The officers looked at me like I was crazy, probably thinking I was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. The ridiculous thing about it was that the jerk parading around their station, most likely with his head held high, had caused me more damage than anyone could imagine.

“Are you sure you’re okay, ma’am?”

“I promise, I’m fine.” I knew I could fix this whole mess when I got to the station. Taking a deep breath, I tried to force myself to relax. “Give me a second to grab my things and I’ll come with you.” I gave a curt nod and headed off stage.

Alan followed me to the back dressing rooms. “Do you want me to come with you?”

I shook my head. “No, I needed to stand up to my soon-to-be ex-husband sooner or later.” I lay my arm on his. “Keep working. I’ll fix this mess and be back tomorrow.”

He pulled me into a hug. “I’m glad he sent you to me. Take care of him tonight—he’s going to be pissed.”

“I will.”

I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran around to come out of the audience door instead of the stage door. The officers were still there waiting. “Let’s go,” I said, leading the way to the doors.

We walked out to find the place surrounded by even more cars. Members of EMS came running up to me with a stretcher.

“Are you all right, ma’am?” one of them asked, reaching out to take my hand and lead me to the ambulance.

I snatched my arm out of his reach. “I’m fine. I wasn’t kidnapped, simply being tortured by my estranged husband.” I looked around at all of them, standing there. “Now will someone please take me to the station so we can clear this all up?”

“Sorry, Mrs. Tolley,” one of the officers from inside said as he approached. “Please, come with me and we’ll take you there.”

I followed him to one of the unmarked cars. Taking my hand, he helped me in, before climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. The entire drive over my blood boiled, all of the things I ever wanted to say to the arrogant jerk running through my head. There would be no holding back this time. The minute the cop stopped in front of the station and opened my door, I pushed past him and took the steps two at a time. I pushed open the door and was searching for someone to talk to about getting Ashton released when his voice slithered over me.

“Elena, my lovely wife.”

My head snapped in his direction. His words were meant for the ears of the detectives.

I knew better.

Hatred burned bright in his eyes and when he stepped in front of me and took my hands like he was making sure I was okay, I felt his fingers tighten, squeezing my hands uncomfortably, a sly smile playing at the edges of his mouth. I tried to pull out of his grasp but he was stronger and pulled me to him, keeping me close so that my front was pressed against his. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, over my own arms, preventing me from moving, and with his chin resting on my shoulder, his mouth dropped to my ear.

“If you think for one second I’m letting you divorce me, you have another think coming. Now smile, say thank you, and get your fat ass in the fucking car.”

Some of my old insecurities rose up but I pushed them back as best I could. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Malcolm being held back by Miller. He gave me a nod and I let it fly.

Pushing free, I spoke to Dominic, my voice raised so everyone around could hear. “Get your goddamn hands off me. I’m not your lovely wife, as you conveniently choose to put it, considering we’re surrounded by police officers. I’m your soon-to-be ex-wife because you don’t know how to treat a woman.” I jabbed my finger into his chest, working myself into a fine rage. “You’ve spent every day of the last five years tearing me down. I thought I was worthless; that no one would ever want me. You made me think that I was only worthy of being a fucktoy to you. Your problem is that I found someone else; a man who treats me better than you could ever imagine. A man who makes me come over and over again as I scream his name.”

I smirked when I realized we were completely surrounded by officers. “And you have just trapped yourself by falsely accusing a man of kidnapping. A man I’m choosing to be with over you. You’re an idiot. I hope you enjoy jail. I’m taking Ashton home to bed,” I finished.

My knees went weak at the realization of everything that had just come out of my mouth, but, thankfully, during my rant, Miller had come up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist. The police closed in on Dominic, who looked much more uncomfortable now than when I walked in.

“I’m proud of you, little sis,” Miller said in my ear.

“Thank you.” It meant the world for him to say that to me, and the “little sis” made my heart flutter in my chest.

If only that could be true someday.

Malcolm stepped in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders. A blush crept up my cheeks. He’d heard everything I just said. “Thank you for coming to Ashton’s rescue.”

“Of course I would.” The thought of Ashton locked up somewhere in the building brought tears to my eyes.

“You bitch,” Dominic screamed, still fighting the officer holding him even though it was obvious he had no chance of wrestling free. “No one wants to fuck an ugly whore like you. Not even to wipe out a debt. Ashton told me a few weeks ago he wants all of his money.” Spit flew from his lips with every hateful word.

Malcolm spun around so fast he was almost a blur.

“You motherfucker,” he said, advancing on Dominic. “If you don’t shut your goddamn mouth, I’m going to chop your dick off and feed it to you in slices.”

Miller ran around me to wrap an arm around his dad, pulling him back away from where the cops had thrown Dominic to the floor, forcing him into a set of cuffs.

The adrenaline I’d felt when confronting Dominic began to wear off, and the seat a few feet away looked extremely appealing. I walked over to it and dropped down. Both Malcolm and Miller turned their attention back to me. They shared a brief look then Miller took the seat next to mine while Malcolm stood, his neck and face red. I was having trouble controlling my emotions. The tremble of my fingers caught Malcolm’s attention.

“Come on, Elena. Let’s see what we can do about getting Ashton out of here.”

A tall man with dark brown hair came down the hall. The fit of his gray three-piece suit made it very clear that he was not a public defender, or a detective; a suspicion only confirmed when Malcolm offered his hand.

“Arthur.” Malcolm turned and gestured for me to join him. All of the hatred of a few minutes ago gone, I could feel Miller’s presence close behind. Then he stepped up next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder for support. “Arthur Colburn, please meet Elena Tolley. Elena, this is my lawyer, Arthur.”

The gentleman extended his hand toward me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He gestured toward one of the detectives. “Now that you’re here, we’ll be able to straighten this out in no time.”

He led me over to the reception desk where Detective Lynch introduced himself and asked if I could answer a few questions. My hands began to sweat as I considered how much lying I might need to do to keep Ashton out of jail.

“Okay. I can do that.”

He led me to an office down the hall, gesturing for me to take a seat in front of the desk. Arthur took the seat next to me. Malcolm and Miller had elected to wait out in the lobby, knowing their presence in the room wouldn’t help. Detective Lynch took the seat behind the desk and opened the file. Pen in hand, he looked up at me.

“Now, Mrs. Tolley, you said that you were not kidnapped by Mr. Hawes.”

“Absolutely not.” I moved to get up from my seat and Arthur set his hand on my arm, signaling me to sit back down. “Ashton has done nothing but save me from being abused by my so called husband.”