Get in the car. Now.

Isabella Monroe 

“What are you waiting for? Get in the car. Now.”

His tone was cold. Sharp. Like we were nothing.

No idea what would happen next. I still couldn’t understand how things had gotten this bad.

Officer Maxwell Joseph stood in front of us while Sofia stayed glued to my side, whining softly, seconds away from crying like a spoiled child.

“Don’t talk to us like that, Officer Joseph. You have no idea who I am.”

The words snapped out of Sofia fast.

Maxwell stepped closer and cuffed her hands hard.

“I’m Officer Maxwell Joseph. And if I could cuff your mouth too, I would. But that’s fine. I’ll deal with you later.”

Then his eyes landed on me, cold and full of silent judgment.

“Look at your friend. At least she knows how to stay quiet.”

The police car door opened.

A loud siren erupted seconds later, sharp enough to make my head pound. Red and blue lights flashed across the street, turning everything terrifyingly real.

Like I had actually killed someone.

Inside the car, Sofia broke down against my shoulder. A second later, her nails dug painfully into my thigh as she leaned closer.

“We’re in serious trouble, Isabella. My dad is going to destroy us.”

My chest tightened instantly.

Sebastian.

Those piercing eyes flashed through my mind. Him seeing me behind bars. Cassandra finding out and tearing me apart afterward.

More than anything, I didn’t want Sebastian seeing me like this.

I looked like a criminal.

Worse — like some cheap girl wearing clothes that showed more skin than dignity.

I wanted him to remember the old version of me.

The good girl.

The one who promised she’d never disappoint him.

A few minutes later, the car stopped outside the station.

The place was packed. Drunk teenagers. Underage kids. Officers moving everywhere while voices echoed through the halls.

Chaos.

Near the officer’s desk, we waited while Sofia got called in first.

Her shouting started almost immediately.

Of course it did.

Maxwell probably pushed every nerve she had.

Then his voice echoed again.

“Isabella.”

A cop behind me helped me up like I was already guilty.

The second I stepped inside, my body froze.

Sofia was bent over the desk.

Something inside me snapped immediately.

It looked wrong. Too close. Too intimate.

“Are you harassing my friend? Get away from her or we’ll file a harassment report, you asshole.”

“How old are you? You don’t look like minors. What were you doing in that illegal place? Drugs? Were you using anything?”

His tone came out harsh and aggressive.

Unlike Sofia, I stayed calm.

“Of course not. We don’t use drugs. My parents just don’t let me go to clubs, that’s all.”

A loud slam shook the desk.

“You still haven’t answered me. How old are you?”

Sofia swallowed hard.

“I’m twenty-one.”

A short nod followed before his attention shifted toward me.

“And you?”

Lifting my chin slightly, I answered quietly.

“Twenty-two.”

From beneath his leather jacket, he pulled the gun slightly into view and set it casually on the desk.

“We didn’t find anything on you. But we’ll make sure after medical tests.”

Before he could continue, the door opened.

A blonde woman walked in.

Blue eyes. Sharp features. Early thirties, maybe. Jeans, black shirt, white coat.

A doctor.

“Sofia?”

The woman froze instantly.

Sofia’s face lost all color.

“Sarah?”

Confused, my gaze moved between them.

“What happened? Why are you at the police station this late?”

Before Sofia could answer, Maxwell cut in.

“Dr. Sarah, we need blood samples from these two. Suspected drug use. Possibly illegal substances.”

Disgust crossed Sofia’s face.

“Excuse me? What are you implying?”

“Stay quiet, little girl. The smell of alcohol coming off you is already annoying enough.”

“Annoying,” she muttered under her breath.

Sarah glanced at me before looking back at Sofia.

“Who is this? And does Sebastian know you’re here?”

“This is Isabella. I told you about her before.”

A sigh escaped her.

“My dad doesn’t know. He thinks I’m staying at her place tonight.”

Then her eyes settled on me again, recognition finally appearing.

“Oh… right. The orphan. Your childhood friend.”

Sofia didn’t deny it.

“Officer Joseph, Sofia isn’t the type to do something like this. And her father, Dr. Sebastian Hawthorne… things won’t be easy if he finds out.”

Maxwell’s entire expression shifted.

“Sebastian Hawthorne? The forensic psychiatrist… is your father?”

Sofia lifted her chin proudly.

“Yes.”

Sarah smiled faintly before adding,

“And her friend Isabella isn’t like that either.”

My throat tightened.

“Please… don’t tell Mr. Sebastian about me.”

Sofia tried stopping me, but it was already too late.

Maxwell grabbed the phone and made the call.

Sebastian.

After hanging up, his eyes moved toward us again.

“He’s coming. He sounded calm, but I know him. He’s not.”

Sofia rolled her eyes before looking at me.

“How could he not know, Isabella? He’s like your father too. He should know. He’ll help you.”

My gaze dropped toward Sarah.

“I don’t want that. I can handle my own problems.”

“Take her to cell number seven.”

Sofia shot to her feet immediately.

“I’m going with her. I won’t leave her alone.”

A small shake of my head followed.

“I’m fine, Sofia. I can handle it.”

---

Thirty minutes later, cold metal pressed beneath me inside the cell.

Darkness swallowed the room.

The place felt like hell.

Arms wrapped around myself, trying to hold onto some warmth.

“You really look like a criminal.”

A long breath escaped my lips.

Then came footsteps.

Slow.

Heavy.

Familiar.

His scent reached me first.

That same scent.

The one that always messed with my head.

“Isabella.”

My name left his mouth softly. Tired. Low.

Sebastian crouched in front of me, both hands resting carefully against my bare knees.

“My little one.”

The sound of it made my heart shake for reasons I couldn’t explain.

Maybe it was his voice.

Or the way he said it.

“Mr. Sebastian… I’m sorry. I disappointed you.”

His fingers wrapped around my hand.

Then I noticed it.

A slight tremble before touching me.

Was he… afraid?

“No. You didn’t do anything.”

Before I could stop myself, my hand covered his gently.

Soft. Careful.

Innocent.

Still, his body reacted immediately.

The tension. The shift. The movement in his throat.

Everything gave him away.

“I feel trapped here. It’s dark. Cold. Scary.”

Almost too quickly, he pulled his hands back like he needed distance.

Then his jacket came off and settled around my shoulders.

“Do you feel warmer now?”

His scent surrounded me instantly.

God, it drove me crazy.

Part of me wanted to lean into him. Hold him.

Instead, I forced myself to stay still.

“Yes… a lot.”

Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.

Without thinking, my head rested against his chest.

Then the crying started.

Quiet at first.

Like a child finally breaking apart.

Looking up at him shakily, my voice cracked.

“I’m so tired… I feel like my future ended tonight.”

“Shh.”

Barely a whisper.

Still, it silenced me instantly.

“You won’t spend another night here. I promise.”

Embarrassment crept in after realizing how close we were. Pulling away quickly, I wiped my nose while his expression stayed calm.

“I almost killed her… Mr. Sebastian.”

Carefully, he lowered my hand.

“You didn’t. Look at the bright side.”

Shock hit me instantly.

I expected anger.

Disgust.

Not this.

Not softness.

My fingers tightened around his jacket without realizing it.

He noticed.

“I’ll bring you a blanket. And warm clothes. Where are your house keys?”

“With the police. Even my motorcycle… will they take it?”

A soft smile appeared on his face.

Dangerous somehow.

“No. You’ll get everything back.”

A slow nod followed.

“I won’t waste time getting your keys. I’ll bring you clothes from Sofia’s closet.”

Then he leaned closer.

Soft lips pressed against my forehead.

And just like that, he was gone.

Taking something with him.

Something inside me I didn’t know how to fix.