“Hands where I can see them!"
Liam lifts them. The tendons jump in his wrists. A cop steps in, efficient, pulls his elbows back, clicks metal. The sound is small and enormous.
“Mia?" Lucas says, still behind the officer because rules exist. “Say something."
“I'm here," she manages.
Liam twists his head. “Get out of my house," he snaps at Lucas. “You don't—"
“Sir," the officer warns. “Face the wall."
Liam faces the wall.
Another officer sweeps the room, flashlight bright. “Female, mid-twenties to thirties, visible head trauma," he calls. “Ambulance en route."
“I'm fine," Mia says on instinct, and the room tilts. Adrenaline pours out of her like the tide leaving.
Lucas takes a half-step, stops himself. “Can I—" he asks the nearest cop, voice wrecked.
The cop nods once. “Slow."
Luc
