Page 96 of Break Me Not

“Jax Steele, you're under arrest for arson.”

The metal handcuffs were cool against my heated skin.

“The fire isn't even out yet! You haven’t had time to investigate this!” Liz yelled, shock and anger twisting her features, as Claire held on to her while she tried to reach for me.

Police flanked me on either side. I winced as they tightened the cuffs on purpose, making it far more uncomfortable than it should've been.

“Take one more step and you'll be arrested as well,” the one on my right threatened.

“Mom, pull back.”

But Liz was already puffing up. I looked behind them to see that my security team was being arrested as well. When I caught sight of my head of security being pushed into the police car, he shook his head at me.

It could only mean one thing.

Liz's ex is still out there.

Looking behind me, I was unsurprised to see that it was the very same policeman who had been trying to get me arrested at every turn, a sick smile spread right across his face.

“Finally got what you wanted, huh? At least let's hope this time it’s not an AI-generated video.”

“You wish. This time, we have a warrant. And if you want to continue fighting, it’s only gonna be added to the list of things we're already gonna charge you with. You won’t be getting out of this one.”

I turned to Liz and tried to send her a smile. “Sloan. She knows who to call.” She looked like she wanted to fight, but I shook my head. “I'll be okay. Just do it.”

I could barely hear Claire's whisper as they dragged me away.

“It's okay. She'll be okay.”

I had to look away once the tears started falling down Liz's face. I couldn't take it.

So I let them push me into the cramped backseat of their cruiser, taking me away from the girl I loved.

Liz

As soon as she was taken away, I pinched the skin on my upper thigh and pulled myself the fuck out of it.

This was getting out of hand. Not only did he feel emboldened enough to burn down my entire gallery, but he decided to go after my lover as well? It had to stop. I couldn't let him walk all over me like this. He had ruined my life enough.

I had to watch in fear and anger as the cop cars pulled away, taking Jax.

She doesn’t deserve this. And neither do I or Claire, for that matter.

All the years I was with him ran through my mind. All the sorrow. All the anger. All the hurt.

I had been a good wife. I had been a good mother. But when I finally started to do something for myself, he couldn't handle it.

He had a life, which included my money and even my car, that he could do whatever the fuck he wanted with. But what had he decided to do? Make mine a living hell.

I’m done.

I wiped my tears and looked at Claire. Now that all the panic had subsided, I was left with cold anger. The explosive but calculating kind.

Because I had a plan.

“I love you,” I told her, keeping my voice steady. “But it's time for you to go home. I'll handle this from here.”

She gave me a look of disbelief and slowly shook her head. Her hands reached out to grab mine.