ALINA’S POV

    We got to the police station, and Jordan and I went in to find Ss and Elena already waiting with an officer beside them.

    “There she is, officer.” Elena said with a sweet smile, shocking me.

    Gone was the woman who was crossed at me earlier, reced by her was someone I barely recognized, calm,posed, and eerily sweet.

    “Alina, darling.” She cooed, interlocking our arms the moment I got close enough.

    Jordan, ever alert, moved instinctively to interfere, but I subtly signaled him with my free hand. Not to yet.

    He backed off, but his posture stayed rigid and guarded, his eyes never leaving us.

    “Please tell this nice gentleman that this is all just a misunderstanding.” Elena said again in her sharine tone. But if you listened closely, you could hear the underlying strainced with barely concealed frustration. !--

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    “What is going on, officer?” I asked, offering a polite smile to the man. He didn’t seem to be the one in charge, but his presence felt important nheless.

    “I think there’s been a mix-up somewhere.”

    “Yes, officer, what she said.” Elena chimed in again, her grip around my arm tightening, painfully so.

    Can she just shut up and let me talk?

    I gracefully removed her hand from my arm and stepped forward to face the officer.

    Xander, his name tag read.

    “Mrs. ckwood?” He asked, as if confirming it was me.

    “Yes, officer-”

    “Please, call me Officer Xander,” he said softly, his strict demeanor softening just a bit. “Come with me.”

    He motioned for us to follow.

    I had a suspicion he was someone of importance, and I was right. When we reached his door, the que read Deputy Chief.

    Impressive. Officer Xander looked young, but he had already achieved something tangible in his career.

    We stepped into the office. It looked just like the typical police office you’d see on TV, dimly lit, papers all over the desk, and thick with the scent of coffee and cigarettes.

    “Please, have a seat.” He gestured to me, barely sparing a nce at Ss and Elena.

    I sat down first. Ss and Elena followed, while Jordan remained at the door, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked on me like.

    “Now, how may I help you?” Officer Xander asked.

    “Officer Xander, my sister was arrested yesterday for attempted murder, and it’s said that the victim, me, is pressing

    charges.”I began.

    “Correct.” He nodded, flipping through the file on his desk.

    “That’s the problem, I didn’t request her arrest.” I said as my voice tightened in confusion.

    “Well, it says here that you did.” He replied, tapping on a section of the document, eyes lifting to meet mine.

    Elena and Ss both shot me an usatory look.

    Back off people, I have no idea what this man is talking about.

    “Well, I think there’s been a mix-up because I didn’t.” I insisted,frustration seeped into my tone and Officer Xander noticed.

    “Calm down, Mrs. ckwood.” He said gently.

    “I’ll be calm when you release my sister.” I snapped.

    I wasn’t upset because Seraphina was behind bars, I could care less about that. I was upset because this entire trip was a colossal waste of time. I was supposed to be meeting with potential investors but instead I was here, trying to clean up Seraphina’s mess.

    “I’m sorry, but that cannot be possible.” Hesaid, leaning back in his chair.

    On a different day, that answer might have satisfied me. But right now, it only annoyed me further.

    “Excuse me?” I red at him. “Why the hell not?”

    “There is video evidence of the crime, and also witnesses havee forward. She can’t be released just like that.” He exined.

    “You said I was pressing charges, right?” I asked.

    “That’s correct, Mrs. ckwood.” He nodded.

    “Alright then, I’m withdrawing those charges.” I shrugged. “I don’t want her arrested anymore. Send someone to release her.”

    “It doesn’t work like that, ma’am.” He sighed.

    I narrowed my eyes at him,”Then tell me how it works, so I can get it done and get out of here. We have ces to be, Officer.” I snapped again, my voice sharp with impatience.

    I stared at him, trying to figure out why he was being so difficult. Normally, when a victim withdraws awsuit, thew has no choice but to let the used go, regardless of the crime. So why was this dragging out?

    Then it hit me.

    I hadn’t filed for her arrest, and even now that I was asking to withdraw the charges, they were still refusing.

    This had one person’s prints all over it.

    Lucian.

    “Did Lucian ask you to do this?” I asked suddenly, catching Officer Xander off guard.

    His eyes widened just a fraction before heposed himself, but I caught it.

    “Of course he did.” I scoffed.

    I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone, dialing Lucian.

    For the first time, he didn’t pick up.

    Of course, I thought bitterly. Now he doesn’t pick up.

    Not bothering to call again, I dialed Ace instead.

    “Good morning, Madame.” Ace answered on the first ring.

    “Give the phone to Lucian, Ace.” I said tly, not in the mood for pleasantries.

    There was a pause on the other end.

    “The boss is in a meeting, ma’—”

    “I do not have time for this, Ace.” My voice dropped, “Tell Lucian that he either talks to me, or I’m going to do something he will not like.” My threat was clear.

    As much as I knew Lucian did what he did with my best interest at heart, I hated being blindsided. I hated being left out of decisions,especially ones that involved me directly.

    I wasn’t a child and I hated that he treated me as such.

    There was a brief shuffle before Lucian’s voice finally came through the phone.

    “Doll.” His deep, rich tone caressed my ear.