Chapter 6
CHARLEY
Ididn’t expect tobe woken up to pounding on my front door from the Sunset Falls Police Department, but that’s what I got. My face flamed red when I opened the door wearing my zebra pajamas.
The two officers standing in front of me looked curiously at my choice of pjs, but I didn’t care. I just needed to know that Martin and Hunter were safe.
“Charley Baker?”
“Yes.” I crossed my arms across my stomach to settle the flurry of butterflies that had taken off inside.
“Ma’am, we need to get a statement from you down at the station.”
“Is Hunter and Martin okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am. They are fine, but we need you to come with us. Would you go get dressed so we can get your statement?”
“Sure. Give me a few minutes.” I bit my lip to keep from crying as I shut the door and grabbed the box that was marked closet. I pulled out a pair of shorts and a bra and a T-shirt, changing as quickly as I could.
The two officers led me down to their car. I could see people giving me curious glances as they loaded me in, but I ignored everything. I just wanted to see Hunter and my brother as fast as possible, to see they were safe with my own eyes.
I sat quietly in the backseat of the cop car. My first and hopefully last time on this side of the cage. I felt sick and just wanted to be back in my new apartment cooking for the guys like I planned. None of this was supposed to happen. I felt like a kid again getting dragged into the principal’s office, only I wasn’t a kid, and this wasn’t such an easy situation. Someone could be in real trouble, and I felt responsible for it all.
The officer opened the car door for me and led me into the station. My nerves were shot, so when I saw Martin in the hallway with a pregnant brunette woman talking, I felt relief flood through me.
“Martin.” I called, running to him and into his arms. He was almost twice my age and the only family I had left. He was more like a dad than a brother to me.
“Hey, Kiddo.” He hugged me tightly. “You should have told me.”
I nodded, knowing I should have told him a long time ago, but at first, I thought it was all in my head. Then I didn’t want to bother him, and I was so busy with school and work that I just didn’t have time to worry about moving.
“Is Hunter okay?” I stepped back and pulled out of his hug.
Martin cocked an eyebrow at me. “Yeah, he’s okay.”
“Ms. Baker?” I looked over to see a gorgeous guy in a uniform coming toward me. “Please follow me.”
“I’ll be coming with my client.” The brunette spoke up, pushing herself off the wall.
“Client? She’s not under arrest, Lex.”
The lawyer shrugged. “I know that and you know that, but I am going to be present, so she feels more at ease, Officer Maddox.”
I swallowed hard and looked at the silent exchange that was passing between the lawyer and the officer. “Follow me.” He gave an exasperated huff and led us down the hallway.
The lawyer took my hand and squeezed it gently. “Don’t worry. He’s all bark and no bite.”
“I heard that,” he said over his shoulder, making the lawyer smile.
Officer Maddox opened the door for us into an office. “Have a seat, ladies.”
We both took a seat across from him. “You’re not in trouble, Miss Baker, but we do need to know what happened today.”