Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina looked at Jimmy standing by the door and he was about to pull out his weapon. She saw some other guys and girls pulling out their weapons too. She shook her head gesturing them to not do that, but she had no hope that they'll listen.

This won't end up good if it continues!

At that moment, she heard more vehicles with sirens arriving and from the shouts directed at them, Jerlina could infer that the anti-riot police officers have arrived.

Really? To arrest little ol' me?

Heh!

As someone who has followed the law to the T, Jerlina knew the best way to handle this situation is to follow the cops to the police station and stay there silent waiting for her one phone call. She can then call a lawyer and let the lawyer do the talking. 

But is this a general arrest?

  Jeremy has told her that the police station in this area does not come under his turf but it is very close to Viper's territory. She knew of the cops who are in the side of Jeremy and none of them are here.

Are they even cops?

"Name and badge number?" Jerlina tried to ask but her head was pressed on the wall and it hurt. She lost hope for a moment as she got treated like a thug. She never had brush-ins with the law enforcement officers and since this is the first time this happens to her, it made her confused and scared.

She could infer that someone of a higher position is behind this. Without an order from the higher-ups, the cops won't act this brazen with her. And if they brought reporters, it should be to cause the downfall of Jeremy. 

Or to get back at Joel for something? Or to coerce him... for say, get millions in donations..?

Is the senator behind this? Or the local congressman?

  Or it could be Gerard's parents?

Hmm... there is always that possibility.

But the truth is on my side. I never hit anyone! I will fight this as Joel asked me to! I know Joel will come for me!

"Hands off our Luna," Jimmy stepped to the front and a gang formed around him and they were willing to fight with the cops. The anti-riot officers were asking everyone to be calm in the speakers. 

Jerlina saw the camera crew pulling the reporter behind them as she got scared.

She knew how this reporter will play this.

And she knew what she has to do to contain this situation. People are agitated to the maximum and one little push or shove will start a riot. 

She would be safe but with the anti-riot cops here, Jeremy's people will be the ones who'd get hurt.

Who knows where that riot will lead to.

Ugh! Someone planned this all perfectly! Did they anticipate my next move too? If so, what is waiting for me?

"Stay calm, everyone!" Jerlina raised her voice and the entire place calmed down. "Let go," her voice was crisp as she ordered the officer and got out of his grasp.

Within some seconds the entire place became calm and even the anti-riot officers seemed to be stunned as she heard someone exclaiming without turning off the speaker.

Yeah, my words have more power around here, officers... Sorry!

"I never hit anyone and the cops must be mistaken," Jerlina hid all her doubts in he heart and spoke in a calm, confident tone. "Get me a lawyer, and inform my husband of my arrest along with the names of these officers who are taking me. Someone should know their names, right? Are they even officers or impersonators?" she asked.

She by now inferred that the news program isn't live although they were recording. A lot of times, the cameras were pointed down and that won't happen during a live feed. She understood that they are going to record the arrest and broadcast it at their own convenience.

And that means it would follow their narration. No matter what happens here, the news station will make the story according to their script.

So why bother with them?

They will call me a thug's wife anyway! 

And I am a thug's wife. A very lovely thug's wife!

But I have to protect our people.

These people are standing in front of cops not minding their own lives.

"That's Melrose...He is a cop. His son plays soccer with my son..."

"That one's Jones...His father was an officer too. His brother works in the gas station..." 

"And isn't the one with the camera Hutchingson's grandson? Eli..? How is your mother?"

Replies came from the crowd and Jerlina noticed the officers getting scared. Their faces got pale and they stopped trying to grab her.

That's right! Think of your families before touching me.

Jerlina knew what she is doing can be considered as threatening the officers but she didn't care.

She is the thug's wife! She has no laws to follow! And she has all the money in the world to hire top attorneys and with her husband's influence she can get out scot-free even if she actually murdered someone.

"Right... So they are one of us and they live among us. They are here to do their job. Let's not cause any trouble and let the officers do their duty, eh?" Jerlina said with a smile of a caring mother. 

Did you hear? I was talking for the officers; not against them. I am a law-abiding citizen.

The situation came to control almost immediately as Jeremy's people had to obey her command. Jerlina saw Jimmy calling Jeremy and she sighed in relief. 

She wouldn't have disturbed him if it was a simple issue, not when Bobby needs support, but this calls for his presence.

Her heart didn't feel right. And she was scared. 

"Please...follow us, Ms. Hopkins."

The officers didn't even bother to speak harshly with her anymore and led her to their car. Jerlina who has never seen the back of a police vehicle grumbled in her heart. And seeing all those officers in black with all sorts of equipment, she scoffed.

Have I gotten that important? My arrest causes riots!

Wait... why am I getting happy about this?

Idiot! 

-----

Jerlina refused to go inside the interrogation room and insisted that she waits in the waiting area. She said she'd co-operate as long as she is not in an enclosed space because she gets anxiety attacks in small enclosed rooms (which was a lie).

Outside the police station were Jeremy's people and the townsfolk of Peyton waiting around for the moment she'd be set free. 

The lawyer hasn't arrived yet and Jerlina felt assured hearing the shouts of the people who came for her. They were shouting profanities against the cops, but eh, they are her people and she felt safe with them near her.

Even if someone has planned something, they wouldn't dare to involve this many people. 

There is strength in numbers after all.

And she is in police custody. If something happens to her, it would become an issue.

But still...

Joel... I am scared.