An hour later, Riley sat on a hard plastic chair in the police station, staring at the fluorescent lights. His head ached with a rhythmic throbbed. He was seventeen, and for the first time in his life, he was in a police station __ not because he was a criminal , but because he'd tried to be a hero.
To his left, Liam sat perfectly straight, looking as calm as if he were sitting in a luxury lounge rather than a precinct. He caught Riley looking and flashed a bright , reassuring smile.
The fluorescent lights hummed above them, a sharp contrast to the suffocating silence between them .
One by one, they were called into a small side room to give their statements.
Riley went first.
He told the truth—or at least, the version of the truth that was survivable. He talked about the bullying, the manager's indifference and his own attempt to intervene. He did not mention the terrifying precision with which Liam had wielded the broken bottle.
When he stepped back into the waiting area, his hands were trembling.
Then it was Liam's turn.
He walked into the interrogation room with his head bowed, shoulders slightly hunched—the perfect picture of a shaken victim. When he emerged ten minutes later, the officers looked at him with unmistakable pity.
"Alright," the sergeant said, leaning over the front desk. "Statements are filed. But you're both minors. We can't release you until a legal guardian comes to sign the paperwork."
Another Problem.
"Officer, I can't call at home."
The sergeant sighed, unmoved. " You can call your relatives.Regulations are regulations, kid. No guardian, no release."
" I don't have any."
Riley slumped back into the hard plastic chair, his head in his hands. He felt a shadow fall over him. He looked up to see Liam standing there, looking worried.
"You're worried," Liam stated. It wasn't a question.
"I can't call home." Riley admitted, his voice cracking. "My mom... she can't handle this. And there's no one else.
Liam tilted his head and sat beside him, leaning in close enough that Riley could smell the faint scent of vanilla underneath the smell of the bar's smoke.
"Don't worry ." Liam said gently, "Since we're friends now, I'll take care of it."
Riley blinked. "Take care of it how?"
"My brother is already on his way," Liam replied cheerfully . "He'll act as the guardian for both of us. I'll tell the police you're my cousin __or a family friend. They won't question it once they see who he is."
Riley hesitated. "But... we just met. Why would you help me?"
Liam smiled, eyes glinting with something unreadable. He reached out and patted Riley's arm in a strangely comforting gesture.
"We're friends," he said lightly. "Friends help each other. You helped me back there, didn't you? Now let me help you. Just trust me."
Riley knew he shouldn't trust someone so unpredictable, but there was a familial warmth in Liam's gaze that he hadn't felt in years aside from his family .He nodded slowly.
He decided to trust him just this once.
A women stormed inside the police station,heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. She grabbed the nearest officer by the arm.
"How dare you lock my son in cell ?" She shrieked. "Release him immediately! "
"Ma'am, please calm down," the officer said. "You need to tell us who you're—"
" Mom !" Rider voice echoed from the holding cell. "I am here . Get me out of this place ."
The woman rushed toward the cell. When she saw the bruises on Rider's face, she gasped dramatically.
"My poor baby," she cried. "What have they done to you?"
She turned sharply. "I am Sara Thompson. And the boy you've detained is the heir of the Thompson family. One phone call from me and every one of you will lose your jobs."
The Thompson family—millionaires with shallow political ties. Big fish in a small pond.
" Ma'am ," the officer said carefully. "We can't release him. We have witnesses. Your son attempted to assault staff and a minor at the bar. "
" Witnesses? " Sarah scoffed ."Where?
Sara's eyes scanned the station like a hawk, finally landing on Riley, who was still in his uniform. She marched toward them, her heels clicking aggressively. She pointed a manicured finger at Riley.
"It's you, isn't it? You slut! You dare frame my son?"
Riley opened his mouth. "Ma'am, I—"
"Shut up!" she snapped. "You tried to seduce my son. When he rejected you, you framed him!"
" Officer just look at him ," She continued ." This trash is clearly lying. Arsset him. "
"Ma'am," the officer said firmly ." He is a witness. The victim is right beside him."
" That one?" Sara sneered, pointing at Liam. "He looks like a whore."
" Ma'am! Watch your tongue. " Riley said sternly.
Rider shouted from the cell," Mom ! They are the ones who hit me."
Sara's face twisted with fury." You dared lay hands on my son."
" Call your parents . Right now." I see if they can afford the consequences of laying a hand on Thompson."
" Don't involve them. " Riley said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
" Call them," Sara seethed. " Unless they are dead. They would be groveling at my feet by the time I am done with you."
Riley can take everything else and ignored it but he couldn't take anything about his parents, " You can't talk about my parents like that and it was your son who is clearly at fault. You should teach your son correctly. " ,he said with anger.
Sara raised her hand, eyes blazing. "How dare you lecture me? Clearly your parents never taught you manners. I'll teach you myself."
She swung.
Riley saw the hand coming. He didn't move and closed his eyes, bracing for the familiar sting on his cheek—
It never came.