“What about my rights? Where is my protection? I don’t want my photo taken, are you telling me that he has a right to do something against my will and I’m unable to react? I was protecting myself and my loved ones. It’s my rights that have been compromised today.”
“Look.” He sighs. “Stop playing dumb. You know how this works, you own a media company, for Christ’s sake.” He hands me a ticket. “You’ve been charged with assault and vandalism, get your solicitor to fight the arguments in court. I don’t make the laws.”
I snatch it out of his hand. “What you do is protect criminals.” I stand.
He rolls his eyes.
“And don’t roll your fucking eyes at me,” I snap.
“Do you want to go back to the lockup? Is that it?” He gestures to the door. “Just go, before you overstep the line for the tenth time today.”
I’m led downstairs and into the reception area, where I see Christopher and our lawyer sitting and waiting. I glare at them and turn to the police officer. “I want my possessions returned.”
“Your phone, belt, and keys are in the tray over on the counter.”
I take them and put them in my pockets. “Let’s go.”
“Thank you, officer,” Christopher says.
“Don’t fucking thank him,” I snap. “It’s a joke that I was even arrested.” I storm out of the front door of the police station.
“Will you stop being such a fucking prick?” Christopher calls from behind me. “It’s not his fault you had a brain snap.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I whisper angrily as I march down the steps. I turn toward them. “Thank you both for coming. Go home, now.”
“You go home too, Mr. Miles,” Edward, our solicitor, says. “You are in no state to be in public.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are not fine. Go straight home before you make your situation worse.”
“It can’t get any fucking worse,” I snap.
“Believe me, it can. Christopher, drive him home and stay with him tonight.”
“I will, don’t worry.”
“Fuck off the both of you.” I turn away in disgust. “Actually, drive me back to my car.”
“I had Andrew pick your car up earlier,” Christopher says. “I’m driving you home.”
I stare at him. “Fine.” I shake Edward’s hand. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be in touch. Stay home, Elliot. I can’t stress to you how important it is that you don’t get into any more trouble.”
“I won’t let him out of my sight,” Christopher says.
I exhale heavily and we walk over to his car. I slam the door shut. “Take me to Kate’s.”
“I am not taking you to Kate’s.”
“Fine.” I open the car door to get back out. “I’ll fucking walk.” I march down the street in the direction of her house.
“She doesn’t want to see you,” he calls.
I carry on walking and he drives the car up alongside me and winds down the window. “Stop being an idiot.”
I keep walking.
“Elliot, you are all over the news right now. They’ll be camped out the front of her house.”
I stop on the spot and my shoulders slump. “I’ve fucked it.”