“Roz?” he asked nervously.

“It’s okay, Kyle. Just stay back there.”

I crawled out of the car closing the door behind me and rubbed at my arms. It was freezing and I’d left my jacket inside the car.

“We had some reports about an abandoned car outside of the school. Some of the staff were worried.” The police officer’s expression changed and he shook his head. “Are you and this young man living in this car, miss?”

I didn’t want to answer him, but I didn’t have any other choice. “No. I accidently locked us out of the house last night and I didn’t want him to be late for school this morning. I’m sorry, officer. I’ll move the car right now. Thank you, but all is well.” I started to move closer to the door.

I thought I was home free, until I felt a hot hand on my wrist. I looked up to see the round officer staring back at me with pinched lips and knowing eyes.

“I’m sorry, miss. We’re going to need to take the young man into custody until it’s verified that everything is indeed well.”

I shook him from my wrist and turned to open the car door. I obviously wasn’t thinking clearly since all I could think about was outrunning the cops. “No. That’s not necessary. Like I said, we’re fine and I’m taking him home right now.”

No matter how many times I said those words, the police officer didn’t listen. He pushed me to the side and pulled open the backdoor.

“Roz!” Kyle said in a full on panic. His tone tore at my heart and fear roared through my body.

He struggled in the officer’s arms and reached out for me with tears on his cheeks, as they pulled him to the car with the blue lights on.

“Roz, please help!”

I pushed and fought against the other two, while my little brother was thrown into the back of the police car like a common criminal.

I lost it. Pulling free from the hands that held me, I ran to the car and pounded on the glass. Kyle’s tear-stained face stared back at me.

“Miss, if you don’t stop, we’re going to have to take you into custody.”

I heard the cop talking, but I wasn’t processing it. I lost all track of reason. Reaching down, I picked up a rock and threw it at the window. The rock went through, leaving a gaping hole in its stead.

It was then reality hit home. I was thrown against the police car and my arms were pulled behind me. The cuffs were too tight, and when I was tossed in the backseat next to Kyle, I knew I’d sunk lower than I ever thought I would.

There was nothing I could do. I fought. I fought with all I had left, but it didn’t matter. All that it got me was a one-way ticket to jail. Me—the virgin who’d never drank or done drugs.

I’d failed Kyle. I’d failed the last person left in my life and there was nothing I could do to make it right. Turning away from his sad eyes, I stared out the window and cried.

Five

Sebastian

“What did you find out?” I asked the second Vick came into my office the following day.

“Not much. The young boy she’s riding with is her little brother.  They’re living in their car outside of the middle school.” She flopped into my favorite chair and put her feet up. “It’s a damn shame she didn’t take your deal. Looks to me like she could use it.”

I was relieved to find out the boy wasn’t her son. I would have continued to pursue her regardless, but a brother made things easier to deal with verses a kid. Either way, it was still an extra mouth for her to feed.

“I’m not worried. She’ll be back. This is New York. The city will eat her alive if she doesn’t take my deal.” I went toward the door. I had a few business meetings to take care of and the walls were starting to close in on me. “Until then, keep an eye on her. Make sure nothing bad happens to her or her brother.”

I spent the day going over deals and turning down offers to buy my club. Every greedy bastard in New York wanted to get their hands on what was mine. I wasn’t having it.  By the time I was getting in my car I was pissed, and annoyed that Vick hadn’t called me with good news about Jessica.

I’d gone to my meetings, certain she would return to the club before I was done. I was on my way back when Vick sent me a text message that instantly changed my mood.

Vick: Jessica’s been taken into police custody.

SB: Meet me at the station in twenty minutes.

I put my phone back in my pocket and grinned. Turning at the next light, I drove away from the club and toward the police station. I wanted her desperate, not desolate. The poor girl was totally innocent. Jail would break her down, which was the last thing I wanted. I wanted to break her in and I wanted to do it my way.