Putting on Airs

Chapter 20 Policed Brutality

"I'm sorry to do this to you, but we are going to have to have you recount everything you remember to the lead detectives on that case," Owen tells me gently.

I nod, already knowing I'll have to give testimony to someone that can use the information at some point. I find no joy in today's revelation. This case is already awful without personally knowing the murderers. That I lived with them sets my insides on fire and threatens to make my head explode. 

Hoping to cool my burning temper and take my mind off of the impending visit from law enforcement personnel, I take a bite of Luke's ice cream concoction. Cold and flavorful, the treat does enough to distract me for a few seconds—just long enough for me to rebuild the walls surrounding my heart and mind.

"Sweetie, do you want something else? You don't have to eat that if you don't want to," Kota inquires, gentleness and pity threaded through his voice.

"No, thanks. What I can't eat, North will. Right, North?" I ask through the splutters of the rest of the guys.

Examining North's stony face, I can tell he wants to decline. When I expect his lips, that he's been pressing together, to part and shout a definitive no, he simply nods yes. Noticing my surprise, he leans close and whispers in my ear.

"Anything for you, Sang Baby," his low voice rumbles. My newly constructed walls crumble like centuries-old clay and mortar as his genuine care bombards them.

"No, nononnonono! North, fix it!" Gabe shouts in panic making me jump.

I meet North's dark eyes; the deep pools soften while the crease between his brow becomes pronounced. I blink and feel liquid splash down my cheeks. Oh! Poor Gabe. Silly leaky ducts, always betraying my emotions. I turn to Gabe and smile as well as I can. Feeling a streak of bravery in the face of their concern, I place the next scoop of ice cream in North's mouth, leaving the spoon in place as I slide off his lap. The dish holding the ice cream lands on the coffee table as I shuffle over to Gabe's panicked form.

"Don't worry, Meanie," I whisper and sit sideways on his lap. "I was just thinking that I probably could have gotten North to share his Death By Sugar during the sleepover had I known he'd do anything for me," I wink, and Gabe's concerned face clears into a heart-stopping grin.

"Trouble," Gabe barks and laughs while shaking his head.

I try to get up to retrieve my treat and spoon, but Gabe's strong arm bands around me as he presses his nose into my neck. What is it with these guys and smelling me? Sure, I smell them too, but I'm not that obvious, and they're actually wearing scents to sniff. I know I'm pouting when Victor asks me what's wrong.

"I wanted to get my ice cream," I mumble.

"Too late, Aggele. North ate it all," Silas tells me, then booms his low laughter.

"Traitor!" North growls, then turns fake-innocent eyes to me.

I can't help the smile from forming. I tried to keep up an angry face, but he just looks so much like an overgrown boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. We all laugh until the sound of the doorbell ringing followed by some knocks and another two doorbell rings breaks our revelry.

A glance from Owen has me scooting off Gabe's lap and moving to a free spot beside Sean. Sean whispers reassuring words in my ear while we wait for Owen to bring back whomever is at the door. Kota takes the seat on my other side on the couch and slips his hand into my own. I close my eyes to visualize the walls erecting once more—this time reinforcing them with titanium plating.

When I reopen my eyes, there is an older man, maybe around forty years of age, and a younger woman that could be anywhere between mid-twenties to almost forty years old standing in front of me. They are both watching me curiously, but I keep my calm facade on. I ignore my churning stomach, and regulate my breathing. Only Kota realizes the turmoil I'm feeling. My hand in his becomes cold and sweaty. I tighten my grip a moment before sliding my hand free and folding it with the other upon my lap.