Ronan nodded. “Yeah, she’s good. She’s sleeping. Hawke’s going to crash on the couch. I’m taking the night shift.”
“Okay, good. Thank you,” Hunt said, offering his hand to Ronan.
“Don’t thank me,” Ronan replied, returning the firm handshake. “I’ll message you any developments.”
Hunt nodded in response, watching as Ronan headed back inside, and briefly spoke to security before entering the elevator.
A tiny part of Hunt was crushed with defeat, but no way in hell was her brothers going to steal what he’d waited for so long to have—a life with Lottie. He took his cell phone from his pocket and texted:I’m sorry I broke my promise. I’m not sorry for protecting you. Don’t give up on us. I love you.
The statement was bold, but he wasn’t playing anymore. He turned away from her building, the only place he wanted to stay, and did what he knew how to do—examine evidence, solve crimes, and put criminals behind bars.
13
I’m sorry I broke my promise. I’m not sorry for protecting you. Don’t give up on us. I love you.
Lottie read those words on her phone as the sunbeams poured through her window. Again. And again. Tears streaming down her cheeks that she could not stop.
To be so cared for…
To be so appreciated…
To have anyone fight for her so hard…
Her heart squeezed in her chest so tight she could barely breathe. She couldn’t see Hunt last night, though Ronan had told her he’d come. She didn’t trust herself—or him—not to take her in his arms and make her forget how much she’d already hurt and endangered him. She would not let her family ruin his life like they’d done to her.
With the unknown spiraling around her, she set her phone down on her nightstand, right as her bedroom door whisked open.
“Dry those tears, girl,” Elise said, hastily entering the room, sending the door slamming against the wall. “We’ve got shit to do.”
Lottie sat up swiftly, dressed in a long cotton T-shirt. “What’s happened?”
“Oh, so many things,” Elise said, “but let’s start with what you need to do immediately.”
Flinging off the covers, Lottie wiped the tears off her cheeks, jumping out of bed. “Which is?”
“Clear Hunt’s name.”
A spike of hope rushed through her, sending her heart thumping in her ears. “You know I would do anything to do that, but how can I?"
Elise’s eyes sparkled as she took a seat on Lottie’s bed. “Your brothers set him up, so go get dressed, and then I’ll explain.”
Not waiting a single second, Lottie hurried into her closet and grabbed a long-sleeved dress. When she came out, she said, “Okay, go.”
“Last night, I looked into the recording of the punch,” Elise explained as Lottie removed her pajamas and her underwear. “It all seemed a little too perfect to me. Whoever taped them didn’t even flinch when Hunt hit your brother. Like they’d been expecting it.”
Lottie slipped into new underwear and a bra as she asked, “Which rubbed you wrong?”
“Yeah, exactly. It set off all types of red flags,” Elise agreed with a nod. Dark circles rested under her eyes, a telling sign that she’d been up all night working on finding a way to clear Hunt’s name. “So, I dug into who took that video.”
Now in her dress, Lottie asked, “Did you find out who it was?”
“Of course I did.” Elise grinned, gesturing Lottie into the en-suite bathroom. “Go. Finish getting ready.”
Lottie hurried inside and went about her business. She came back out brushing her teeth. “And?”
Elise’s eyes sparkled. “The woman told us that she was hired by your brothers to record the altercation with Hunt.”
Lottie sagged in relief, dropping to her knees next to the bed. She grabbed Elise’s hands. “Oh my God, Elise, tell me this woman will tell the truth?”
