“I don’t. I fucking hate him. He’s exactly where he belongs.”
He pulls me back into his arms and my heart rate slows. “I don’t understand.”
“James was my father’s pick for a husband for me. He has the right family that would give Hugh more power. He was an abusive asshole, and Hugh didn’t care. I was forced to stay with him. Every day was a new assault. At first it was just a hit here and there, but the longer we were together, the more he did. When Aubrey left Maine earlier this year, she came to Montana to see me. James almost killed me. He would have if my brother hadn’t gotten there in time and taken me to a safe house.”
“The cuts.” He traces one of the larger scars on my collar bone. The same one he kissed just two nights ago.
Biting my bottom lip to keep the tears away, I nod. “I was in a coma for a bit, and I recovered with a doctor on my brother’s payroll.”
I rest my head on his shoulder. I don’t want to see the disappointment in his eyes when I say this next part.
“My family is organized crime, Wyatt. My brother, he doesn’t want to be involved in all that my family is, but we’re still the bad guys. And I got to escape the abuse because Ryder has the resources to make me disappear.”
His arms stiffen around me. “Ryder is who helped me.”
“When?” I ask, pulling back to look at him.
“He said something happened to his sister. Something that would have happened to Aubrey. I offered him immunity in the form of my silence for information on Jack as long as I caught him. I didn’t give a shit what Ryder did. He’s the reason I had as much information as I did when he showed up with Aubrey. Holy shit, you’re his sister. He told me what happened to you.”
He kisses me, deep and needy. “God, I was so afraid for you, even though I didn’t know it was you then. I know what men likeJames are capable of, I just didn’t know your names. Just that Jack was capable of the same, and if he could protect Aubrey like he tried with you, then he’d tell me anything.”
“James is a fucking coward. He ran when Ryder came looking for him. Within the family, Ryder and his best friend, Damon, have been working behind the scenes for years trying to get Hugh out. When you arrested him, Ryder took over easily. It’s how I could just disappear without a second thought.”
“Hugh is out. He won the appeal.” He stills.
“What?”
“He won the appeal this morning. I just got the call. He’s out clear and free. Paid off some judge, probably.”
Now the tears have no chance of staying put. They spill down my cheeks, fat and heavy. “No. No. He can’t be. He can’t… Ryder didn’t call. I didn’t know.”
“Hey, don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. You’re here with me now, he doesn't know where you are. He made a statement to the media about not wanting the attention. He wants the police to find who murdered you. He doesn’t know you’re not dead.”
“How can you be sure?” I cling to him like a lifeline.
“I’ll call Ryder when I get back to the office. We’ll get this sorted out. We’ll keep you safe, Goddess. No one will find you.” He pulls my face to his with his finger, kissing me.
I only hope I can trust him.
Leaving Sophia was hell. Once I got her settled in her house, I made sure she locked the doors. I’m more determined than ever to get hold of Ryder.
“Hey, Chief, can I talk to you?” I knock on his door.
“Of course. Come in.” He takes his glasses off, putting them on the desk.
“I’m going to do it.” I tell him from the doorway. “I’m going to take the test and join that task force.”
“Can I ask why you’re so sure all of a sudden?” His questioning gaze stares me down.
“I just need to keep someone safe. And this is the best way to do it.”
“Ah. Has the mighty fallen?” He laughs.
“Something like that.” I tap the door frame and walk out without saying anything else.
Once I’m back in the safety of my office, I lock the door to make my phone call.
“Ryder,” he answers on the first ring.
