After her father's tragic passing, Nora Davis is forced behind the scenes, nothing more than a stepping stone for others in their journey to stardom. When an opportunity presents itself, Nora, trapped under her stepmother's heel, takes it as her cha...
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"Nora is in there," Eli muttered to Jackson as they stepped up the driveway.
"We don't know that." Jackson turned to Eli. "I have half a mind to leave you in the car. I don't know if Matthews is dangerous, and you don't have any bodyguards right now except yours truly." Jackson turned to the young officer. "O'Connell, stay with Eli out here, will you?"
"Of course, Sir."
"Jackson—"
Jackson put a big hand on Eli's shoulder. "I get it, I do. Based on what you've told me, Nora's in the thick of things. If it were me and Avery were the one in there, I guarantee you I'd be through those front doors."
Thank Creator he understood. Eli nodded and took half a step towards the door, halting when Jackson's hand tightened over his shoulder. "But," Jackson continued, "you're an untrained civilian right now on police business. We need to do this right, do it by the book, and if nothing else, I need to keep you safe. So stay here with O'Connell. Make sure no one tries to book it out the front door if you have to. I will call you the moment I find her."
Jackson must've seen the look on Eli's face because he repeated, "the moment I find her, Eli."
Jaw tight, Eli stepped back. "Fine. Fine. Go, Jackson. Hurry."
The wait was agony.
Eli had seen police videos. He'd also heard stories from Jackson about the crazy cases, the straight-out-of-a-Sarian-drama cases, and the insanity that was some of the arrests made.
This...this was not any of those.
The bitter winter wind buried itself into the skin on his face as he paced. He had no choice but to wait it out with officer O'Connell at the end of the driveway. To watch Jackson slam his fist on the front door and announce their presence. And then stare as two additional officers in thick, heavy gear passed them with a long black battering ram between them.
He wasn't sure what strings Jackson had had to pull to get a battering ram here, but Eli was grateful. Maybe he'd had Avery tell the Judge that Nora was in danger. With the reveal of Nora being his mate and their connection, although it wasn't solid, tangible evidence other than what was in his own head, the Sarian government had strong laws in place about mates. Things could be wiggled around, especially when it involved abilities and perceived threats against a Sarian civilian. Because even without a judge's order, if the police force felt that someone was in danger, they could intervene.
Eli watched, heart thundering, as Jackson stepped aside and the officers came forward with the battering ram. It took them numerous tries before the doorframe splintered and the door caved inward.
