"What's going on? They bring us here and then just leave us?" Sara was utterly baffled and annoyed.
"The Hills applied pressure," Janelle stated flatly. It was an obvious conclusion. Nelson was the Hills heir; he'd been assaulted in Graham City. The Hills wouldn't let it slide.
"So what do we do? They can't just keep us locked up here forever, can they?" Sara's initial excitement had worn off, replaced by genuine fatigue.
"It's fine. I'll get us out soon," Janelle reassured her.
Sara leaned her head on Janelle's shoulder. "Janelle, I'm okay, really. Just asking. Should I call my dad? He can come get us." Sara's father wasn't part of Graham City's elite, but he adored his daughter. If he knew she was detained, he'd move heaven and earth to get them out.
"No need. I have a way."
"Okay."
"Erik, seriously," Sara turned her attention to him, "the way you laid into that scumbag back there? So freaking cool." He clearly liked Janelle a lot, she thought. Why else would he fight for her like that?
"Thanks for the compliment," Erik accepted easily.
"But what about you now? The Hills practically run this city. You hit Nelson; they won't let this go." Sara knew the Hills' nature. Right or wrong didn't matter; Erik had struck Nelson, and they would retaliate.
Erik idly flicked his lighter. Truthfully, he could have had someone come get him the moment they arrived. But he wanted more time with Janelle. Even in a police station.
"Don't worry. If the sky falls, I'm tall enough to hold it up. When the police come, just blame everything on me."
"Now that's a man," Sara said, genuinely impressed. It was a shame his background seemed weak. To stand beside Janelle, he'd need power. Otherwise, no matter how much he liked her, he'd crumble under the Hills' wrath or give up himself.
"Tired?" Erik asked Janelle.
"Tired."
Just then, two officers escorted Westin into the room.
Seeing him, Janelle scoffed.
"Mr. Rovella, we'll wait outside. Take your time," an officer said before leaving.
Once alone, Westin launched in. "Janelle, have you lost your mind? How dare you attack Nelson? I knew you were just like your mother – a complete lunatic! Five years on the border couldn't even suppress the madness in you! Now you've thoroughly pissed off the Hills! Thinking you can stay in Graham City after this? Utter delusion! Regardless, you are my daughter. I don't want to see you rot in jail. Hand over your shares to me, and I'll have you sent back to the border to be with your mother immediately."
Janelle actually laughed, it was so absurd. He was only here for her shares.
"Westin, are you done? Shut up," Janelle cut him off, unable to stomach more.
"Uncle Rovella! Janelle is still your daughter! How can you treat her like this?" Sara was outraged. What kind of father actively schemed against his own child, wishing she'd died on the border?
"Treat her like what? Haven't I been good to her? Staying here, she faced mockery! Going to the border, where no one knew her – wasn't that better?"
"Better? What kind of place is the border? It chews people up and spits out bones! You threw a fifteen-year-old girl, a stunning one at that, into that hellhole! You never intended for her to survive!" Sara's anger boiled over.
"Sara, don't waste your breath on an animal. He doesn't understand human speech." Westin was simply inhuman.
"Janelle! I am your father!" Westin was incensed. Madalyn and Janelle were his shame. He'd dumped them on the border hoping they'd perish there, never to return. He hadn't counted on Janelle surviving.
"Westin, you'll never get my shares. And the ones you hold? I'll take them back, piece by piece." She knew his greatest fear: losing his wealth, becoming a destitute beggar. That would hurt him most.
"Dream on, Janelle! Fine, disregard your own fate! But what about him?" Westin pointed at Erik. "He attacked Nelson because of you!"
Erik's fists had been itching for a while. This man was the little vixen's father? A father like this deserved to be put down. Erik stood up.
Standing nearly six-foot-three, his presence was instantly overwhelming. The sheer intensity radiating from him made Westin swallow hard.
"What are you doing? This is a police station!" Westin blustered. Years of neglecting his fitness meant he was no match for this man.
"I'll give you one more chance," Janelle said coldly, though it was unclear who the offer was for.
Westin snapped. "I don't need any chances from you!" He'd gotten nowhere with his demands; her indifference infuriated him. "Fine! Rot here then!" Seeing Erik move towards him, Westin scrambled out in panic. Savage! A border savage! No power, no connections, just brute force!
Erik's knuckles whitened, fists clenched tight.
Seeing him poised to strike, Janelle stopped him. "This is a police station. Don't cause trouble."
Anyone who knew Erik knew he struck wherever he pleased, rules be damned. Yet, Janelle's quiet words halted him. He grasped her hand. "Alright. I'll listen to you." Like a tamed lion, he became instantly docile.
His large hand enveloping hers made Janelle frown. This man really is a dog. "Let go."
Erik gave her soft hand a brief squeeze before releasing it. "Fine. Now, I'm taking you home." He'd already called Bryan Lorenz, who was on his way.
As if summoned, two officers led Bryan in.
"Erik! What happened? How'd you end up in the slammer?" Bryan asked, having rushed over after Erik's text.
"Skip the questions. Can we leave?"
"All sorted. Who's this?" Bryan's eyes instantly locked onto the stunningly beautiful girl, sensing Erik's unusual interest.
"Your sister-in-law," Erik stated bluntly.
"WHAT?" Bryan's jaw dropped. "Erik! When did you get married? How could I not know? You didn't even invite me? What kind of brother are you?!"
"The future one," Erik clarified.