Chapter 258

“Anthony? What are you doing here?” Andrew’s face drained of color and he stumbled back, suddenly feeling very small. He hadn’t called Anthony. He was sure of it.
Anthony’s cold eyes barely lingered on him before sliding over to Dennis and the police officer. The second Dennis met that icy stare, his heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He’d only been trying to mess with Charlotte, not Andrew. Had Andrew actually gone to Anthony for help because of Charlotte? And even crazier, Anthony had really shown up.
“Anthony, sir the officer stammered. In Cabinda, almost everyone knew Anthony on sight, and this cop was no different. The moment Anthony walked in, it all clicked -Anthony and Andrew were brothers. When Henry Dean called earlier, he’d only mentioned his son being in a little trouble, asked for a favor. He never said anything about the Blair family being involved.
The officer’s knees nearly gave out. His mind raced, panicked. He rushed to explain, “Anthony, this has nothing to do with Andrew. Charlotte’s the one who hurt these people. I promise, I’ll handle this by the book!”
As soon as he finished, the tension in the room grew thick and heavy. The officer’s breath caught. Did he just say something wrong? Wasn’t Anthony here to defend Andrew?
“Call Henry Dean,” Anthony said, voice like ice. His eyes landed on Dennis, the look in them enough to make anyone freeze. “Tell him he has ten minutes.”
Nobody in their right mind would cross the Blair family. The officer didn’t waste a second. He pulled out his phone and dialed Henry Dean.
Anthony moved to the sofa, sat down, and crossed his legs, looking every bit in control. He glanced up, his voice gentler. “Come sit.”
Andrew blinked, confused. Was Anthony actually talking to him? Was he really being told to sit, not kneel?
Still suspicious and a little scared, Andrew took a cautious step forward. But before he could get any closer, Charlotte, who’d been quiet and unreadable this whole time, walked right past him and sat down next to Anthony like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Let me see your hand.” Anthony reached for Charlotte’s hand, his touch surprisingly gentle. When he saw how swollen her wrist was, his eyes grew even darker.
Andrew’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Anthony was actually holding Charlotte’s hand. Was he hallucinating from that earlier fight? Maybe he dit his head harder than he thought There was no way this was real.
“Hello?” Henry Dean picked up the call while he was already racing toward the station. When he heard what the officer was saying, his hands shook so badly he almost It
moment to get enough breat to ask, “Who did you say is there?”
dropped the phone
het
“Anthony,” the officer answered. “I thought it was just some girl, that Andrew wasn’t involved. I had no idea it would turn out like this. Henry can’t help you with this. You have to come deal witbit yourself.”
“Some girl?” Henry Dean frowned hard. Suddenly, Charlotte’s face flashed in his mind and he blurted out, “Is her name Charlotte?”
“Henry, how did you know?”
Henry Dean felt like he’d just been struck by lightning. He was done for. When he finally managed to steady himself, he asked, voice quivering, “Is she hurt?”
“Her wrist is swollen,” the officer said, sounding extra careful now. “Looks like your son did it.”
Henry Dean’s hand shook so badly the phone slipped from his grip and clattered to the floor. His face turned ghostly pale. That idiot of a son-why would he go and mess with Charlotte again?
“Drive faster he muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead, trying his best to pull himself together. His voice still trembled.