I had no choice but to get Bella out of there. If I was quick, we could have time to run before the cops arrived. Careful not to cut myself on the glass, I climbed into the house, my gaze darting everywhere as I tried to find Bella.
More glass smashing caught my attention, and I took off down the hallway, following a line of red paint sprayed along every wall. I reached the kitchen, my eyes almost bugging out of my head at finding more paint had been sprayed over every cupboard and counter, and the back door was hanging off its hinges with a panel of glass shattered.
But no sign of Bella.
“Fuck! Bella, we need to go,”I called, pausing to listen for any hint of where she could be.
Silence.
I muttered another curse and followed a line of paint through a different door, which led to a staircase. I sprinted up the stairs, my calf muscles protesting at the sudden burst of energy. More red paint lined the walls, and as I glanced around, trying to establish where in the fuck Bella was, she appeared from a doorway.
“I’ve found his bedroom, T! Come on, let’s fuck the place up.”
“Bella, we have to go. I think the cops are coming,”I bellowed, taking off after her as she disappeared back into the room.
I stopped in my tracks. She’d thrown a lamp against the wardrobe mirror, tiny glass fragments now lying on the threadbare carpet. I spun to see Bella spraying the word‘murderer’again on the wall opposite the bed.
Coming to my senses as the sirens drew nearer, I bolted across the room, grabbing her arm.“Bella! We have to go. Now!”
She twisted, grinning at me, but her smile dropped when tires skidded outside. Releasing her, I crossed to the window, trepidation coursing through me as three cop cars came to a stop outside the house.
“Fuck.”I closed my eyes, regret swimming in my veins before I spun back around.“It’s too late, the cops are here.”
The color drained from Bella’s face, her eyes widening in alarm as if she hadjustrealizedthather actions hadconsequences.“Oh, shit, T. I can’t get caught. My friend won’t help me if I get into trouble.”
Her chest started rising and falling in quick succession, her breath coming out in quick pants. Fuck, the last thing we needed now was for her to have a panic attack. I squeezed my eyes closed, pinching the bridge of my nose, only for them to snap open at the voice of a cop shouting,“Police!”
Not hesitating for a beat, I grabbed Bella again.“Go. Find a way out of here. I’ll distract the cops-”
“No, T! You’ll get caught,”Bella hissed, tears welling in her eyes.
I pulled her into my arms, kissing her forehead.“I’ll sort it,”I replied, pulling back.“Now, go find a way out without getting caught, and ring me when you arrive at your friends.”
Before she could object, I released her and jogged out of the room, heading to the stairs where two cops were coming up.“I’m here,”I said, holding my hands up, resigned to my fate.
I’d never been in a prison cell before, and truthfully, I wasn’t in a rush to be in one again. God only knew how many hours had passed since the cops pounced on me, cuffing my hands behind my back and dragging me out of the house to shove me in a cop car.
I waited with my heart in my mouth as four cops searched the rest of the house, but when they came out to tell their colleagues the place was clear, I breathed a sigh of relief. Bella had gotten away.
But now, I was left to face the music. Honestly, I couldn’t find it in me to care. After everything she’d been through with her dad, Bella deserved an opportunity to start afresh. I could only hopethatmy punishment didn’t ruin my life. However, knowing what I did about McScroodge, I suspected he wouldn’t be happy until I was sentenced to life in prison.
Keys jangling indicated my cell door being opened, and the guard who’d taken my fingerprints earlier appeared.“Come on, Crutchens, let’s go.”
I stood, confused about what would happen next. I had asked for a lawyer, so maybe he was taking me to see one. Convincedthatwas where we were headed, I was somewhat surprised when he opened a door to an interview room, and my dad sat in a chair, his brows furrowed in worry.
“Tristan,”he said, getting to his feet and pulling me into a hug.“Are you okay?”
I patted him on the back.“Yeah, Dad. What are you doing here?”
He pulled back, his concerned features disappearing, replaced by disappointment.“What the hell do you think you were doing? Breaking into Mr. McScroodge’s house?”
I glanced away, hatingthatI’d disappointed him. It was something I’d never experienced before. Shrugging, I sheepishly met his glare.“I dunno, Ijust…I wasn’treallythinking.”
Dad’s shoulders slumped.“The cops think you were with someone. Was it Bella?”
My lips pursed into a thin line. The cops had asked several times if someone was with me, but I’d maintained I’d gone tothe house alone, and I wasn’t going to snitch on Bella now, notevento my dad.“No. It was only me.”
“Tris-”
