Lucky This Isn't Real: MacBride Brothers Series St. Patrick's Day Fake Fiance Romance by Jamie Knight (digital e reader .TXT) 📕

“Watch this,” I said as they approached.

Like clockwork, the state’s tin soldiers charged in. Their guns were drawn even though they knew little about the situation, shouting their commands.

“Police! Get down on your—oh.”

I really wanted to laugh. I honestly did. It was all I could do to keep it together. It was a prank I’d learned from Patrick. Back where overzealous police patrols were a lot more prevalent in our area. Crime prevention, they called it, though I never noticed it made much of a difference aside from bruised knees.

“Officer, do what you need to do, but I assure you this is a mistake,” Darcy said, sounding like Nicole to an almost spooky degree.

“It’s not really—”

“Hush, I’ll do everything I can to get you out.”

“Love you,” I grinned as I was hauled out of the office.

“Love you more.”

Chapter Twnety-One - Darcy

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I hadn’t been through a lot in my life, certainly not physical danger but what happened with Emil was by far the most harrowing experience I’d ever been through. What might have happened if Sean hadn’t come in when he had didn’t bear thinking about. Yet think about it, I did. Every horrific detail running through my mind like a movie I could feel.

Nicole rubbed my back. The cops had wanted me to stay in Emil’s office, but Nicole had insisted on taking me to hers. It was nice to be in a safe, familiar place. Chau wanted me for himself, that was clear, and he wouldn’t stop until he got me, which he very nearly did.

I wanted to run down to the police station and bail Sean out. It wouldn’t matter how much it cost. I would pay anything to have him back, but the cops also insisted on interviewing me. I wasn’t sure why. It should have been clear what happened by my hair, face, and torn blouse. I looked awful, and I knew it, unable to understand why they couldn’t too.

“Now, Ms. Matthews, tell us what happened,” one of the two male officers who’d stayed behind asked.

“I was in the office with Emil. That’s Emil Chau in case you’re taking notes.”

He flipped out his notebook and started doing just that. Having reminded him how to do his job, I continued.

“He was watching me like he always did. I didn’t like it but didn’t make a fuss. I am well aware there is no law against looking, and I would be sure to be reminded of that if I said anything. Then he grabbed me and threw me down on the desk. He ripped open my shirt and tried to get off my pants, but I managed to getaway. He was chasing me around the desk when Sean came in.”

“Mr. Chau was hit very hard,” the other cop in the room said. “The doctors expect the wound to scar in that shape. That could be considered a disfiguration.”

“Awww, poor baby,” Nicole sassed. “Your attitude is why women don’t report sexual assault. Look at her.”

“Miss.”

“Sorry,” Nicole said, rolling her eyes as soon as the cop looked away.

“According to Mr. Chau, you two were having a, er, tryst in his office when Mr. MacBride, a jealous ex-lover, burst in and assaulted him. It was then that Mr. Chau called us.”

“That’s odd, considering he paged down to security before Sean hit him. And Sean hit him only after Emil, I mean Mr. Chau, took a swing at him first.”

“Yes, but you would say that, wouldn’t you while trying to cover up kinky office sex and protect your ex, who you said yourself you love.”

“Sorry, could you repeat that?” Nicole asked, leaning in with a micro recorder.

“What?” the cop asked testily.

“That bit of blatant sexual discrimination you just perpetrated. Could you repeat it for the recording? It will come in very handy when we make a formal complaint to the police commission.”

He ignored Nicole and continued. “Have you any evidence for your stated version of events besides Mr. Chau’s word for it?”

I shook my head. “Isn’t my ripped blouse enough? Wait, I just remembered—” I stood to grab my bag, but Nicole reached out and touched her hand to my arm

“I think we’re done here.” He put away his notebook, and both of them left the office.

“Chauvinist assholes,” Nicole spat when they were out of earshot.

“Why didn’t you want me to get my bag. The hidden camera is there.”

“Because I didn’t trust those two. One look at you, and it’s obvious what went on. Download the footage, so you have a copy, then show the cops. You also need to get a good lawyer, preferably one who specializes in immigration law.”

“Immigration law?”

“Since Sean is Irish, it makes things a bit harder in terms of prosecution if he isn’t a citizen of the country, particularly since America and Ireland have an extradition treaty. If he does any jail time, which is unlikely, it would be there. The cops don’t exactly have nothing, but they have something.”

“Gavin,” I said, struck by inspiration.

My hands were rock steady as I dialed the number, hope looking closer than it ever had before.

“I’m guessing you calling me in the middle of the day isn’t a good thing,” Gavin said when he picked up.

“Long story, Gav. Basically, my boss tried to assault me, but Sean came in and assaulted him right back. The police came, and now Sean has been arrested. I need you to call the lawyer who got you your work visa and see if he knows anyone who can help.”

“The bloody eejit. I’ll make the call and get back to you as soon as I can.”

“Thanks,” I said and hung up.

“Do you want me to drive you down to the cop shop?”