AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Anthony Ashworth, we’re arresting you on suspicion of murder,” one of them starts while they try to drag him off me.
“Get your hands off me,” he demands, trying to shake them off. But he stands no chance. He’s more than outnumbered.
“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”
“You’re a disgrace,” he sneers, glaring down at me, his grip on my shirt iron-clad as the officers overpower him.
He finally releases me, leaving me to crash to the floor as more policemen surround him.
“What are you talking about? Murder? Have you lost your goddamn minds?” he seethes as one of the officer’s cuffs his wrists in front of him.“I haven’t done anything. My son is a liar. He hates me and he’s making shit up.
“Tell them, Theo. Tell them what a liar you are.”
None of them say a word, and it’s more than noticeable that no one in the crowd does either.
I don’t fight for him.
And nor does anyone else.
Not his wife. His daughter. Or any of his so-called friends.
It’s everything and more than I could have asked for.
“You can’t do this. Do you know who I am?” he bellows, continuing to fight against his restraints.
I stay where I am for a few more seconds, unable to look away as I feel my boys step up behind me. I need to see this; I need him to know that it was all me. That I’m the reason his world has been upended.
“You won’t get away with this,” he spits, pure rage etched into his expression.
I step closer, aware of everyone ready to jump in case I do something I’ll regret. “I hope you rot in hell you piece of shit.”
Before he can reply, Dad is dragged off the stage and my friends descend on me.
“What the fuck was that?” Elliot says, his eyes on the officers leading my father from the room.
“That was a long time coming.”
“He killed your mum?” Oak asks, ignoring the show and keeping his eyes on me.
“Yeah. The suicide story was all a cover.”
“Shit,” Reese says, scrubbing his rough jaw.
A shadow falls over us as Christian and Fiona appear. Christian holds his hand out, a determined and accomplished expression on his face.Sliding my hand into his, silence falls around us as my friends learn who I had on my side throughout all of this. I know it’ll hurt that I didn’t confide in any of them about it. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t tempt fate or risk anything going wrong tonight.
“Job well done, I’d say,” Christian finally says as our hands part.
Fiona isn’t so formal with her celebration, and steps forward, pulling me in for a hug.“We’re so proud of you, Theo. If you or Millie need anything, you know where we are.”
“Thank you,” I force out through the lump in my throat. “For everything.”
“You’re family, Theo. All of you,” she says, glancing around our huddle. “Where’s Millie?”
As I scan the room, the softest of smiles pulls at my lips.“She’s with my girl.”
“Your girl?” Oak teases, elbowing me in the ribs.
“Hell yeah,” I say with a grin. “You fuckers coming or what?” I ask, pushing through all of them.
