EPOV
"Miss Swan, can you tell me what you saw tonight?" The Port Angeles Police Chief, Paul Lahote asks.
"I was talking with Jasper in the hall when I saw three of the junior varsity players, Riley Biers, Tyler Crowley, and I think his name is Demetri Samuels coming out of the entrance of the locker rooms. About ten minutes later, Royce King charged out," Bella explained.
"We had a police report filed by the Kings almost a month ago saying you broke Royce King's nose, is that incident correct Miss Swan?"
"How is that relevant?" I ask.
"Alistair King said Chief Swan refused to file charges—"
"The school and witnesses ruled the incident an accident," I inform him, annoyed. "You are here to take Ms. Swan's statement pertaining to the incident regarding Miss Hale's assault, as well as her own complaint of assault against Mr. King."
He glares at me.
"It's important to make sure all the facts are presented. Miss Swan saw all four boys leaving the entrance of the locker rooms. They could have been in the boy's locker room; there are no security cameras near the locker rooms for us to see," he finishes.
"Yes, I agree, however, shouldn't you be taking her statement exactly as she tells you what she witnessed and let the rape kit prove who was involved?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Miss Swan is noted for having a vendetta against Mr. King and a history of alcohol abuse—"
"I think it's best that Ms. Swan give her statement to an officer of the Seattle Police Department once they have jurisdiction of the case."
"Mr. Masen, Seattle P.D. hasn't been notified yet."
"I believe Chief Swan has already notified them."
He frowns.
That's right, fucker, I know exactly who you are working for.
"As of now, this is my investigation," he grits out.
"I'm well aware that there is a conflict of interest with your department handling this case," I tell him.
"Fine, we can hold Miss Swan's statement until we determine who has jurisdiction over the case," Chief Lahote concedes.
He gets up leaving the conference room my uncle let him use for privacy.
"That guy was a fucking asshole," I say once the door closes.
"This is why I didn't want to say anything," Bella mumbles looking at her hands.
"Hey," I say gently, crooking my finger under her chin so she'll look at me. "The Kings are small town and think they can pay off and own everyone in this small town. Once Seattle gets involved no mercy will be shown."
"How are you so sure?"
"I've seen things like this interning for my grandfather's firm. Not this exact case, but entitled guys thinking they can get away with abusing women. Since the Me Too movement, the outcome doesn't look too good for the predator," I explain trying to reassure her.
"I should have had Jazz take me to the hospital as soon as it happened—" she pauses looking up at me. "You know for a rape kit."
I sweep the hair that is down over her shoulder so I can make sure I have her attention.
"There is no right or wrong way to deal with sexual assault. Unfortunately, the system put into place to help survivors is fucked, but due to King thinking he could get away with what he has done, he has left a trail of victims, and now evidence," I say rubbing her back.
She nods moving into my arms and lap. I kiss her forehead hoping for the best for her and these girls, because they still have a fight ahead of them.
A soft knock at the door bursts our little bubble.
My aunt's head pops in, she shoots me a sad smile when she sees Bella clinging to me. "Esme is here," I murmured.
She turns her face from my neck so she can see my aunt.
"Chief Lahote went to find Charlie; he didn't seem too happy," Esme says, taking the seat Bella was in before moving to my lap.
"Chief Lahote has an agenda," I say easily.
She sighs.
"Bradford Hale would like to speak to you Bella when you have a moment," Esme says, running her fingers through Bella's hair.
"Now?" Bella asks in a mumble.
"When you're ready?"
"When can we go home?"
"The detective from Seattle won't be here until the morning, your dad said the transfer paperwork is still going through the proper channels."
"Lahote didn't know Chief Swan contacted the Seattle P.D.," I tell Esme.
"Bradford asked that your dad stay on to oversee the transition of the reports to Seattle," she explains looking at Bella.
Bella remains quiet in my hold.
"Can she talk to him in the morning?" I ask.
Esme contemplates my request but in the end, nods her agreement.
"Take her back to the house, I don't want her alone," she tells me. "Your car's out in the lot."
"Okay," I say with a nod.
Bella had been the last to be questioned, Jazz and Tanya had left the hospital close to an hour ago. I did as Charlie said and sat through each statement, Bella was the only one Lahote tried to lead in giving her statement, but it was obvious he thought she was his weakest link. He grossly underestimates her.
I help Bella off my lap, she lets Esme pull her into a tight hug while she whispers how proud she is of her.
Bella stays close to me as we leave the hospital, I see Lahote near the entrance outside the hospital talking to Alistair King. I saw him at the football game earlier screaming at his son's failures.
I could see the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Alistair's cool gaze locks on Bella as we pass and make our way to my SUV. I was appreciative that my aunt brought it to the hospital for me.
"Can I stay with you?" Bella asks once I help buckle her in.
I think about Esme giving me an earful if she doesn't find her in the guest room. After a minute of deliberation, I decide that getting lectured is worth it for her comfort.
"Yeah, you can stay with me," I tell her while pulling out of the lot.
The drive to my aunt and uncle's house isn't long, I pull into my usual space in the driveway noticing the downstairs lights are on, but the upstairs ones are off. Tanya probably went to bed and left the lights on for her parents.
As I help Bella out of my SUV, she huddles close to me as we walk across the yard to the pool house.
"Let me get you something to change into," I say, stepping away to grab some clothes from my drawer.
I see her from the corner of my eye pulling at the hairband holding half of her hair up. It looked painful, so once I had clothes for her I let my fingers rub the top of her head.
"Beauty is pain," she says with a wry smile.
"I hope not too much pain, because you sure are beautiful," I tell her teasingly.
She snorts.
I feel relieved that I can give her at least some levity.
I watch her while she pulls on the zipper of the side of her dress. I turn my head away to give her privacy, but she places her hand on the side of my face directing my focus on her.
"Shower with me," she says, her eyes almost pleading with me.
"Bella, I don't think that's a good idea," I tell her.
"Please, I don't want to be alone," she whispers, running her hand along my jaw.
I don't say anything but she starts to pull her straps down until her dress pools around her feet. Her nipples are puckered and rosy from the cool air. My hands find her hips and I let them rest there until she's pulling the hem of my thermal up.
"I don't want sex, I just want to feel close to you," she says unbuttoning my jeans.
I let my thumbs hook into the elastic of her thong and I pull them down. She then kicks off her heels as I kick my shoes and pants off.
"Should have started the shower first," I say moving around her to my bathroom.
I fiddle with the shower for a minute to get the water warm.
Her hands run over my back while I'm adjusting the faucets.
"Do you know this is the first time I've showered with a guy?" she says.
"Oh yeah?" I ask turning around, finding her hips again and backing us into the shower.
She's looking up at me as the water cascades over us. "I first had sex when I was fifteen, like it was the worst, pretty sure Jared didn't know his holes."
I snicker but wince because that couldn't have been enjoyable.
"After that first time I always thought I'd have horror stories to share about crazy sex shenanigans, I never thought I'd be sexually assaulted but..."
"Do you think your relationship with sex has changed?" I ask, pulling her to me.
She lays her ear over my heart, contemplating what I just said.
"After, I tried it with Jazz—" she says trailing off before gathering what to say. "I was so in my head that I couldn't, but I do like to feel good."
"Finished the job yourself?" I ask.
"When I was alone, I did… I get worked up sometimes," she says, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"How worked up?" I ask softly.
"Very worked up, like I need to be touched," she murmurs. "It can get overwhelming."
I let my thumbs brush her hip bones.
She tugs on my neck until my mouth is hovering over hers. I take her bottom lip between my teeth, she pulls back so I release her lip but smash her mouth into mine. I let her push me into the tile.
"I thought this was just a shower?" I ask, raising a brow.
"It is," she says, bringing her arms down patting my chest.
"Is it?" I gesture to my obvious erection.
She drops her face to my chest with a dry laugh.
I hold her even though it's uncomfortable. Her hand snakes down between us, her grip tightens around me. I gently take her hand in mine, pulling her off me.
"As good as that feels, I don't think now's the time," I say, kissing the side of her head. "Mind smelling like me?" I ask, holding up my soap.
She shakes her head with a small smile.
We take turns washing each other until the water cools, she steps out with a squeal and I let it cool me down.
She pulls my sweatpants up sans her thong and my t-shirt over her head. I drop my towel and grab a pair of sweatpants for myself.
She climbs into bed first I follow.
Our legs tangled as she cuddles into me, "I'm sorry about earlier," she says looking up at me.
"Sorry for what?" I ask rubbing her back.
"That I got you worked up," she responds.
"Doesn't take much," I joke.
She laughs rubbing my chest where her head rests.
She's quiet for a minute and I think she's sleeping until she speaks. "When I close my eyes I see Rosalie's broken face."
"Do you need me to call Carlisle, maybe he can get you something to help you sleep," I suggest.
"No, I think I'll be okay— you help," she says, nuzzling my chest. "Will you be by my side in the morning?"
"Yes, you won't be able to get rid of me," I tell her.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"Being a great guy," she says, placing a kiss over my heart.
I answer by giving her head a kiss.
I hope and need to help her in any way I can.
A/N: Thanks to the people reviewing. Next chapter we hear from Bella. Huge thanks to CoppertopJ for her edits!