Page 21 of Christmas Souls

"I don't want her anywhere near that man. What did she tell you?"

"That she's going to plead for him not to press charges."

"He's just going to ask her for something indecent again."

"Is that what happened?" Ben asks.

I look around at the police officers around us. They're all turning a blind eye to my visitors. They know Mitchell is dirty and deserves what he got.

"He told her to become his mistress or else he would send her back to New York to some unsavory characters that she owes money to. At least that's what I understood from all the shit he was spewing back there."

"This is not good, Michael. Sam had an in with the judge when I hit the douchebag during Christmas, but I don't know how things will turn out for you." Ben says.

"Let's all stay positive. All I want to know is how Mandy is doing. Can you call her friend Ana so she can wait with her at the hospital?"

"You got it," Ben says. "Do you need anything else?"

"No, but thanks. Tell mom and dad not to worry."

"That ship has sailed," Danny says while waving goodbye.

Once they're gone, I can't help but feel abandoned, especially by Mandy. I wish I could call her and get her to go home or come here and tell me all the secrets she's been keeping from me. I lie down on the cot and somehow manage to sleep.

I wake up to a cup of coffee being waved in front of my face. It's the Sheriff. I sit up and take the cup from him.

"Good news and bad news. The mayor is awake and is mad as a hornet. Wants to sue all of you Hoffers. In the meantime, though, he's pressing charges. Assault."

I was expecting that. I'll need to get a lawyer. I'm at a loss as to what to do regarding Mandy. I don't want the entire town to find out her secrets. I'll just plead guilty. Do jail time. Will she wait for me? I'm up in my head pondering what to do when in walks the woman herself.

The Sheriff opens the jail cell, and she nods at him before approaching me.

"Can I join you for a minute?" She asks.

I give her a small smile, and she sits down beside me on the cot. She's all bundled up in winter gear, but I feel the warmth of her body when her thigh presses against mine. I lean over and am able to get a sniff of her peaches and vanilla scent.

That was the wrong thing to do. My cock immediately responds. I don't need to be sporting a boner in the middle of a jail cell.

"I couldn't get him to drop the charges. I'm sorry, Michael."

"You have nothing to be sorry about. I knew what I was doing, and I'll accept the punishment."

"Michael…"

"Will you tell me what happened? In your own time, I mean. But will you share it with me?"

"I'm so ashamed, Michael.” She stares down at her feet. “You'll never look at me the same way again."

"Let me worry about that."

I start to take her hand in mine, but I remember I'm in a jail cell. They are already being very lenient, letting Mandy sit here with me. I don't need to push it.

"Did he threaten you again?"

"That's all he seems able to do."

"It's good I'm in this cell. I don't think I could keep myself from beating him up all over again. I've never lost my temper this way in my life. You know me, Mandy, I'm not a violent person."

"I know, Michael."