Page 295 of These Tears

‘I need protection,’ I say.

Cromwell’s smile does not move, but his eyes narrow slightly with false amusement. ‘From whom?’

I let my fingers tighten around the strap of Brute’s harness. Just enough for it to look like nerves.

‘Elias Crane.’

The name echoes in the cavernous space.

He studies me intently, then leans back as if I have delivered myself into his claws, gift-wrapped.

‘I was under the impression Mr Crane was the reason you disappeared in the first place.’

My heart stutters behind my ears, and I start weighing whether my statement from yesterday has already reached him, or if he’s fishing.

‘He was.’

‘I’m not sure I understand.’

I let a humourless breath escape.

His brow lifts faintly.

Careful, Leah.

Lowering my gaze for half a second, I make my heart fall into a calm rhythm, but I try my best to make it look like I’m softening the words. ‘He took me from England without my consent. Kept my phone and documents and held me isolated for months. Then he left me to come back and play a martyr.’ I look up again. ‘You were right. He is dangerous.’

Cromwell’s gaze moves over my face in a slow, clinical sweep.

‘Ms Nottingham, do I look like the charitable type?’ he asks.

I don’t answer.

‘You have spent months trying to set him free. Now you arrive offering things to keep him imprisoned. Why should I believe the change of heart?’

I lift my chin and put on my best offended grimace.

‘Because he destroyed my life and my account could keep him in custody.’

He blinks once, dark eyes adopting a damning sheen as his fingers start tapping against the desk.

We stare each other down until he gestures towards the chair opposite him.

‘I’ll stand,’ I say.

His eyes zero in on Brute and track the lettering across his harness.

I watch him deciding what kind of a man leaves a woman needing an animal trained to keep her upright; what kind of fear sends her to the enemy’s door because it feels safer than going home.

For once, I need the fear out in the open.

‘What exactly do you expect to happen here, Ms Nottingham?’

The silence drags on long enough to make it look as if the words don’t come easily to me.

‘If I give a statement against Elias, I believe you can prevent him from reaching me.’

I hold my breath. Squeeze the harness.