I don’t.
I remain where I am and take another drag of the cigar.
“I’ll make a long story short.” There’s a smile in her voice. “We can’t prove everything, but we’ve proved something, and you’re finally mine.”
“I told you I wasn’t interested in sleeping with you weeks ago, Miss Poole,” I say. “That fact still remains.”
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Mr. Rochester,” she says. “You tell me.”
There’s a beat of silence, then the metallic snap of handcuffs unfastening.
I don’t have to look to know she’s holding them out like an offer.
I catch the movement just beyond her—two uniformed officers posted at a calculated distance. Close enough to witness. Far enough to suggest this arrest is hers alone.
I know damn well she doesn’t really believe in whatever charges she’s hanging over my head. This moment—the optics, the handoff—is the win she’s been chasing.
I’ll let her have it…
“I didn’t take you for the bondage type,” I say, finally turning around. “Do your colleagues know you were trying to fuck me weeks ago?”
“Edward Rochester.” She glares at me, her voice sharp enough to slice through the night. “You’re under arrest for racketeering and witness tampering. Drop the cigar and put your hands behind your back.”
End of Episode 2
Et tu, Brute?
EPISODE 3
Autumn
My childhood bedroom is now my refuge, and my mattress is the safe place.
My phone is tucked away in my desk drawer—powered off and trapped in a steel case so I won’t be tempted to check it.
I readjust my blankets and roll over, hoping that today will be the day when I might feel well enough to walk outside.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe this ache in my chest isn’t heartbreak but something worse—regret.
“You’re safe now, Autumn,” a familiar voice suddenly whispers. “You’ll be alright for life now.”
I open my eyes to see Kylie sitting on the edge of my bed.
“What’s going on?” I slowly sit up. “How did you even know I was here?”
“I had a feeling,” she says. “I wasn’t sure when you’d come to your senses about him, but I knew you would.”
My heart is still aching—telling me that I’ve made a major mistake, so I can’t agree right now.
“Want to get some breakfast?” I say instead. “I could use a loaded waffle and some coffee.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
She leaves my room, and I flip the covers off my body. Standing, I stretch, but it does little to alleviate the pain in my chest. I’m seconds away from bursting into tears.
Keep it together, Autumn. Keep it together…
I pull on a hoodie and head to the bathroom. I splash my face with cold water and force a smile while brushing my teeth.
