Page 19 of Rampage

The officer ignores Reid, his eyes fixed on me. "We've got a missing person report on you, Miss Chambers. Been looking for you for around a year now."

My breath catches in my throat. "I'm nineteen," I manage to say. "I'm not missing."

"That's not what Frank Dawson says." The officer's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "He's been real worried about his foster daughter. Says you took off with some of his valuables."

Reid's entire demeanor changes in an instant. The controlled protectiveness transforms into something darker, more dangerous. His jaw clenches so hard I can see the muscle ticking.

"She didn't take anything," Reid says, his voice dropping to a growl. "And she's a legal adult who chose to leave an abusive situation."

The officer finally looks at Reid, taking in the Grim Sinners vest with a slight curl of his lip. "This doesn't concern you, son."

"The fuck it doesn't." Reid steps forward, towering over the officer. "You're harassing a woman under the Sinners' protection, and based on claims from a known abuser."

The officer's hand shifts closer to his weapon. "I'd watch that tone if I were you."

"And I'd check your facts before coming into Sinner territory making threats," Reid counters, his voice deadly quiet. "Frank Dawson has no legal claim on her. She's an adult with her own life now."

I find my voice, though it shakes slightly. "I didn't steal anything. I left with my own clothes and documents."

The officer looks between us, clearly weighing his options. "Mr. Dawson says differently. Says you took cash and jewelry belonging to his wife."

"That's a lie," I say, anger giving me strength. "He's trying to punish me for leaving."

Reid's arm tightens around me. "Officer, I suggest you contact your department and verify that Miss Chambers is of legal age. Once you do that, you'll understand that there's no missing person case here. Just harassment."

A small crowd has begun to gather, drawn by the police lights and the confrontation. Among them, I spot Deb rushing toward us from the diner, closely followed by Mrs. Winters from the bakery.

The officer's radio crackles, and he speaks into it quickly, his eyes never leaving us. Whatever response he receives makes his expression harden.

"I need you to come with me to the station, Miss Chambers. Just to clear this up." He reaches for my arm.

The sudden movement triggers something primal in me. My vision narrows, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. The world around me blurs as memories flood back—Frank grabbing me, dragging me up the stairs, his fingers digging into my skin hard enough to leave bruises.

"No!" I cry out, stumbling backward, my back hitting the brick wall behind me. "Don't touch me!"

The officer advances, his hand extended. "This doesn't need to be difficult?—"

Reid moves so fast I barely register it. One moment he's beside me, the next he's physically between me and the officer, his frame blocking my view.

"Back off," Reid warns, his voice deadly calm. "You don't put your hands on her."

People have their phones out now, recording the confrontation. The officer's face reddens with anger or embarrassment, I can't tell which.

"You're interfering with police business," he snaps, reaching for his handcuffs.

My heart hammers against my rib cage, the crowd's murmurs becoming a roaring sound in my ears. I can't breathe. I can't think. The panic claws at my throat, threatening to overwhelm me completely.

"She's having a panic attack," Reid says over his shoulder, never taking his eyes off the officer. "And you're making it worse."

Deb pushes through the crowd, her face tight with concern. "What the hell is going on here?"

"This officer claims Lily is a missing person," Reid explains, his body still positioned protectively in front of me. "Says her foster father filed a report."

"That's bullshit," Deb says bluntly. "She's been working for me legally for a year. I have her employment paperwork, tax forms, everything."

The officer hesitates, clearly not expecting witnesses or resistance.

My legs give out and I slide down the wall, hyperventilating now. Reid immediately crouches beside me, his hands on my shoulders.