Chapter 13: The Truth Comes Out

We went downstairs. The whole pack spread out across the gym.

Some lifted weights. Others hit punching bags. Marcus and another guy started sparring in the ring.

It looked normal. Like any other day.

But I could feel the tension. Everyone was ready for a fight.

Cole stood by the front door. Waiting.

I stayed near the back with Stacey. Out of sight but not hiding.

The front door opened. The detective walked in first. She was maybe forty. Short brown hair. Sharp eyes that took everything in.

Two officers followed her. Then Brian.

My whole body went cold when I saw him.

He looked perfect. Clean suit. Concerned expression. Like he was the worried boyfriend.

But his eyes found mine across the room. And for just a second, I saw the real him. The anger. The need to control.

Then the mask was back.

"I'm Detective Morris," the woman said to Cole. "We got a report that a young woman is being held here against her will."

"No one's being held here," Cole said. His voice was calm. "This is a gym. People come and go as they please."

"Then you won't mind if we look around."

"Actually, I do mind. Unless you have a warrant."

Detective Morris pulled a paper from her jacket. "Just came through."

Cole took it. Read it. His jaw tightened but he stepped aside.

"Search all you want."

The two officers spread out. Started looking around the gym.

Brian stepped forward. "Her name is Lita Dillard. She's eighteen. She's been missing for two days."

"I'm not missing," I said. My voice was loud. Clear.

Everyone turned to look at me.

I walked forward. Stacey stayed close behind me.

Brian's face went through several emotions. Relief. Anger. Something that looked like victory.

"Lita, thank god." He started toward me. "I've been so worried. Your mother's been calling everyone."

"Don't come near me." I stopped walking. Put space between us.

Detective Morris looked between us. "Miss Dillard, are you here of your own free will?"

"Yes."

"Then why did Mr. Mitchell file a missing persons report?"

"Because he's controlling and manipulative and can't stand that I left him."

Brian's face changed. Got hard. "Lita, what are you talking about? We're on a break but I've been worried sick about you. You stopped answering your phone. Missed your therapy appointments."

"Because I blocked you. And I'm done with therapy."

"You need therapy, Lita. You know that. Your aggression issues."

"I don't have aggression issues!" My voice got louder. "You made me think I did. You and my mother and Susan. But there's nothing wrong with me."

Detective Morris held up a hand. "Let's all calm down. Miss Dillard, can we talk? Privately?"

I nodded.

She led me to Cole's office. Closed the door.

We sat down. She pulled out a notebook.

"Tell me what's going on."

So I did. Everything.

I told her about Brian. How he started controlling me. Then hurting me.

I showed her the bruises on my wrists. The ones on my arms under my sleeves.

I told her about my mother. About Susan. About how no one believed me when I tried to get help.

I told her about James. How he tried to save me. How he died right after.

The detective wrote everything down. Her face stayed neutral but her eyes got harder with each thing I said.

"These are serious accusations," she said when I finished.

"I know."

"Do you have any proof? Medical records? Photos? Witnesses?"

"I went to the hospital once. For my wrist. But Brian told them I fell and I was too scared to say anything different." I pulled out my phone. "I have texts. From Brian. Threatening me."

I showed her the messages. The ones where he said he'd find me. That I'd come back to him.

She took photos of them with her own phone.

"What about your brother's death? You said you think Brian had something to do with it."

"I have his journal. James wrote that Brian threatened him. That he was meeting Brian the night he died."

"Can I see this journal?"

I'd left it upstairs. "It's in my room. I can get it."

"Please do."

We went back out. Brian was arguing with Cole now.

"You have no right to keep her here! She's not well. She needs help."

"She's an adult. She can make her own choices." Cole's voice was ice.

"She's sick! She has a prescription for her aggression and she's not taking it!"

"Maybe because she doesn't need it," Stacey said. She'd moved closer to Cole. Ready to back him up.

Brian's face went red. "You don't know what you're talking about. I've been with her for over a year. I know what she needs."

"You know how to control her," I said. All eyes turned to me. "That's all you've ever known. How to manipulate and control and hurt."

"I never hurt you, Lita." His voice got soft. Fake gentle. "I love you. Everything I did was to help you."

"You broke my wrist."

The room went silent.

"That was an accident. You fell."

"You pushed me down the stairs because I talked to another guy at a party."

Detective Morris stepped forward. "Mr. Mitchell, I think you should wait outside."

"No. I'm not leaving without her." His voice got hard. "She's not thinking clearly. She's off her meds. She needs to come home."

"She's not going anywhere with you," Cole said. His eyes flashed. Just for a second.

Brian saw it. Took a step back.

"What are you?" Brian's voice shook. "I know there's something wrong with this place. James knew it too. That's why you killed him."

"We didn't kill James," Alex said. He'd moved closer without me noticing. "But someone did."

"What are you talking about?"

"James Dillard's death is being investigated as suspicious," Detective Morris said. She looked at Brian carefully. "New evidence came to light."

That was news to me. I looked at Andres. He gave a small nod.

He must have called it in. Reported James's death as suspicious.

Brian's face went pale. "That's ridiculous. It was an accident. Everyone said so."

"Maybe. Or maybe someone wanted it to look like an accident." The detective turned to one of the officers. "Mr. Mitchell, we're going to need you to come to the station. Answer some questions."

"About what? I didn't do anything!"

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

Brian looked at me. Pure hate in his eyes.

"This isn't over, Lita. You think these people can protect you? They can't. I'll make sure of it."

"That sounds like a threat," Detective Morris said.

"It's a promise." Brian smiled. Cold and cruel. "She's mine. She'll always be mine."

Two officers moved toward him.

That's when Brian did something stupid.

He lunged at me.

Fast. Faster than I expected.

But Cole was faster.

He caught Brian by the throat. Lifted him off the ground.

His eyes went full black. Claws came out.

Right in front of the cops.

"Cole, don't!" I screamed.

But it was too late.

Everyone saw.