Tangled Love

CHAPTER 53

"Emily, the police are here."

Police? Why? What have I done?

I wake from my hazy sleep and roll over, finding myself falling through the air. I let out a small yelp andland hard onto the cold floor with a thud.

"Urgh, that hurt." I groan, turning to look up at an amused Jake who was chuckling quietly, stood in mydoorway.

"Get up Muffin, they want to speak to you," he says, running a hand through his hair.

"What do I say Jake?" I whisper loudly at him, panicking. Jake shrugs as if it's obvious.

"Tell them the truth."

"I thought we were going to take care of it?" I ask, confused.

"Yeah, we are going to take care of it. The police can't provide you with much safety Muffin, they'reuseless. Tell them why you moved here, say you don't want to press charges against Trevor and thatyou refuse to go back. That should do it."

He holds out a hand and I gratefully take it, groaning as Jake helps me to my feet.

"You'll be fine" he whispers, before kissing the top of my head. I nod against his chest, feeling panicand worry settle inside me. I run a hand through my hair in an attempt to make myself look morepresentable.

"I'll be five minutes" I mumble, heading for the bathroom. Jake nods before quickly grabbing hold of myarm, stopping me in my tracks.

"Muffin? Don't let them know about us." Jake clears his throat, looking uncomfortable.

"The police don't like me. They'll try to warn you off me and possibly say I influenced you in yourdecision to leave him." Jake scratches the back of his neck awkwardly before giving me a reassuringsmile. I nod silently, trying desperately to remember his words.

Okay Emily, don't screw this up.

*****

"Trevor abused me for years." I say quietly to the two female police officers who are looking at me,waiting for an answer. One of them with blonde hair tied back into a small bun is writing everythingdown in a little notepad and I keep glancing at her warily. The other one is slightly older and looked inher 40's with dark hair. She seems nicer and more sympathetic.

"Can you give me an example of what he would do Emily?" the older police officer asks. I nod,swallowing the lump in my throat. I over at Jake who was sat on the arm of the couch silently, his jawclenched tightly in anger. He gives me a small smile, urging me to go on and I look back at the officer,feeling more confident.

"He'll punch me until I'm down and then kick me repeatedly, he's fractured my bones, he pulls outclumps of my hair and he bruises my entire body beside my face." I answer weakly, feeling tears prickmy eyes. I stand up off the couch and lift my top, pointing at the bruising.

"It was so much worse than this, it's had time to heal." I comment, glancing at the officer who areexamining them with sadness in her eyes.

Even though my secret is out, it pains me to say the words. Admitting your step father abused you foryears without anyone batting an eyelid wasn't an easy thing to do. It makes me feel weak, helpless.I now know I should have done more to stop it but I'm still classed as a child, home is home. I didn't

have anywhere else to go, anyone to turn to. My family are distanced away from me on purpose so thatTrevor could keep me hidden.

"Would you like to come to the station and make an official statement Emily?" The officer respondssoftly. I shake my head glancing at Jake again, remembering his words.

"No. I don't want to press charges." I respond firmly. Jake would take care of that.

"Why not?" The blonde officer suddenly asks me, glancing between Jake and I suspiciously. It's the firsttime she's spoken and I know she doesn't believe my truth.

"I don't want to press charges, that's my decision. I'm safe here." I gesture around the room and shenarrows her eyes at me.

"So what's your relationship with Jake Melvin?" She asks, totally off topic. I look at her directly,frowning.

"He's my friend," I respond confidently, my head held high.

"You're friends with Jake Melvin? He doesn't seem like your type to befriend," she probes, her headtilted as if she can see straight through me. I hear Jake cough and turn to see him stand up, his handsin his jean pockets.

"Is there a problem with her being friends with me Helen?" Jake asks coldly, tilting his head at theofficer. Jake knows her name?novelbin

"Of course not." Helen replies tightly, lying through her teeth. Her jaw is clenched and I sense her andJake have previous history. Jake smirks at her, bouncing forward and back on the heel of his trainers.

"So what's the need for that question?" Jake continues. Helen sighs, admitting defeat. She ignoresJake and turns to face me.

"Be careful who you choose as your friends."

An instant frown settles on my face and I narrow my eyes at her, standing up.

"It's my choice who I'm friends with, not yours. He's a good friend to me, he let me stay here to keepme safe. He's done more for me than you probably ever will. You're here to talk about Trevor, not Jake.So I'd like to stick to the subject."

I hear Jake chuckle quietly and can faintly see him smirking from the corner of my eye at my response.Helen's face is now raging, her jaw clenched firmly. She definitely isn't happy with my response. Theother officer hands me a card, smiling at me faintly before standing up.

"Thanks for the information Emily, we'll be in touch over your living arrangements. Your mother hasrequested you go back home but obviously we have to put your safety first."

"My mother can go to hell." I reply angrily, sitting back down onto the couch. I cross my arms, angry atthe information.

"What a selfish, pathetic excuse of a parent," I mumble. The officers ignore my little outburst and walkover to the door, ready to leave.

"If you need anything, anything at all, ring the number on the card." She points at the card in my handsand I nod. I watch as she turns towards Jake, her eyebrows raised -

"Stay out of trouble Jake," she says sternly, almost like a mother telling off her child. Jake chucklesquietly.

"I only get in trouble to see your pretty face Rachel," he winks at her causing the officer named Rachelto shake her head. The corner of her lips twitch into a small smile before she place her police hat backon and disappears out of the door.

"Nice work Muffin. Helen's face was priceless, I should have taken a picture of it." Jake smirks inamusement, leaning back against the wall.

"You seem to know them well."

The smirk on his face is quickly replaced with a sheepish look.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

I roll my eyes at him and stand up, walking out the room to get some breakfast. I need to drown myworries with sugar, lots of it. I hear Jake's footsteps behind me and he grabs my arm before pulling metowards him.

"Muffin, it's going to be okay. I promise." Jake whispers, searching into my eyes. I let out a small sigh,closing my eyes. I'm angry. Angry at Mum for wanting me to go home. She knows how Trevor abusesme but never stopped it. Jake senses the anger inside me and he gently pushes me back until I feel thewall greet me. His hand reaches up and he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear before placing a gentlekiss on my jawline in an effort to calm me down.

I like it when he does that.