Chapter 98 Enemies’ Faces

Chapter 98 Enemies’ Faces
Alyssa’s POV

By the time we pulled into the compound of the police station, my hands had already begun to tremble again.

The building stood ahead of us, dull and official, its walls carrying that cold, unwelcoming stillness that always came with places where people’s lives unraveled. 

Officers moved in and out with clipped urgency, voices overlapping, radios crackling, metal doors opening and shutting. Everything about the place felt heavy.

I didn’t feel ready to face Sean.

My stomach hollowed as I stepped out of Kayden’s car, my breath already shallow. Elizabeth was alive, thank God, but still under treatment. They had to stitch where she was hit by Sean.

I had also learned that the pregnant girl who came to arrest Sean was his girlfriend. It turned out she was actually the reason Sean and Elizabeth broke up. Sean didn’t want to claim the baby, so she had chosen the violent way.

Every new detail made my stomach twist tighter.

This was the person I had almost trusted. Someone I had tried to convince myself I cared about.

And now, I was walking into a police station to face him like he was a stranger.

Or worse—an enemy.

I hadn’t even taken two proper steps toward the entrance when Kayden stopped me.

His hand gently caught my wrist, and before I could comprehend, he turned me to face him. His palms came up to cup my face, warm, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

My eyes lifted to his.

“You’ve got this, okay?” he said quietly, his gaze locked into mine like he was trying to anchor me there. “I’m with you.”

My chest softened, even through the fear. I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat.

Then his jaw tightened, his expression darkening just a fraction.

“I’m not sure I won’t blow his face off when I see him though.”

A shaky breath left me at the hint of seriousness in his threat. I quickly reached for his arm before he could move.

“Kayden… don’t.” I pleaded.  “I don’t want you involved in the chaotic part of this. You’ve already done enough for me.”

He paused, his eyes searching mine, weighing my words.

“Please,” I added, more firmly this time. “Don’t touch him.”

There was a brief moment where I thought he might argue, but instead, he exhaled slowly and gave a small nod.

“I’ll try.”

That was the best I was going to get.

We stepped inside together.

The waiting area was crowded with tension, even in its quiet. A few people sat scattered across the benches, some whispering, one woman crying across who I guessed was her husband. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic and something metallic beneath it.

I couldn’t care about others much. I had my own to deal with.

Kayden guided me to a seat before walking toward one of the officers behind the desk. His voice was low as he spoke to the man, but there was a sharp edge beneath it that only I seemed to notice.

I clasped my hands together tightly in my lap, trying to steady them, but they refused to cooperate. My fingers trembled against each other, my nails pressing into my skin as I tried to ground myself.

Whatever is in that recorder, I hope it doesn’t break me. I really do.

A few moments later, Kayden returned.

“They’ll bring him out now,” he said, his voice quieter as he sat beside me. His hand reached for my wrist, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin in a slow, soothing motion.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Kayden,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t respond with words.

The look in his eyes said everything, that he wasn’t here because I dragged him, but because he chose to be..

Before I could dwell on that, a door opened.

My entire body went rigid.

Sean was led in by an officer, his hands cuffed behind his back. His shirt was slightly wrinkled, his expression irritated rather than remorseful, and somehow, that irritated me more.

He didn’t look like someone guilty for almost killing, for denying a child that belonged to him.

He looked like someone inconvenienced.

He was forced into the chair across from us, and for a moment, the room felt too small and suffocating for us three.

I exhaled silently.

Sean’s eyes flickered between us before a low, mocking chuckle escaped him. It almost surprised me.

“Well… I see you brought your backbone with you.” He said, smirking like a psychopath. 

My jaw tightened, but I ignored him.

Kayden remained silent beside me, but his presence felt heavy, like a ticking time bomb.

I could feel his restraint hanging like a thin thread in air.

I drew in a breath and leaned forward, just enough to keep my words protected within this table.

“Sean,” I called quietly, my voice controlled despite the tremor beneath it. “Just listen to me, okay?”

His annoying smirk didn’t falter.

“Tell me where you kept the recorder.”

For a second, he just stared at me.

Then he leaned back as much as the cuffs allowed, his expression turning lazy, almost amused.

“I won’t,” he said simply. “Not unless you bail me out of here.”

A sharp breath left me.

“It doesn’t work that way,” I replied, trying to keep my voice calm.

Before I could say anything else, Kayden moved.

The shift was so sudden it made me jolt.

His hand shot forward, grabbing Sean by the collar and yanking him forward. The chair scraped loudly against the floor.

“Kayden!” I gasped.

His expression was dark now, all restraint threatening to pack.

“I’m only keeping my cool because of her,” he said, his voice leveled and lethal. Sean’s eyes widened.

“Hey—you’re not allowed to touch the detainee!” the officer snapped immediately.

Kayden released him, but he didn’t lean back.

Instead, he lowered his head, his voice dropping even further, nothing short of intimidation. If not for the fact that he was on my side, I would be scared by now.

“You want me to add more crimes to your list?” he asked Sean. “Because I already know you sent Marcus and Israel. And they’re ready to talk.”

Sean’s expression flickered, unease marring his face.

Kayden’s lips curved into a cold smirk.

“Good,” he murmured. “Now tell us where the recorder is.”

A tense silence followed.

Then Sean huffed, shifting slightly in his seat.

“Check my back pocket,” he muttered. “It’s there.”

That easy? Why did I feel like… well, the last thing I needed right now is to be a pessimist.

Kayden didn’t hesitate. His hand slipped behind Sean discreetly, and when he pulled back, a small device rested in his palm.

My breath caught.

It was the recorder.

Relief and dread collided violently in my chest.

Kayden leaned forward a little, his voice dropping again.

“You’re lucky you got arrested. Because if not… I would’ve handled you myself, Sean.”

Their eyes locked in a silent clash of hostility. Remind me not to ever get on Kayden’s bad side. It’s a terrifying sight. One that I admired too.

Another voice, that sounded older, joined us as footsteps approached.

“What have you done this time, Sean?”

Who…

My entire body froze. I suddenly regretted turning my head to look.

Sean’s father stopped before us. And beside him—was my uncle.

Air left my lungs in a sharp, painful rush.

Sean scoffed, glaring at them. “Just leave, Dad.”

“Shut up,” Mr. Michael snapped. “You think I can keep bailing you out every time?”

Sean laughed bitterly. “I took after you, didn’t I?”

I barely heard them.

My vision had narrowed, my heartbeat thundering loudly in my ears as my gaze locked with my uncle’s.

“Alyssa?” Uncle Patrick called as he identified me, confusion lacing his voice.

Panic surged through me, too fast that I suddenly felt hot and cold inside out. I instantly turned to Kayden, grabbing his arm.

“Let’s go,” I whispered with urgency. “Please—let’s leave now.”

Kayden looked between me and my uncle, his eyes squinting for a second. Sean’s father was now looking between us too. I bet the bastard didn’t remember me. The cause of all my panic attacks, my nightmare, my loss of confidence, was looking at me like I was below him. He was probably wondering where my uncle knew someone like me.

We stood up.

“Alyssa, wait—” my uncle called after me.

I didn’t. I couldn’t.

I rushed out of the station, the air suddenly feeling too thick to breathe properly. My steps faltered once we reached outside, and I stumbled toward a corner, bracing my hands against the wall as I hunched over. My hair fell forward, covering my vision.

My breathing came out uneven, sharp and broken.

“In… out…” I tried to steady myself, but it wasn’t working.

Of course.

Not when he was there.

Kayden reached me within seconds.

“Alyssa—hey.” His voice was close, but it felt far. He touched my back carefully, lifting me with gentility. “What’s happening?”

I shook my head as I brought my head up to face him, my chest rising and falling too fast.

He studied me closely, his brows knitting together.

“Where do you know Mr. Michael’s friend from?” he asked. Oh, he must knew Mr. Michael himself so well.

Kayden helped me stand upright as my body threatened to cave in again. “You still experience this often?” he asked, bringing his face close to mine.

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out.

“Only… when I’m triggered.”

His gaze sharpened.

“What are you keeping from me?” he suddenly asked, but it didn’t sound like an accusation. He was curious.

I looked at him, really looked at him. I didn’t want to lie to this young man who I had…fallen in love with. If anything, he had shown me loyalty. He had shown me he cared too much. But some things are difficult to say.

“Can we… please leave here first?” I whispered, my voice weightless. “Please, Kayden.”

I let my head fall against his chest, letting the sound of his heartbeat steady me for the moment.

Then I felt his hands wrap around me. “Let’s get you to my car.”