Page 193 of Fixation

I draw back the curtain, ready to leave.

Bennet’s waiting there, his gaze severe. “Anderson. What happened out there?”

“He kidnapped her.” I stare down at him, my arms tight around Harper. A human shield. “I saved her.”

“He did.” Harper’s eyes flutter open. She’s trying hard for me.

She loves me.

“Are you sure—” he starts.

“Wanted a ransom.” She digs her fingers into my shirt. “I have some money, my parents…own a production company.” Amidst her babbling, she tugs at my shirt. “Anderson. Myparents. If it gets to the news before they hear it from me, they’ll panic. Help me. Call them.”

“I already talked to them.” Technically, she did. I texted them on her behalf about the hostage situation. Promised she was fine at the moment and would be in touch soon. “They’re waiting for your call later.”

“Your family’s lucky to have you, Anderson,” Bennet says, still sounding like he’s struggling to believe I have one.

He wouldn’t be wrong. For the longest time, I didn’t have anyone. Thanks to Harper, I do.

“Thank you.” Harper blinks at me. Both Bennet and I watch her. She has more to say, and neither of us rushes her. “The detectives? I need to talk to them. Before we leave. Please.”

“Our lawyers will handle them,” I quip.

“No.” Her quickened breath sets off something feral in me. I want to take her far away. Somewhere no one else exists but us. Keep her safe so that she can always stare at me with those beautiful eyes. “They’ll think…say…accuse! That word. They’ll charge you. They can’t. You saved me.”

At her conviction, Bennet lets out a relieved sigh.

“Let me talk to them.” She moves her hands, patting them over my shirt. “Where is it? My phone? I have an app that records all my calls. Ours is there too. Tell them to listen to it. Then we’ll go home.”

I don’t love that she’s here instead of in our bed. In fact, I hate it. But if I push too hard, they’ll cuff me.

They won’t let me take her anywhere without hearing our phone call.

“Okay.”

The door bursts open as the two detectives storm in unannounced.

I angle my body to shield her from any accusation they might throw at her.

“Miss Arlington.” The woman in the green blouse rushes to talk first. “We were at your home. We needed to inform you that you’re no longer a suspect in Werner Jade’s case, but no one answered. I had a bad hunch, and oh my God. I’m so sorry that you’re here. There are other detectives outside waiting to talk to both of you. I took the case from them, so don’t worry. We’re going to get the person who did this to you.”

“He’s right here,” I say.

Both detectives zero in on me.

Bennet doesn’t wait for them to arrest me. With Harper’s instructions, he gets her phone and plays the recording of the call between Harper and me.

They listen to it twice. Englewood and Rockdale agree that what I did wasn’t legal. They also agree that I saved her life.

They assure me they won’t arrest me.

“We’ll be in touch,” Englewood warns. “Have your lawyers contact us to schedule an interview.”

I promise I will. Harper’s already asleep, snoring lightly as she curls into my chest.

“I’m taking the next two weeks off.” I’ll need time to help her get better.

After that, I’ll need another day or two for us to be…