Page 51 of The Predator

"Hey. You with Drew?"

She sounds breathless. "Yes, I'm at home, waiting for you."

"Good, stay put. Drew, Aries, and Lee, and Bel will be over shortly to keep you company.” It’s a lie, but I can’t let this dick know she might be vulnerable right now.

"What? Why? What’s going on?”

I sigh and meet the sheriff's eyes. "Do me a favor, though, tell Aries I need him to find me the best lawyer in the tri-state area. It seems the Sheriff wants me to accompany him downtown to discuss a couple of things, and I don't talk to cops without legal counsel."

There's a scuffle. "What the hell, Sebastian? What do you mean he’s taking you to jail?"

She's almost screeching in my ear now, but I don't dare let the man sitting across from me see even a lick of the fear I know Ely is feeling right now. “Unfortunately, yes. But stay with them. I'll see you soon, babe. Love you."

She sputters, and I hang up before she can respond, even though I really wanted to hear her say the words back to me.

I lock the screen and slide it into my pocket. "I'll follow you there."

He stands and shoves the chair hard under the table, sending it into my gut. It burns but I don't respond with anger. It’s what he expects, anticipates.

Unhooking his cuffs, he waves them at me. "No, I don't think so. You'll be accompanying me. Just to make sure you get there all right."

Two more uniformed officers walk into the cafe, and I shrug. "Sure, if that's what you want, Sheriff. I'm sure my lawyer will be there before we arrive."

He leans in, and he’s so close I can smell the bourbon on his acrid breath. "Unless you'd like to reconsider where you stand on things?"

"No, I'm good."

Angrily he grabs my wrists, and I resist the urge to slug him in the face.Fucking asshole.

Pain flares up my limbs when he wrenches my arms behind my back, but all I do is flash a grin at the two other officers, who look way more uncomfortable than their boss. Across the cafe a girl stands, her phone in her hand. She’s filming it, I bet. I give her a wink, because in an hour this will be all around campus, and the Sheriff won't have a leg to stand on.

Golden Boy Gets Arrested. Star Oakmount Player Dragged Away in Handcuffs.I can see it in theOakmount Tribune.

In this town, the Oakmount Legacy is supreme, and the Sheriff is about to piss off his own donor base. Good. Better he makes himself look like an asshole than have me do it. With a hand to my back, he shoves me forward, and I stumble, going down to one knee as hard as I can. It's nothing, but I grimace and groan, making it look like it hurts.Image is everything.

Hauling me up by the arms, he drags me out of the cafe, and I let him, limping along the entire way to the car. If he’s going to try and pin something on me I didn’t do, then you can bet your fucking ass I will be returning the favor. Two can play this game.

CHAPTER 15

ELYSE

Idon't know if it's Bel's soothing presence or the fact we are shadowed by Drew's imposing one, but by the time we arrive back at the house, I’m already feeling better. I lead Drew and Bel inside, scanning the foyer and then ducking my head into Seb's study to see if he’s there, but the place is empty.

With a shrug I turn and say,"I'm not sure where he is right now, but I can text him if you want?"

Bel shakes her head, her bouncy hair bobbing around her as she moves. "No. It's fine. I'll see him whenever. Oh, I’ve got an idea. Let’s make him dinner!”

“Dinner?” I try not to look as apprehensive as I feel at the thought of her cooking anything.

Putting her hands on her hips she narrows her eyes at me. “Yes, dinner. What else would we make?”

“That’s not what I meant. I just didn’t know you cooked, that’s all.” I risk a quick glance at Drew, trying to gauge his opinion. He's been around a lot, but I still find him intimidating as hell. Like at any second he's going to go feral and rip me apart. His features are closed off, giving nothing away.

“Excuse me? Of course I know how to cook.” Bel scoffs and marches off towards the kitchen. I follow quickly behind her, with Drew hot on my heels.

“I wasn’t trying to insult you.” I tell her as soon as we reach the kitchen. She’s already elbow deep in the fridge, rifling around. Drew goes to her and stands at her side while I plop down on a stool. "I, myself, am not really a good cook. Not unless you consider microwaving meals cooking." I give a weak laugh.

Bel waves a hand at me, her focus on the fridge and its contents. The housekeeper has been good at keeping the pantry and fridge stocked so I'm certain she’ll find whatever ingredients she needs. I let her be, and after a few minutes of rummaging and piling items into Drew’s arms, she turns to me with a wide smile and declares, “I’m making tacos.”