“Shh,” Harmon says in my ear, still holding on. “I’ve got you, baby, it’s okay. Let it out. Let it all out.”
My shoulders shake, and I try to form more words to explain why I’m so upset, but I can’t. I’m mad about so many things, but nothing will come out. It’s so overwhelming.
The tears finally stop, but I’m still hyperventilating. My throat hurts. Harmon runs his fingers through my hair, right here at my side, being an amazing support.
“I spoke to your sister,” he says.
“You d-did?” I ask, tugging up my shirt to wipe my face. I know it’s gross, but what other option do I have? That’s when I notice it’s ripped along the hem on the bottom.
“Cammy called me before you did.”
“Of course she did.” I huff a laugh and wipe my eyes again, noting it burns when I do. I pull down the visor and look in the mirror. There are scratches along my face and one on my lip.
“Did they take photos of those?” he asks.
“Yeah, they did.”
“We will take more, just in case.” His fingers still brush through my hair. “Are you okay?” His voice is so gentle, so soothing…
“No,” I say honestly. “But I will be.”
Nodding, he shifts in his seat and puts his seatbelt on.
“Do you want to come back to my place or go home?”
“Um,actually… I know it’s a lot to ask, but maybe you could come to my place with me? Just for a little while, I—”
“Cassius, yes. Of course I will.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
“Oh—” He reaches into his pocket. “I have something of yours.” He offers me his hand, the empty one. “Give me your hand.” I do, and he slides the watch onto my wrist.
“You—how did you get this?”
“The officer had it. They said you were screaming about it, so they took it with them.”
I stare down at it, running my finger across the face that now has a small scratch.
“She yanked it off, and I lost my shit. She would have taken it to sell, and I—”
Harmon gives me a soft smile. “You have it now. That’s what matters.”
“But it’s scratched.”
“Good thing you know the person who makes them.”
“But you said this is retired. You said it’s the only one you have.”
Harmon smiles. “Just trust me.”
“I—” I let out a sharp breath and sink into my seat. “Okay.”
He puts the car in drive, and we head to my apartment.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Cassius