When The Rules Are Broken ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Where is he?" Amelia paced the precinct's waiting area. Charlotte had texted her earlier that she was at James' place dealing with her hysteric mother while the lawyers worked on getting him free.

"Dropping charges takes time, Millie." Daniel stretched his stiff neck. They had been waiting for hours and still had heard nothing beyond what Charlotte had told them.

Three police officers walked by, huddled together and full of appraising looks. She remarked, "The cops don't make you feel at home, do they?" Her heart broke at the thought of what James was going through at the moment.

"Ignore them." Daniel frowned. "These guys have a herd mentality when it comes to high-profile cases."

The door to their right opened. A down-trodden James appeared. He was escorted by Nate and another man, who was one of the best defence attorneys in the country. A strangled sob rose in her throat at the stone-cold bleakness in his eyes. The light in them was gone. He looked lifeless.

Rushing, Amelia tried to hug him. "Oh, James!"

He glanced at her blearily and pushed past her with his two-person posse.

Stung, Amelia gaped. 

"It will be okay," Daniel murmured, casting her a commiserating look. "Give him some space."

Fighting to remain calm, she despaired, "I wish I could help him somehow.''

"Be there for him," her brother replied, squeezing her hand.

Collecting herself, Amelia nodded. A movement caught the corner of her eye. Her gaze shifted to the man in the background. Was this detective Connor? He was far younger and attractive than she had imagined. Wait! She had seen him before. Has he been tailing me?

Their eyes met, he winked. She harrumphed her way out of the station, only to be greeted by the plethora of screaming reporters and flashing lights.

Fuck. Amelia swore as Daniel threw his jacket over her head and guided her into his car. Hiding her face behind the denim, she ducked in the backseat of the Mercedes.

Daniel swerved and zigzagged through the swamp of reporters and soon shouted from the wheels. "We are in the clear."

Straightening up, she climbed to the front passenger seat. "I bet that detective called the media."

"Him or just about anybody at the station," Daniel agreed and gave her a side-way glance. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Amelia sighed, though she was rattled. "So, no lecture about my poor tastes in men."

"James seems like a decent guy." Daniel chuckled.

"You haven't known him for that long."

"Well, first, as a lawyer, I can read people ninety-five percent of the time. Second, I don't know all the details around the case against him, but everything is circumstantial from what I have gleaned from social media. And, last but not least, you love him, and I will stand by you no matter what," Daniel enumerated his reasons.

"The story of his arrest is already online?" she asked, horrified. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"You bet. Half the time, the digital age is a curse," Daniel said, his voice full of sympathy. "I didn't tell you as there is already a lot on your plate and the police station can be a daunting place."

"I love him," she admitted after a while. "He is an amazing guy." Not only was he perfect, but also a sensitive lover. It was something she could never divulge to her brother.

"As long as he doesn't break your heart, he is in my good books," Daniel reiterated, taking a turn to the right. Then they both relapsed into silence.

When they arrived at James' apartment, they found Anna fawning over her son. It was rather disconcerting to see her act this maternal. Charlotte stood, biting her nails, in the corner while the lawyers were assembled in the sitting area with their briefcases and paperwork.