Page 108 of Kneeling for Them

He’s obviously alarmed by Trina’s sounds and I try to explain.As soon as I can get the basic story out, he says he’s on his way and hangs up.

“Bastian,” Trina yells.“Please!Tell this goon to let me go.I’ve done nothing wrong!”

“Nothing wrong?”If I wasn’t holding tightly to Ella, I’d probably get in Trina’s face.I’m glad Ella is here to help me remember to be calm.“You tried to push my girlfriend into traffic.I can’t believe you’d try to kill someone over this.”

“My entire livelihood is on the line,” she screams, struggling once to get out of Rick’s grasp.

The police arrive before King reaches us.It’s a whole big thing.Onlookers are staring, and they have been since I caught Ella and Rick grabbed Trina.I try to shield Ella from everyone’s phones that are pointed in our direction.We go to the station and make reports.I’m allowed to check in with King and let him know where we are.He plans to wait for us outside the station.

We don’t see Trina again—she’s under arrest.Ella and Idowant to press charges.

Finally, we’re done.It’s the middle of the night.Ella comes out of a separate room.I hold my arms out and she races to me.Her face is pale and she has dark circles under her eyes.

“Are you okay?”I ask her.

She nods.“Now I am.”

“Kingston’s waiting outside.”

She tugs on my hand.“Let’s go see him.”

Ella

We decide to go to Sebastian’s for the night.Sebastian and Kingston sit on either side of me in the back of Kingston’s car.Being sandwiched between these two men is no hardship, but the way they’re coddling me right now is starting to get on my nerves.Kingston’s holding one of my hands, lightly stroking my knuckles.Sebastian keeps his palm against my thigh, as if he’s trying to anchor me to the seat.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say.

Kingston squeezes my hand gently.“I know.”

“I’m not hurt at all.Not even a scratch.”

“I know,” he says again.

“You guys are acting like I’m going to gopoofand disappear or something.I’m not.I’m fine.”

Sebastian’s voice is low as he says, “Princess, someone just tried to push you into traffic.Forgive us if we’re freaked out at the moment.”

I can see his point, but I don’t want to think about Trina anymore.I just recounted the story over and over at the police station.I’m done.I don’t want to think about it, I don’t want to talk about it.I don’t want to feel like I’m weak.

“You need to know,” I tell him, “that Trina drugged you that night.I don’t know if you listened to the recording I sent you, but she admitted everything.She lied about the assault, paid Alyssa to never talk to you.Alyssa was innocent of it all.”

“I listened to it.”He picks up my free hand and kisses my palm.“You have given me a huge gift, Ella.I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

“All I did was help right a wrong.Anyone would do that.”

“I never thought to investigate the story,” Kingston says in a quiet voice.“I should have, but I didn’t.”

“Everything’s okay now, though, right?”I say.“She can’t hurt you anymore, Sebastian.And you can move on.”

“You’re right,” he says.“I’m going to take my time in figuring out what that looks like.But in every idea of the future that I have, you’re front and center, princess.I hope you’re okay with that.”

Warmth flows through me at his words.“I am definitely okay with that.I love you—both of you.I’m more than okay with being in your vision of the future.”

We’re quiet the rest of the way to Sebastian’s place.Once we’re inside, Sebastian’s new cat comes over for attention and pets.Sebastian feeds him, then returns to the entryway and faces me.“What do you want?Anything you want, we’ll give it to you.”

I reach for Kingston’s hand and tug him over to stand next to Sebastian.I touch Kingston’s whiskery cheek, Sebastian’s bearded one.Then I trail my hands down from their lips, over their chests, and down to their waistbands.My fingers hover over their zippers.

“Are you sure, little one?”Kingston asks.