Page 75 of Twisted (Never After)

Julian’s hand ghosts across the small of my back, sending a shiver racing up my spine. “Go sit in the car, Yasmin.”

“Won’t that look suspicious?” I look up at him. “I’d rather stay out here.”

He glances down at me, the corners of his lips twitching, but his hand stays in place. “Suit yourself.”

A car door slams and the police officer walks over, his hands on his hips, resting right over his gun. He takes in the scene, scanning the blacked- out Audi R8 and then Julian, and I wonder what it is he sees when he looks at us.

We’re both in designer labels, with an expensive car, and Julian has tattoos that cover most of his body. I assume Julian knows most of the local police force, but when suspicion flits across the police officer’s face and his fingers tighten over his holster, I second- guess myself.

Okay then. We must not look like anything good.

Julian’s hand caresses my skin lightly, sending a comforting sensation through me. I lean into it.

“What’s going on here? You realize this is private property?” the cop says.

Julian’s brows lift and he glances behind him, over the empty parking lot and warehouse.

I hadn’t asked what the warehouse was for; it’s beige on the outside and large enough to fit several other buildings inside it, but there’s no discernible name on the front, and I’ve been so distracted with driving that it hadn’t crossed my mind to ask or to think we were trespassing.

“That’s right,” Julian replies.

“Odd place to be on a Friday afternoon.”

Julian nods. “Teaching my wife to drive. Unfortunately, it’s a skill she hasn’t yet mastered.”

The cop’s brows raise, and he looks to me, his tongue peeking out to swipe across his chapped lips as his eyes strip me down.

Yuck. A single look and I feel more violated by him than I ever have with Julian.

“I don’t know if I believe that.” The cop laughs. “A man like you with a girl like her? Seems like she’d have a lot ofskills.”

I hold back a scoff, crossing my arms over my chest instead.

What the hell does he mean by that?

Julian’s fingers twitch on my back.

“Unfortunately,” the cop continues, “like I said, this is private property. You can’t just loiter wherever you want, regardless of how nice the eye candy is while you do it.”

“Sheisbeautiful, isn’t she?” Julian notes.

Julian doesn’t spare me a glance, but my traitorous heart skips anyway at the compliment.

“Did someone call you to complain?” he asks.

The officer’s bushy brown brows furrow. “That’s none of your concern.”

“Seeing as I own the place, I find it very concerning.”

A small breath leaves me. I hadn’t expected that, although I’m not sure why I’m surprised. Julian seems to have his hand in everything, the same as my father.

The cop, however, looks visibly shocked. “Let me see your license and registration, please.”

Julian leans down and whispers in my ear, “Go get in the car, Yasmin.”

Part of me wants to take the opportunity to tell him to go fuck himself for always thinking he can tell me what to do, but I realize now might not be the most opportune of times, so I bite the side of my cheek and do what he says.

I make my way toward the back of the vehicle, attempting to avoid the police officer, but he’s standing right next to the car, and when I try to move around him, he steps in closer.