Page 80 of Loving the Tormentor

"No." I look back at Nyx. "Don't worry."

"Sir, I'm going to ask politely one more time. Let go of her."

"Where’s Detective Kross when we need him?" I snap. "Call him. Tell him Achilles Duval is asking politelyonly onceto call off this bullshit arrest."

"She's being detained, not arrested."

"I know where that kind of shit leads. She's staying right here." I get in his personal space, knowing full-well the perfect time to use my privilege is to protect someone who has none. "Let her go."

"This whole investigation is under Detective Kross. You'll have to call him yourself if you want more information. In the meantime, she's coming with us."

"I did it," I snap. "Whatever, arrest me."

"Did what?" she hisses at me.

I let her go to offer them my wrists, not a care in the world, but my stupid mistake gets her taken away anyway.

"Achilles," she whimpers.

In less than twenty-four hours, I’m forced to hear the kind of fear Ihateto hear from Nyx. A dangerous chill runs down my spine. I’m the one who scares her, and in the best way only. That kind of despair? It’s not safe for anyone around.

"I just told you I did it."

Why the fuck is nobody listening to me today? It's rather irritating. I’m losing my patience as I follow them to the car.

They force her to sit, slamming the door, and her anxious eyes find me through the window.

"Hey." I hit his window with my palm. "I did it!"

The cop shrugs. "I don't know what you're talking about. You can follow us to the station if you wish."

In the car, Nyx hits the headrest with the back of her head. I hear Chris and Wren joining me outside, their silence screamingI told you so.

"Okay." I huff. "So Ididfuck up."

The car drives away, and I stand here, helpless. Something that hasn't happened in so long, my brain can't seem to process it. Until I remember whose fault it was the last time I was helpless.

Looks like more people are about to die for their stupidity.

"There's a special place in hell for people like you, Father," I call out as I enter my family house in Stoneview.

I'm a man who keeps his cool, but I'll admit, when it comes to the person who's sucked the life out of me since the second I joined this earth, it's hard to think straight.

I kick the door to the tearoom open. "Where are you, asshole?"

A tearoom. Nyx's entire home burned down in less than five minutes, and we have afuckingtearoom.

"Achilles," his wife, Catherine, gags with shock as she puts her cup of tea down.

They have guests. Too bad.

"That's no way to speak to your father." She continues before dabbing her mouth with a white cloth.

I point a finger at her. "I know you have to behave, or he'll smash your face in, so keep smiling for your guests and let me talk, alright?"

My dad stands up under everyone's shocked gazes and extends his hand toward the hallway.

"Let's talk in my office."