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“Still the greasy place we remember. Mom wasn’t there, though I hear she still works a few shifts.”
“How is Lucy doing?”
“Moved in with Mom because Lenny’s a dick. I still haven’t spoken to Rhiannon. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and go see her.”
She grimaces. “I know you’re thrilled.”
“I have no choice,” I say with a shrug. “Kaden is doing great, but he’ll have to go to school soon. I need to know why she’s abandoned her children.”
“Is Trevor still there?”
“He’s a whole other problem. I’ve heard he’s dealing and most likely using too.”
“Oh, honey,” Jamie says, reaching across the table to clutch onto my hand. “I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do? If you want to get him in a rehab facility, you know I’ll lend you the money if you need it. You don’t even have to ask.”
“Honestly, I don’t know if we’re there yet. I’m just taking it day by day. If I can pin him down and talk with him, I’ll have a better idea of what to do next.”
She nods, smiling sadly at me. “I’m here for you always. You know I love you and would do anything for you, Sloane. Anything.”
Guilt smacks me in the face and my cheeks burn hot.
If I get too involved with her son, I’m not sure that statement will stand any longer. As much as the idea of hanging out with Dempsey appeals to me, I know I have to put a stop to it. I can’t lose my best friend from childhood. We’ve endured too much in our lives to break apart over something like this.
I can’t do that to her.
Ever.
Dempsey
I have to tell her.
Even though I don’t want to, it’s the right thing to do. Not only does she need to know her nephew is involved with some fucked-up guys, but she also needs to know they followed me to her house.
If anyone will know what to do, it’s Sloane. She’s a cop, for fuck’s sake. As much as I want to pull her to me and protect her from the likes of Trevor’s lowlife friends, I know she can protect herself.
“You can deny it all you want, Dempsey,” Gemma says from the passenger seat as she reapplies lipstick. “You bet those assholes for that bike just to piss Dad off.”
I take a sip of my caramel macchiato and shrug my shoulders. “Pissing off Dad is just so fun.”
Only Tate and Sloane know Gemma was on the menu Saturday night. I sure as hell am not going to freak my sister out for no reason. Luckily, between me having to be with her every waking minute if we leave the house and Dad hovering over his little girl nonstop, she should be safe from those guys.
It’s Sloane I’m more worried about.
I pull into the police station, once again taking the chief’s empty spot. Gemma smirks at me, a knowing glint in her gaze as I grab Sloane’s coffee and climb out.
“Lock the doors and behave while I’m gone.”
I shut the door and don’t move until I hear the locks engage. Then I start for the police station entrance. A red Porsche slowly drives past me and the dude glares at me. I flip him off for the fun of it.
Once inside, I wave at Kaden and Tara at the reception area and then make a beeline over to Sloane’s desk. She doesn’t seem to notice my approach and scowls at her open file as she spins her ink pen around and around her fingers.
“Coffee break,” I say, laughing when she jolts in surprise.
Shock registers in her gaze and then she gives me a small smile. “Just what I needed.”
I know she’s talking about the coffee, but I’d like to think it’s me she needs.
“Can we talk?” I ask, sitting on the edge of her desk.
