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“Don’t be jealous, beautiful,” he murmured in that purr again, but I wasn’t going to fall under his spell again. “I swear, this will all be over soon, and she’ll be gone.”
“How sad for you. Then you won’t have anyone to play with.” Another text from Theo came in and I grinned. “Ah, would you look at that? Gotta go. Theo is so sweet. Offering to fly all this way just to hold my hand.”
“Lexa.” There was pure malicious rage in his voice now, and it only made my grin bigger. “Don’t play with me.”
“I’m not the one who plays games, Sheriff. That would be you. I have the text right here in front of me with him asking if I need him, and he’ll be on the first flight out if I do. Should I screenshot it and send you the picture? Hmm, maybe I should take him up on his offer. He could keep me company while you wrap everything up with Paige.” I tapped my chin with my index finger, pretending to give the idea some serious thought, but I knew I wouldn’t ever let Theo leave his family even if I did feel like I needed someone in my corner. Ben’s reaction to the thought of someone else in my life was plenty enough satisfaction for me.
“Lexa,” he snapped, and I had to swallow a laugh. “I’ll see you tonight. We’ll discuss this more then.”
“As I said, I have plans for the evening. And they don’t include you. Stay safe, Sheriff. I heard there’s someone c
razy chick going around taking baseball bats to police cruisers.”
“Lexa, I swear, you’re so damn stubborn. You’re going to give me an ulcer or something. I’ll see you tonight.”
“No. You. Won’t.” Satisfied I’d had the last word, I hung up and stomped into the bathroom.
It was only when I caught sight of my nakedness in the mirror that I remembered I wasn’t wearing any clothes. I couldn’t believe I’d just had that entire conversation nude. Even if he couldn’t see me, it was unlike me. My scar had always made me too self-conscious about the rest of my body, not just my face. Yet, I completely forgot while I was on the phone with him.
Turning on the shower, I nearly groaned when I received a new text.
Ben: See. You. Tonight. And tell Theo you don’t need him for anything. You have me.
Before I could type out a reply, another one popped up.
Ben: Your car is parked in front of your house. I dropped it off on my way to work this morning. Drive safely if you need to go anywhere.
Ben: PS. I miss you.
Chapter 15
Lexa
Walking into the kitchen an hour later, I was surprised to find Mom chopping vegetables while Uncle Jet stood close by, drinking his morning coffee and looking all out of humor.
“Morning, honey,” Mom greeted, barely lifting her head from her task. “I’m so glad you’re up. I was hoping you could run to the grocery store for me and grab a few things for this chili I’m mak…ing.”
When she finally got a good look at me, the knife dropped out of her hand, clanging loudly against the countertop. She was in front of me before I even realized she was in motion, worrying me with how fast she’d moved in case she hurt herself.
Fingers trembling, she skimmed them over my cheek, and I did my best not to flinch. Tears filled her eyes as she quickly took stock of the rest of my body that she could see. When she lifted my arms and examined the bruises, the tears dried instantaneously and flames flashed in her green depths.
“Who?”
One word. That was all she said, but it was enough.
No “what” or “when.” Just “who.” All I had to say was Murphy’s name, and I knew he would breathe his last breath while she watched. And just knowing she would kill anyone who harmed me had my throat tightening with emotion, but I wouldn’t supply the name, wouldn’t be the one responsible for a man’s death and risk Mom losing her freedom.
“So…” I cleared my throat, trying to lace my voice with amusement. “I was kind of arrested last night. Long story. I might have caused some county property damage by taking a baseball bat to the sheriff’s work cruiser. In the process of getting arrested, I struggled, and this was the aftermath. No biggie.”
“Davis did this to you?” she seethed.
Panic that she was now planning Ben’s death had me quickly shaking my head. “No, no, no, Mom. Ben didn’t arrest me. It was Mur—” I broke off before I could finish the name, but the damage had already been done.
“Murphy?” she guessed. “Does your dad know anything about all this?”
“Yup,” Jet supplied from where he was still leaning against the sink, sipping his coffee calmly like his baby sister wasn’t about to explode with rage.
“And Murphy is still breathing?” she gritted out between clenched teeth.
