The metal bars slammed, locking Phoebe, Eden, and Selena within the boxed cell. They still couldn’t believe they’d been taken to jail. They all glowered at the officers as they walked away with smirks on their faces. Each one of them seethed in her own right.

“I can’t even believe this shit,” Selena said, rubbing her wrists where the cuffs had been clamped too tight.

“When I’m done with them, they will never have a job again,” Eden added.

Phoebe sighed and shook her head. This was not how she expected to spend the day when she woke up this morning. All of her happiness had been temporarily stomped as she took in the entirety of their situation.

Selena turned her back to the cell and took an eye around the metal-like structure. Three other women sat in the back, one clearly a prostitute with her heavy makeup, mini skirt, see-through body-hugging top, six-inch heels, and 1980s styled hair. On the floor, a young lady looked like she was in another world as a haze covered her eyes, and she didn’t blink within the thirty seconds Phoebe watched her. The lady next to her stared back at Selena, Phoebe, and Eden; wondering what they’d done to be thrown into the slammer.

“Hey,” the third girl who sat on the floor chimed, “you’re the Rose sisters!”

Phoebe groaned. This would surely make headlines, and she could kick herself for not remembering to come out of the wedding dress.

“I’m sorry, you guys,” Phoebe said.

Selena and Eden frowned over at her.

“This is not your fault, so don’t even start,” Selena said with Eden agreeing.

“Yes, it is,” Phoebe retorted. “I should’ve just went with my gut and stayed with our customary bridal shop.”

“That woman knows you can pay for this dress. That’s why she stumbled all over herself trying to make the sale,” Selena said.

“Even so, if we would’ve gone to Miranda’s, she wouldn’t have called the police on us.”

Eden and Selena pursed their lips, and Selena crossed her arms. It was true, but that was beside the point.

“Does anyone of you have a lighter?” the scantily dressed woman asked.

They all stared at her with one eyebrow hitched.

“Where would we happen to have a lighter?” Selena asked.

The woman shrugged. “There are plenty of places to hide it. I’m sure you know that.”

Eden rolled her eyes.

“How long do you think we’re going to be in here?” Phoebe asked, turning her head to whisper. The question was directed at Selena and Eden, but the scantily dressed woman answered.

“As slow as they move, probably twenty-four hours. By then you would’ve been searched, so if you have anything on you,” the scantily dressed woman paused then continued, “you better give it up now. Like say, a lighter?”

“What exactly do you plan to light?” Selena asked. Either this girl was delusional, or she really planned to set the cell on fire.

The scantily dressed woman smiled and stuck her hand between her legs and pulled out what appeared to be a loose cigarette.

“I just need a hit,” she said.

The women all scrunched their lips, and their faces turned into a scribbling mask.

“Oh my God…” Phoebe sang.

“We’ve got to get out of here,” Eden said. “If she finds a way to light that thing, I’ll die.”

“Besides that, they’re going to search us,” Phoebe said.

Phoebe couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to be stripped of your privileges and examined like a criminal with no basic human rights. In fact, the thought made her lawyer intuition kick in, giving Phoebe another reason to create a bill to pass for people who were locked up that didn’t have a record or was a first-time offender. In this day and age, shit happens; everyone didn’t come to jail with the thoughts of smuggling something in.

“I take it none of you have ever been strip-searched before,” the scantily dressed woman said. By their silence, she smiled. “Oh, how adorable. You’ll be all right. Here, I’ll show you how it’s done, so you’ll be prepared.” The woman took a step forward, and Selena planted her hands on her hips.

“Don’t even think about it,” she said.

The woman paused her forward progress. “Okay, you don’t know me. It’s understandable that you would act that way. I’m Blaire by the way, this here is Carey.” Blaire pointed to the woman on the floor who looked like she was high on something. “Pay her no mind. When we came in last night, Carey was so geeked-out, she was talking to herself in that corner right there.”

Blaire laughed, finding Carey’s predicament extremely funny.

“Anyway, she’s coming down off it now, and she’ll probably pass out in a minute or so. But here, what I’ll do is show you with Carey how your strip search will go.”

Blaire reached down and pulled at Carey, trying to get her up on her feet.

“That’s not necessary,” Selena said.

“No,” Phoebe and Eden agreed.

“Oh, it’s no problem,” Blaire proceeded, continuing to pull the poor woman to a stand. “Carey doesn’t mind at all. Do you, Carey?”

Carey mumbled, but none of them understood what she said. Blaire looked back at them. “She doesn’t mind,” Blaire whispered with a wink.

When Carey was finally stable on her feet, Blair positioned her feet apart, making her legs stretch. “Okay, Carey, I need you to squat.”

Carey didn’t move; instead, she wobbled like she was going to hit the floor. Blaire glanced over at Selena, Phoebe, and Eden, “She just needs a little coaching is all.”

“Blaire, we appreciate your concern but really, you shouldn’t have. We can imagine that a strip search is exactly that,” Selena said.

“Well,” Blaire whispered, “if you have any contraband, like say, a lighter,” she continued to press, “the guard will make you squat, like this.” Blair squatted with her feet apart. “Then he’ll make you cough, so if you do have something, it’ll fall out. Now if you’ve got strong pussy muscles like me, then it doesn’t matter what they do. They can ask you to take a shit, you’re still going to hold that lighter clamped against those walls, you know.” Blaire shook her head. “They think they can get anything to drop out that way, and don’t get me wrong, they can with most, but I smuggle shit in every time.” Blaire cleared her throat. “Just last week when they caught me with my trick on 38th and Fairmount, I stuck a round of quarters in my pussy.” Blaire shrugged. “I’d just gotten paid and the john only had change wrapped in that damn bank paper. They never found it either. Hell, I’ve hidden dicks the size of Alaska in this poo-tang, forget about a round of quarters.”

“Oh my God, I think I’m going to be sick,” Eden said.

“Anyway, you all should be all right, but they will probably tear up that pretty wedding dress trying to get you out of it. Sorry.”

Phoebe shuddered, and Selena felt her vibrate beside her.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m sure we’ll be out of here before any of that takes place, and your dress will be fine,” Selena reassured.

Phoebe glanced at her then back to Blaire. “Damn this dress,” she said. “I’m more worried about the strip search. I can’t wear this gown on my wedding day now. It’s been totally ruined, and on top of that, when my Quentin does get here, he’ll see me in it. I’m going to Miranda’s, where I should’ve gone initially.”

Phoebe turned to her sister. Eden looked physically sick like at any moment she would regurgitate everything she’d had for breakfast. Selena saw it, too, and she reached around Phoebe and caressed her arm.

“Are you okay?” Selena asked.

Eden trembled slightly. “We have to get out of here.” Eden turned around and shouted through the metal bars. “Hey! Don’t we get a phone call?!”

“I’m sure Jasmine has called our cavalry by now,” Phoebe said.

“Well, what’s taking them so long to get here then!?” Eden snapped.

“We haven’t been here twenty minutes,” Phoebe responded.

“Five minutes is enough!” Eden screeched.

An officer traipsed up to the cell, and the door buzzed and opened.

“It looks like you don’t need a phone call, Ms. Rose,” the officer said. “Your bail has been made.”

“Oh, thank God.” Eden exhaled. She stepped out of the cell, and Phoebe followed her.

“Not you, just her,” the officer said.

Aghast, Eden turned back. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The officer cajoled. “I’m just yanking ya chain. All three of you are free to go.”

The ladies all sighed collectively, and the officer laughed. They all cut their eyes at him and left the cell so fast you’d think a murderer was after them.

“You bitches are sooo lucky!” Blaire yelled from inside the cell. Blaire walked to the bars and shouted through them. “If you see a guy outside in a yellow raincoat, tell him to tell Marlon to hurry up, it’s getting cold in here!”

“A yellow raincoat?” Phoebe said, speaking to Selena.

“Don’t even try and figure it out,” Selena said.

As soon as the women were up front, they were greeted individually. Phoebe took off as soon as she spotted Quentin, and he was right there to scoop her up. At his side was Derek James Clark, their fraternity brother, best friend, and Eden’s crush. Eden blushed but didn’t run up to him like she wanted to. Their relationship was still developing on the down-low.

When Selena locked eyes with Jordan, a thrill of unexpected pleasure roamed down her spine. His sharp gaze and masculine features sat strong as he accelerated his walk to get to her. When they met, Jordan’s thick arms encircled her petite frame, and with a brushing caress, he palmed her back, pressing Selena closer into him. Selena shuddered from the possessive grip of his claim, and her hefty bosom settled comfortably in the strength of his heavy embrace as his brown eyes bore into her.

“Are you all right?” his deep voice thundered.

Selena pressed her plump lips together and swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you for getting me out. I expected my father to post bail while chastising me at the same time.” Selena chuckled.

Jordan tilted his head. “No offense to your father, but he’s not quick enough.”

Selena blushed. “How much was it? I can pay you back when I get paid on Friday.”

Jordan didn’t respond immediately then he smirked. “I don’t think I broke the bank, baby girl.” When Selena went to protest, Jordan hushed her with a breathtaking kiss to her lips.

Swept away, Selena’s eyes faltered as Jordan’s manly lips sank deeper against her mouth, his probing tongue invading her cove, snatching the air between her lungs only to give it back in a rushing breath. Selena shuddered again as a raging warmth cascaded over her skin and curdled in her gut before trailing straight down to her sex. With a mind of their own, Selena’s hands trailed up Jordan’s biceps and shoulders before coming to a comfortable rest around his neck. They’d been transported completely away from the precinct in a world where only they resided.

“Mmmm…” The deep throttle came from Jordan. He spoke against her hot mouth. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day,” he murmured.

“Yeah,” Selena said, “me too.”

They rested their foreheads against each other before Jordan kissed her on her cheek then glanced up at the officers standing around gawking at them. Straightening up, Jordan coached Selena to his side as he squared off his thick masculine shoulders and switched into attorney mode.

“Where’s the chief of police?” his dark voice bellowed.

Selena squirmed beside him, and she wondered if Jordan felt it. Just the sound of his voice revved her in ways that should be against the law. The officer Jordan posed his question to shifted on his feet, and his eyes darted around.

“Get him on the line, now,” Jordan barked.

“I don’t have his number,” the officer said, and a few others snickered.

Jordan stared at the officers for another long second then smiled. “I see. It’s a good thing I have him on speed dial then. It’s such a shame that his officers don’t have direct communication with him. I’ll be sure to let him know you guys lost the number,” he stated sarcastically.

The amusement on all of their faces dropped, and Jordan pulled out his cell phone and hit a button. The name Chief Fletcher appeared across the screen before Jordan put the phone to his ear. The arm that was wrapped around Selena pressed against her skin as Jordan held her possessively. Selena bit down on her bottom lip and wallowed in the feel of his strong embrace and the simple way he cuddled her with his massive hands.

“Good morning, Jordan,” Chief Fletcher answered, “or maybe I should say good afternoon since it’s after twelve. I was just telling the missus I have a golf date with your father this afternoon. What can I do you for?”

 Jordan’s voice was stern and straightforward when he spoke.

“Chief Fletcher, this call is a personal one, but not in the way you might think. I’m standing in your downtown precinct because your officers dragged my sisters and someone near and dear to my heart down here like they were criminals.”

Jordan’s voice seethed with a hot ferment that let the chief know Jordan was not pleased or amused. Plastered against his side, Selena blushed at Jordan’s sentiment; someone near and dear to my heart rang through her ears on replay.

“Not only that, but an eyewitness has informed me that they were manhandled when being put inside the police cruiser. You’re up for re-election next year, correct?”

“Ah— yes, son, I am.”

“It would be such a shame if the city of Chicago found out your officers were roughhousing women. It would also be a shame if they knew your officers didn’t even have your number where you can be reached. How could you provide for the city if you don’t have simple contact with your detectives?” Before the chief could respond, Jordan continued, “That was rhetorical.”

Jordan paused for a long moment. “I hate talking in circles, Chief. So, I hope you’re hearing me good. I WILL sue this entire department from the head down to the little guy sitting at the security booth for disrespecting my family. YOU will never see another term again if this doesn’t get resolved. And before you talk about threats, I’ll be clear to let you know, THIS is one.”

Chief Fletcher had gone quiet, and Jordan let him mull it over without saying another word. Jordan was certain the chief heard him. Everyone in the room had, including Quentin and Derek, who stood brooding like bulls right beside Jordan.

“I’ll take care of it, son,” Chief Fletcher assured.

Jordan disconnected the line and glanced back down at Selena. He cupped the oval curvature of her chin, letting his gaze roam over her brown skin with a searing intensity.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

Selena licked her lips. “Yes,” she said.

“You would tell me if they hurt you, wouldn’t you?”

“Um,” Selena stammered. She wasn’t used to being looked after by anyone other than her parents. Her pause made Jordan’s jaw lock, and he cut his eyes at the officers. “Yes,” she finally said. “I wouldn’t take shit from anyone, police officers included.”

Jordan knew Selena wasn’t one to hold her tongue, but her hesitance made him wonder if she was telling him the truth. Jordan would find out soon enough.

“How’s Samiyah?” Selena asked.

Jordan released the glare he held on the officers and looked down into the crescent of her sultry eyes. “Still in labor.” He glanced back at them with an expression that made Selena think he would rip their heads off one by one.

She slipped her hand up his chest, bringing his attention back down to her. His gaze warmed as it settled on her face again.

“Let’s go to the hospital. That’s where we should be.”

Jordan nodded, and they all turned to leave the premises. Outside, the windchill was unforgiving as it lashed against their faces and tornadoed around them. When Selena, Phoebe, and Eden glanced around and spotted a guy standing off to the side in a yellow raincoat, they all balked.

“No way…” Phoebe said.

This made Selena laugh. The men turned to the women with questionable stares.

“Hold on for a second,” Selena said to Jordan. She tried to walk off, but his grip tightened. She looked back at him and stroked his arm. “Just a quick second.” He eventually released her, and she quickly walked up to the man.

“Excuse me.”

The man glanced at her with a thin toothy grin.

“Blaire told me to tell you to tell Marlon to hurry up. It’s getting cold in there.”

The man’s smile faltered, and he shook his head.

“Thank you,” the man said.

“No problem.” Selena chuckled then turned to walk off.

“Miss,” the man yelled after her.

Selena peered back over her shoulder.

“You wouldn’t happen to have a lighter, would ya?”