Page 106 of Redeeming the Villain
When I step away from him, he grabs my ankle. “What do you mean?” His voice is raw.
“That video was already given to the president—before we even got here.” I yank my leg from his grasp.
Asher chimes in, “I put word out to my parents about a professional pianist harassing and assaulting students. You’re part of the Hartford Association, right? The elite and private organization for the best pianists in the world?”
Lifting himself up, he slumps against the wall, blood spilling out of his mouth as he nods.
Asher winces. “I’m honored to tell you that you’re not anymore.”
He coughs. “P-please.”
Crouching down next to him, I grab his jaw in my hand, and he screams in pain. “Oh, what a shame. It looks like your pleas don’t mean anything to us. Just like hers meant nothing to you.”
Two policemen walk in the door, and Dean greets them.
I would be nervous about cops walking into this situation, except that we were the ones who called them.
“Whoa, did he get into a car accident?” the older one asks, eyeing Rupert’s injuries.
“Sure did,” I answer him, dropping Rupert’s jaw. Turning back to Mr. Von London, I hold his weakened stare and whisper, “Don’t bother crying wolf. It’s not like they’re going to believe you anyway.”
“Stand up for us.” The cops walk over to him, and I back out of the way.
Rupert struggles to his feet, and the younger cop twists his arms behind his back.
“You are under arrest for sexual assault and false imprisonment. You have the right to remain silent …”
I tune him out as the cop escorts him outside.
The older one stays behind for a moment. “Thank you, boys, for bringing this to our attention. We’ll make sure he is well taken care of.”
Reaching out my hand, I offer to shake it, but when he looks down, he freezes. I follow his gaze, finding my knuckles and hand bloodied.
His lips part as if he wants to say something, but he remains silent.
I mutter, “Thank you.”
He nods and walks out of the house, catching up to the younger cop.
“Hey, Malik?” Asher pats the back of my shoulder as we walk outside. “I promise to never piss you off.”
Chuckling at him, I shake my head. “Too late.”
“You didn’t even need us anyway.” Griffin chuckles.
Looking over at him, I correct him, “That’s where you’re wrong. I didn’t ask you to come so you could help me fight him. I asked you to come so you could pull me off in case I almost killed him.”
“Touché,” Dean mutters.
We get in our cars and head back to Griffin’s, where everyone else’s vehicles are. When we arrive, the Kensingtons get on their bikes and ride away, followed by Finn and Elias in their own vehicles.
“Oh my God, that’s a lot of blood.” Blair gasps when we walk in the front door, her eyes landing on my soaked shirt and splattered skin.
“Don’t worry.” Griffin laughs. “None of it is ours.”
“Does that make it better?” she asks, waving to me to follow her into the kitchen.
Griffin teases her, “So, you’d rather us be hurt than hurt someone else?”
