Page 68 of Racing Hearts
“I’m okay, I’m okay,” she replies, covering my hands. “Shh, I’m okay, I promise.”
Relief makes me slump, but then I look around. “Where’s Evan?”
They share a look, one I don’t like, and my heart skips a beat. “Alice, where the fuck is my boyfriend?”
“He was taken away by the cops,” she whispers.
“What?” I snap, peering into her eyes. “Why?”
“There were two bodies, Alek, hanging here. They were the guys who bothered me. They knew Evan assaulted them, and they took him away. I’m worried. He isn’t going to be blamed for saving me, is he?” Tears flow down her cheeks, and I pull her closer, kissing her head. I try to contain my anger and panic as I comfort her, but my entire focus is on my boy.
“No, it’s okay. It’s probably just routine,” I say, but I look at Tommy, who appears concerned.
“Tommy, I need you to take Alice home, okay? Or to your dorm, or call Lally.” I kiss her head and brush her tears away like I did when she was a kid. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nods, wrapping her arms around herself. “Where are you going?”
“I need to help Evan,” I reply, torn between my duty to my sister and the man I . . . well, him.
“How?” she asks.
“I don’t know, but I have to try.” I point at Tommy again. “Straight home, and call me if anything happens.” Turning, I yank my phone out as I race to my car.
Evan. Arrested. Bodies. The words repeat in my head.
God, pretty boy, please be okay.
“Where the hell have you been?” I snap, pushing away from the police station wall as Bones heads my way, dressed head to toe in a fancy as fuck suit that cost more than my entire house. He’s the only person I could think of. I’d consider him a friend, or at least a sparring partner. He teaches a lot of self-defense classes, but I know he is training to be a lawyer and his dad is one.
“Is he inside?” he asks calmly, appearing smooth and cold as usual.
I nod, clenching my fists. “They won’t let me in or tell me anything, just that it’s an informal chat.”
“Good, that’s good. They can’t charge him or haven’t yet.” He straightens his tie. “Don’t worry, Alek, I’ve got this.”
“Shouldn’t we call your dad or something?” I ask. I mean, he hasn’t passed his exams yet.
“No need, I can handle this. Besides, Evan is one of ours.” I frown at that, and he smiles. “Don’t worry, just wait here.”
I can’t do anything but watch him head inside the station, and then I wait again. Minutes turn into an hour, and then two. I’m about to storm in and drag them out when the door opens. A pale-faced, exhausted Evan comes out after Bones, who looks pissed.
“What the hell took so long?” I demand as I stop before them.
Evan’s eyes widen when he sees me. “Alek?” He frowns. “What are you doing here?”
“He called me.” Bones shrugs. “Just remember what I said, Evan. Ignore them, you told them everything you know. They have nothing on you. Come to me if they bother you again.” He pats Evan’s shoulder before nodding at me and heading back to his car, leaving Evan and me staring at each other.
I cover the distance, but he steps back, and I drop my hands. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just tired, and my head hurts,” he admits as he walks past me. I follow him to the sidewalk where he turns to face me. The distance between us is killing me.
“What happened?” I ask, my hands in my pockets to stop myself from reaching for him, assuring myself he’s okay.
“Those two guys that we beat up . . .” He lowers his voice. “They are dead. I admitted to what happened that night, but I left you out.”
“You didn’t have to?—”
“I wanted to protect you,” he protests. “They questioned me, but they have nothing, so they had to let me go, which they weren’t happy about, and Bones was pissed.” He looks up at me. “I also didn’t mention your name because I was worried.”