All the Money in the World

Chapter 14

Alec arrived at the Glendale police station ready for a fight but the officer who had arrested Katie wasn't looking for one. The men exchanged names and shook hands.

"What is my client being charged with?"

The officer shook his head. "We're not charging her, I was just concerned. She was doing 60 over the limit and when I pulled her over she was crying and her hands were shaking. I couldn't let her go like that."

Smiling, Alec shook the cop's hand again. "That is very kind of you, thank you."

"It's my job," he said stoically. "I can have her car towed anywhere you'd like. I still don't think she should be driving."

"I appreciate it," Alec said as he slid the man his business card. "Leave it in my office's employee lot."

"Will do," the officer waved for Alec to follow him down the hall. "She's just in lock up."

Katie felt herself relax the moment she saw Alec strolling down the hallway toward her. "Thank you."

"You're not being charged," he smirked. "Officer O'Reilly here was just concerned. He said you were very upset."

"I still am," she rushed out of the cell the moment the door opened. "We should talk."

"Come on," Alec rested his arm over her shoulders and led her back down the hall. "We'll head back to my office."

Katie got her things from the officer and went right back with Alec to his office. He offered her a water when they arrived but she helped herself to a glass of bourbon instead.

"Now can you talk?" He asked her as she downed the drink. "Lush."

"Jacob, the fed, he came by today and tried again to get me to believe him but when I said no, again, he just accepted it," she poured herself another drink but Alec snatched it away. "He said someone was pushing him to build a relationship but he knows it's not the right thing."

"How much you want to bet it's Stahl?"

"Uhh my fucking life," she scoffed. "I'd bet my fucking life."

"Think you could talk to him? Maybe turn the tables?"

Her face gave him the answer before she even spoke. "I don't know.  I don't know shit anymore, Alec. Fuck," she hissed, feeling more and more suffocated. "I'm starting to wonder if California was the best move. I have a bitter, petty fed after me for revenge."

"You're thinking it was a bad move or you're thinking of leaving, Kate? Hell, I moved out here for you," he reminded her. "You got Happy and Jax, three thriving businesses, a family, such as it is, that cares for you."

"I'm just so sick of this," she whimpered.

"I know," he gave her shoulder a squeeze. "But how many times have you left now?"

"I don't know, two technically, I guess," she huffed.

"And each time you came back, and stayed, despite the shit storm waiting for you."

"What are you trying to say? That I'm meant to be in Charming?" She asked in a somewhat humorous tone, as if she found the idea comically false.

At a red light he glanced over at her and nodded. "I don't really believe in that but if feels like more than coincidences, doesn't it?"

"I mean, yeah," she shrugged. "I just,"

"You want a kid, you want a ring," he said knowingly. "I know you, I know you always wanted that kind of fairy tale and I always found it funny, to be honest. An escort wanting the classic romance seems unlikely."