“So you’re saying Kas is a threat to public safety?”
“We didn’t say that,” the male cop muttered, standing to join his partner. “We’re just aware rehabilitation after circumstances like the ones Mr. Sands has endured can take time and resources that need to be discussed—for the safety of all involved.”
“Are you taking the prescribed medication and have an appointment to see a local therapist?” The woman met my gaze.
“I am, and I will.” My hands balled.
Gem glanced my way before looking back at the police.
The officers made eye contact with her. “And you’re happy to have Mr. Sands in your home? You don’t need to feel responsible for his care now that you’re back home, Ms. Ashford. There are many places he can go—even with a lack of funds and no identification. You don’t have to house—”
“It’s my pleasure to give him somewhere to stay.”
“But if he’s suffering trauma from what occurred, it might be safest if he—”
“I trust him.” Gemma stiffened. “It’s an honor to have Kas stay with me for however long he wants. He’s welcome here indefinitely. Forever if that’s his choice as it is mine.” Her chin arched. “Now, I’m so sorry to be rude, but we really must be going.”
The cops looked at each other, then at Gem and me.
Tension vibrated between everyone.
The questions they’d already asked were repetitive and garnered no new facts. The insinuation that I might be a danger to the neighborhood weighed on me. This entire visit had scratched me raw, but I had no doubt they’d garnered more information from us than we thought we’d given. Eventually, they’d trip me up. I just had to hope I wasn’t as foggy headed next time.
Clearing my throat, I spoke calmly and politely, “I’m aware of my own flaws. I’m willing to take the necessary measures to ensure no one gets hurt. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Good to hear.” The woman nodded. “Well, then, I’m sure we will have opportunities to talk in the future.”
Why does that sound like a threat?
She smiled. “However, before we go, is there anything else you can tell us that would be prudent to our investigation? Anything at all?”
I shook my head. “No. We said what we needed to the doctors and police at the hospital.”
The police looked at one another. Questions still existed in their shrewd stares, but they put away their notepads and stood. “Okay then. We’ll be in touch as we gather more information.”
“No problem. You know where to find us.” Gemma headed toward the door, unable to hide her impatience to have them gone. “Thanks for stopping by.”
The cops looked me up and down, a tight smile on their faces. “Thanks for your time, Mr. Sands.”
“No problem.”
The male stuck out his hand, waiting for me to shake.
The thought of touching anyone who wasn’t Gem, especially a guy? Fuck me, it took every willpower to lock my knees, insert my hand into his, and stay human as his fingers tightened around mine.
Sweat broke out as my instincts roared to strike or run.
Letting me go, he tipped his chin down. “Goodbye.”
I tripped a little to the side as my heart rate galloped and the room spun.
Christ, if I reacted this way to every person I had to touch, maybe I was what the cops said: a danger to the neighborhood.
Gem shifted closer to me, subtly giving me her body to lean against in case my vision went completely white.
“We’ll be in touch.” The woman smiled thinly and stepped out of Gemma’s house. Her partner followed a few steps behind.
I didn’t breathe properly until the police were down the driveway and Gemma closed the door.
Silence.
Peace.
I sucked in a heavy breath, doing my best to shed the panic still racing in my blood from the guy’s touch.
Our eyes met.
We shrugged as if we were both a little lost.
Gemma was the first to recover, rubbing both hands over her face. “Argh, they’ll come back. I know they will. We need to come up with an iron-clad story, Kas. There are way too many holes in that one. The fact that traffickers just upped and left without taking you with them or killing you? And they haven’t even asked about any other kids being held there. Is it because the house was so badly burned there’s literally no evidence of others, or do they know something we don’t?”
White spots danced over my eyes as my body continued to tremble a little. I shivered as she walked into my arms. “Do you think they’ll come back for me?”
She buried her face into my chest. “I don’t know. But I think it’s important that we make it so they can’t pin any of this on you.”
“And how do we do that?” I inhaled the sweet scent of her hair, missing the smell of papaya and woodsmoke from the valley. Now, she smelled like berries and something else I couldn’t decipher.