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“I’ll answer every question you have if you vow you won’t go after Aslan.”
“We have to talk to him, Ms Taylor.” The short cop moved closer to me. “If what you say is true, then his story will align with yours and there will be nothing to fear.”
My heart buckled.
If they knew what Aslan had done to Ethan?
If they knew he was here illegally?
He’d be thrown on the first plane back to Turkey and his father waiting to murder him.
I’d already put him in so much danger.
Not just with what happened in my bedroom but what happened on The Fluke.
What if they figure out Ethan’s missing and find his blood all over our boat?
My heart raced sickeningly fast. “I’ll only speak if you call off the chase for him.” I crossed my arms, doing my best to hide my trembles at the thought of all of this blowing up spectacularly in my face.
“We’ll have to talk to him eventually,” the tall cop said softly.
And by then, I’ll have come up with a plan to keep him safe.
Tipping up my nose, I snapped, “But not tonight. Not on Christmas. Tonight is already ruined because of me. All I’m asking is for a chance to fix it.”
The two police looked at one another.
Sirens stopped outside our house.
Someone pounded on the door.
My dad groaned again, slipping from sleep. He winced and smacked his lips, his eyes feathering open. “W-What happened?”
In a daze, Mum went to him.
The taller cop bent over him, pressing a hand on his chest as he tried to sit up. “Easy there. Take your time. Don’t move if anything hurts.”
My dad blinked and groaned, touching the back of his head where I’d struck him. “Ow.” Struggling to sit up again, he grunted as the tall cop kept him down.
“Sir, best not to move. The ambulance is here to—”
“Ambulance?” Dad scoffed. “I don’t need a damn ambulance.” Pushing the officer away, he slowly sat up and reclined against my bed with another wince.
“Jack. Are you...are you okay?” Mum dropped to her haunches, pressing her hand to his forehead.
Dad smiled softly, love blooming in his eyes.
The touching moment broke my heart because I’d caused this disaster. I’d hurt my darling dad because he was hurting my soulmate. And that soulmate was now running through the streets, most likely terrified, hopelessly trying to stay hidden, all while an armada of police was after him.
God, what a mess.
“I’m fine, my love.” Dad cupped Mum’s cheek before his fingers strayed to the back of his head again, tracing where I’d struck. “That’s a decent bump.”
“You might need a scan. Just to make sure nothing’s fractured.” The tall cop stood, his knees popping.
Dad shook his head. “It’s just a bruise, nothing more. I’ve been concussed enough times in my youth from sports to know the headache will go. I’ll be fine.” His eyes danced over the chaos in my room before finally settling on me. “Neri...” The way he said my name wasn’t full of anger like I’d expected but soft with aching betrayal.
I couldn’t stop my shakes this time. Or my guilt. Oceans and oceans of it. “I’m so, so sorry, Dad.”
