Cruel Shame (Knights of Templar Academy #3) - Sofia Daniel Page 0,14

inside my head. The medicine doctors prescribed me was a step above the over-the-counter bullshit that could only smooth out the sharp edges.

It left me with a hot and dull and pounding concussion, even after choking down that garlic bread and drinking tons of water. But at least I could finally face the world.

Even though the police station was only a ten-minute walk from the hotel, the boys took the limo. We arrived outside its glass exterior, finding its waiting room already crammed full.

Maxwell opened the door, and the shouts and roars of the crowd engulfed my senses. Most of the people taking up the space were dressed in club wear, looking like they all came out from either a nightclub or a concert hall. Fresh pain flared across the left side of my head, causing me to stumble back into Orlando.

“Are you alright?” He held me around the waist again.

“I can’t go in there.” My insides cringed as I said the words. I’ve faced murderous dogs, dining rooms full of mean girls, and squared up to drug lords. A boisterous room shouldn’t turn me into a trembling mess.

Orlando flicked his head. I guess that was a silent sign for the twins to go inside and tell the police I wanted to see Mr. Burgh.

My heart sank as he walked me back to the limo, opened the door, and tucked me inside like I was made of thin glass. To anyone watching, this looked like I was scared to face my demons or there might be some truth in the allegations. The Liddells’ shit had nothing to do with my current state. It was that bloody concussion and a skin-prickling sensation that someone was out there, aiming a gun and this time, wouldn’t miss.

“Are you alright?” Orlando rubbed my hands between his. “You’re freezing.”

“Crap painkillers,” I muttered.

“You know that none of us will stand for what’s happened to Mr. Burgh, right?” He pulled me against his chest and ran his warm hand up and down my forearm. “What we said about helping you with the Liddells also applies to your granddad.”

“Thanks.” I placed my hand on his muscular thigh and let my heavy eyelids close.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed between falling asleep and being woken by coaxing words and a gentle hand.

“Ken just said the police are ready to see you,” Orlando murmured into my ear.

My eyes snapped open. I pulled myself off his warm chest and stared into his hazel eyes. With the street lights drifting in through the limo’s darkened window, his irises looked like warm caramel.

“Thanks for taking care of me,” I murmured.

Orlando kissed the tip of my nose. “It was my pleasure. I hope it goes well inside.”

My stomach tightened at the loss of his presence. Part of me wanted to ask Orlando to sit next to me, but I shook off that thought. Last September, I’d been brazen enough to call the police after stabbing Sammy and exposing his hydroponic weed farm. I hadn’t done anything wrong this time, so I could face the police. Besides, they only allowed guardians or solicitors in the interview rooms.

Maxwell and Kendrick escorted me into the now empty station, and a layer of tension rose from my shoulders at the absence of that noisy crowd. The pounding in my head receded to a dull pulse, giving me the strength to face what was probably going to be a hostile officer desperate to protect the Liddells.

The receptionist, a mousy-haired woman with a bowl cut, raised her head and buzzed me through a side door. I stood at the open entrance, glancing from one twin to the other.

“I appreciate this,” I murmured. “Both of you.”

Kendrick nodded. “While we were waiting, I made a list of the most vocal students on twitter. If we can let enough people know that these allegations are a distraction from Lady Liddell’s criminal activity, the police might decide to drop the charges.”

Maxwell leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. “We’ll wait for you”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung onto him as though it might be our last time. Maxwell hugged back, his masculine scent filling my nostrils. By now, Elizabeth and her mouth could have elaborated on their lies and implicated me in this mess. I could be walking into an arrest.

“Miss Delilah Hancock?” asked an impatient female voice.

I released the embrace and turned to find a female police officer with jet-black hair tied back in a