yes, sir.”
I gasp and then slap my hand over my mouth.
It never occurred to me that Sullivan Ridge House is private property. I just thought it was in some limbo since it’s right on the border of the vineyard.
The officer holsters his gun.
“What’s your name, son?”
“Dominic Alvarez.”
“Not sure if you’re aware, but trespassing is a misdemeanor. I’m going to have to take you in.”
Dominic says something I can’t make out and then he’s turning.
“Dominic Alvarez, you’re under arrest…”
My heart jumps in my throat, waves of panic crashing over me.
As the officer reads out the Miranda rights, the same ones I’ve heard on TV, Dominic looks right at me.
I don’t think he can see me, but has a pretty good idea where I’m standing, just out of sight. My throat tightens hearing the handcuffs lock, and Dominic shakes his head, silently telling me to keep my promise.
I stand there, frozen, watching as my boyfriend gets arrested.
The officer blows out our candles and moments later, they’re gone, leaving me a shaking mess. I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure what the right response is. The one thing I know for certain, is that I have to save him. I have to do something.
So, I do the only thing I can think of.
