In Custody Novels & Stories

I faced forward and stared at the wire mesh separating me from the front seat. My phone was still in my jacket pocket. The officers hadn't taken it yet. That would happen during processing at the station. For now, it was still mine. I felt it buzz against my ribs. Once. Twice. Three times in rapid succession. Messages arriving. Calls coming in. The entire infrastructure of my life trying to reach me in the moments before I disappeared into custody. Then a fourth buzz. Different from the others. A text message. I couldn't reach the phone with my hands cuffed behind me. But I could feel it there. Could imagine what it might say. Who might be desperate enough to contact me now.

Her eyes brimmed with concern, almost spilling over. But I couldn't wait. Summoning what little strength I had left, I lifted my heavy arm and grabbed her wrist. "Mary… and Brandon…" Each word scraped through my throat like a rusted blade, leaving a burning trail behind. Jane's expression darkened instantly, anger flaring in her eyes. "They've both been taken into custody. They're being held in a special interrogation room at the Bureau under strict guard." She paused, then added, her tone weighted with gravity and a faint trace of grim satisfaction.

She needed him by her side. Bruno spoke with Sondra's parents, believing they had the right to know what was happening with their daughter. "Thank you for informing us. I knew Sondra would end up in trouble sooner or later. We will travel there to see her case, although I don't think there's much we can do. It's clear that she's involved," Bruno said. Emma listened in silence, tears streaming down her face. After all, Sondra was her daughter. Meanwhile, in a prison in Milan, the redhead couldn't believe her luck. She was confined in that prison where the majority of inmates were there due to drug-related issues.

"What happens if we do? Are we prisoners?" "The message says protective custody. You'd have quarters in the palace. Freedom to move in secure areas. But you'd also be expected to cooperate with investigations and follow their rules." "And if we refuse?" I ask. "You can stay here. I'll continue to protect you as long as I'm able." Kael's expression is serious. "But I have to be honest with you both. There are powerful people who want you silenced. You know too much about the omega experimentation programs. Eventually, staying here might not be enough to keep you safe."

Permanent custody restored without challenge. Legally, Catherine was theirs. Dominic worked from home. His former office was now a nursery. Moretti Capital operated remotely; he refused travel. They lived inside structured calm. Not peace. Calm. Because the watcher never stopped. Eleanor’s sentencing took place in a federal courtroom that felt too small for what had happened. Alex and Dominic attended via secure video. They did not bring Catherine into public spaces anymore. Eleanor stood in an orange jumpsuit. Shackled at wrists and ankles. Composed.

“You can’t keep us here.” “Can’t we?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “This is a private facility. Your friend had a terrible accident. He needs rest and recovery. And you… you’re here for emotional support. It’s all very legal.” “This is kidnapping!” “It’s protective custody,” she corrected me smoothly. “Until we can be sure you’re both safe from… whatever delusions you’ve been chasing.” The door across the hallway opened. Alistair Croft stepped out, adjusting his cufflinks on his shirt. He looked calm, perfectly composed. Max followed him out, his head down, his shoulders broad as usual. There was a fresh red mark on his cheek.

"He’s formally entering federal custody as a cooperators' witness." Custody. The word felt like a physical blow to my chest. Marco was sitting in a cold, concrete cell right now, wrists bound in steel, while his mother’s empire burned around him. He had traded twenty years of his life, his freedom, and his future—all to save his son’s life and protect mine. "Valentina..."

"No, but I got his ID." Satisfied with the answer, the man was able to relax on his chair. "Bring that ID here and let's start to investigate the mastermind." "Yes, sir. I'm on my way." The man hung up his phone and rummage on his gallery to stare at Primo's picture. Swiping it to the other one, and to the other. "I'm going to protect you at all cost. Even if it means killing someone who can be a possible harm to you." He mumbled.

"Are on a five minute loop showing empty hallways, courtesy of a very expensive hacker Marcus hired. We have maybe three minutes before they reset. Come on." "Come on where? Catherine, I can't just walk out of here. This is federal prison. Even if we get past the psych ward, there are locked doors, guards, gates " "We're not breaking you out. We're moving you. Different facility. Maximum security protective custody where even corrupt prison staff can't reach you." She handed me a set of scrubs. "Put these on. We need to move now." "This is insane. You'll lose your law license. You'll go to prison yourself."

“Then we will add arson to the list. We'll reopen the fire from four years ago and you'll be held responsible for causing it to manipulate your way into the McClain family.” “You can't do that!! I didn't….” “I don't think you understand what's happening here, but you have no right to tell us what we can or can't do.” Officer Johnson sneered. “I don’t know anything,” I mumbled defeatedly. “I have nothing to confess because I didn’t do it.” “Fine, then we’re done here.” he snapped. Relief flickered in my chest, but it died down instantly when he continued, “You’ll remain in custody until your trial since this is a high profile case and you're clearly a flight ri