Chapter 33 - The Arrest
Derek, fueled by the manic adrenaline of a cornered animal, made the worst decision of his life. He attempted to charge past Elias, throwing a wild, desperate punch with his free hand while clutching Maya.
Elias moved with a terrifying, fluid precision that belied his massive size. He easily deflected the clumsy strike, stepping inside Derek's guard. With infinite care, Elias reached out and scooped the crying infant securely out of Derek’s arm, tucking Maya safely against his own broad chest.
In the exact same continuous motion, Elias swept his right leg, sweeping Derek's feet out from under him.
Derek crashed violently onto the wet asphalt, all the breath knocked out of his lungs. Before he could even attempt to scramble away, Elias placed a heavy, unforgiving combat boot squarely in the center of Derek's chest, pinning him to the ground with crushing, absolute authority.
"Do not move," Elias commanded, sheltering Maya from the rain with his jacket.
Police sirens, real ones this time, converged on the alleyway from both ends. Two patrol cruisers screeched to a halt, boxing in the dark gray sedan. Uniformed officers poured out, weapons drawn.
"Hands where I can see them!" an officer shouted, running toward the scene.
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I burst through the emergency exit doors a moment later, my heart pounding in my throat. I ignored the police, running straight to Elias. He gently handed Maya to me. I buried my face in her soft hair, sobbing with overwhelming relief as I felt her tiny, safe heart beating against mine.
On the ground, Derek was violently hauled to his feet by the officers. The cold steel of the handcuffs locked around his wrists. He was caught red-handed attempting a kidnapping, violating a protective order, assaulting a court officer, and fleeing a facility. There was no charm left to save him.
