Surrendered(23)

We’re shown to a room where we are told to wait. There’s a leather sofa pushed up against the wall, a coffee table with various magazines and a water cooler in the corner. That’s it. It’s the waiting that is killing me.

I pace nervously for a few minutes. Theo says nothing, even though I must be annoying the shit out of him.

After several minutes of whirlwind thoughts, an idea crosses my mind that I’m surprised I haven’t thought of before. “Theo?”

“Mmm hmm.” He doesn’t look up from the magazine in his lap. I glance at what has him so enraptured.

“Really? You’re reading Cosmo?” I raise an eyebrow.

“The sex position of the week is very interesting.” Again, still not looking away.

Curiosity gets the better of me and I move to glance over his shoulder. “Oh wow, yeah, not happening.”

He smirks and finally looks up. “You sure? You’d make a hot pretzel.”

I roll my eyes. “Serious situation.” I gesture around the room.

“Exactly. This is the perfect time for pretzel inspired sex positions.” His eyes dance mischievously.

I drop onto the sofa next to him and shimmy until my thigh is pressed to his, he moves his arm around me and pulls me closer. “Police stations do it for you, huh?” He raises his eyebrows.

“No.” I hiss. “I need to ask you something.” I say in a hushed voice. He says nothing. “If there were to be no testimony from my mother, could they still arrest Harry?”

His face turns serious. “Not here.” He says quietly.

I study his face for a long while. “You’ve thought about it.” I say without accusation.

He presses his lips together and nods his head. Okay, this isn’t the time or place. Shit, why didn’t I think of this sooner?

After a half hour wait, Claudia steps into the room. I think she looks angry, but I can’t tell, the woman has so much Botox in her face.

“What’s happening?” I ask anxiously.

She huffs out a breath. “They are charging him.” My heart plummets in my chest. “That stupid fucking dyke of a detective thinks she can build a case. The likelihood is that she can’t, but we need to be prepared.”

“What about bail?” I say numbly.

Her eyes flick to Theo meaningfully. “It’s taken care of. There will be a bail hearing this afternoon. The detectives will put forward their case, and the judge will decide whether Harry gets bail.”

“He’s not a risk to anyone though, so he’ll get bail right?” Theo threads his fingers through mine and gives my hand a squeeze.

Claudia pauses for a moment as though choosing her words carefully. Claudia doesn’t do careful, so that worries me. “They may try and detain him as a flight risk.”

“Oh my god.” A trial could be months away. Harry will be in prison for months. The thought of my kind, amazing brother locked up with criminals makes me want to cry. My palms start to break out in sweat, and I can hear my pulse hammering in my ears.

“Lilly.” I can’t answer Theo, because I feel like if I open my mouth I might either scream or throw up. “Lilly listen to me.” He grabs my chin and forces me to look at him. “I promised you I would take care of it. You said you trusted me.”

“Did you not hear what she just said?” I say in a hushed whisper.

“Lilly, I have taken care of it.” He doesn’t fucking get it.

Claudia lets out an exasperated sigh and suddenly hugs me. “He has the judge in his pocket.” She hisses in my ear. “Now pull yourself together!” She pushes me away, and smooth’s down the front of my dress like I’m a child going to school. Her lips pull into a tight smile. “I will be at the hearing. If bail is granted then I will call you immediately.”

I nod mutely. “Wait, the bail hearing is today?”

“Yes.” I can tell her patience is wearing thin.

“How did he get a hearing so fast?” She looks at Theo again. I glance between them. No fucking way. He made this happen. Did he know that Harry was going to get charged?

“I have my contacts.” Claudia says uneasily.

I decide to leave it for now. I can’t press either of them here. “Thank you Claudia.” Theo tells her.

She air kisses his cheek. “Darling, always.” She wipes her lipstick mark off his cheek and turns on her spiked heals. She’s gone in a whirlwind of expensive perfume and scary arse attitude.

Theo wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me into his side. He kisses my hair. “It will be fine, sugar.”

“I think I need some vodka.” I say.

He laughs and checks his watch. “Nope, no vodka before ten in the morning. Those are the rules. I can offer coffee though.”