Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“You saw Dan?”
He nodded. “Briefly.”
“Fucker,” I cursed.
Dom studied the branch, looked at the hood, and joined Maxx, who was checking out the tires. They stood. “Those tires were tampered with.”
“So was the branch,” Dom stated.
“How can you be sure?”
“I worked landscaping in my teens. Sometimes if a branch was broken enough, it simply needed encouragement to give way. I used to hang on to the limb above it and bounce on the broken one below until it snapped. When it gave way, I was safe, but the branch was on the ground. I’d climb down.” He shrugged with a grin. “Funner than using a saw.”
“And no noise for people to notice last night.”
“The tires were purposely cut. Probably a drill, used fast and sloppy to make it look like it blew. But these holes are deliberate.”
“And I have zero proof.”
My friends all nodded.
I tore off my beanie and scrubbed my head. “I’m getting sick and tired of this asshole. What was the point?”
“To inconvenience you,” Maxx muttered.
“Annoy you,” Stefano added.
“Cost you money. Piss you off,” Dom mused.
“Mission accomplished on all the above. Thank God you guys were around.”
Maxx laughed. “He hadn’t counted on that. He thought you’d be stranded.”
“I can’t prove it was him.”
“No. He’s good. But I’m afraid we can’t buff this one out, Chase. You’ll have to drive a company truck for a while.”
“Hannah wants to go to her chief with her suspicions.”
They looked at each other, then Stefano spoke. “It could backfire.”
“I know. I am hesitant.”
Dom rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful. “She could just go with the facts. Your run-ins. Him abusing his position.”
“But is he really? He’s a cop. I’m a convict. His word against mine.”
“You’re not a convict,” Maxx growled. “You made a fucking mistake, and it’s in the past. Stop letting him throw you back there. If Charly hears you talking like that, she’ll kick your ass.”
I smiled ruefully, knowing he was right.
“And he was purposely following you. Anyone else doing ten over the limit on that road would have been left alone. Same with you in the parking lot. He was trumping things up.”
“I’ll see what happens this week. If anything else odd occurs, I’ll go with Hannah and see her boss.” I was getting weary of this asshole ruining everything Hannah and I did together. Inserting himself without even being there. Destroying the memories of what should be happy days. It was getting on my nerves, and I wanted it to stop. I hated that it upset Hannah. I hated that it made me angry, and I worried about losing it and doing something I regretted, which I knew was what he wanted. He thought if he pushed me enough, I would make a mistake and blow up and somehow give him what he needed to show Hannah I was nothing but a screw-up. That he was the better guy for her.
But he was wrong. I was the right man for Hannah, and for her, I would remain calm. But it didn’t mean I wouldn’t fight back if I had the chance.
Maxx met my eyes. “We’ll be your character witnesses if needed. We’ve got your back, Chase.”
Stefano and Dom nodded in agreement. I had to swallow the lump in my throat before responding.
“Thanks.”
I glanced at my truck, hoping they wouldn’t be needed. That I wouldn’t have to go and talk to anyone. That the asshole didn’t have anything else planned.
Even though, deep in my heart, I knew he did.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Hannah
I carried my lunch outside, sitting at one of the picnic tables set up at the back of the station. Last night, Chase had been in charge of making lunches, and when I opened my container, I saw he’d added an extra something. I opened the slightly oddly shaped heart, reading his little note.
Have a good day.
Can’t wait to see you at home later.
Love you, Cinnamon.
Chase xx
I smiled, tucking the note into my pocket. He was sweet and wonderful. I picked up my sandwich, taking a bite and chewing it slowly. I had to admit, I wasn’t looking forward to going back on patrol tomorrow. But Martha was back, at least for now, and that was my job. I stared at the trees swaying in the wind, wondering if I had always wanted to be a cop because of my dad and keeping his memory alive somehow, rather than wanting to really be a cop. My passion had waned, and I wasn’t sure if it was still the lingering effects from the trauma or the fact that my life had changed so much.
Annette joined me at the picnic table, opening her lunch and chatting. “Hey, you. How’s it going?”
“Good.”
“How is that hunk of heaven you left the bar with? Still seeing him?”
I smiled. “He is actually my roommate, but yes, we’re a couple now too. He had just stepped in to get me away from Dan. It sort of changed our dynamic.”