Page 112 of Crimson Love

“Attempted murder and aggravated assault is just the beginning of what Warner can look forward to. Let’s just say premeditated will be a trigger word for him when all is said and done. His IP address has been informative. Ozzy Graves did a deep dive into his history. It seems old Lex has been paying for people to do his dirty work for a while.” Devon turns to Lennon. “You were right when you said the semi-truck wasn’t Andrei’s or your father’s style. It’s not. It’s Warner’s.”

Every muscle in my body tenses. “No shit?”

Devon shakes his head. “I have video surveillance of the man who delivered the gift basket. Ozzy did a facial recognition on him. He’s linked to the registration of the car he used to deliver it, but he also drives a semi in his spare time. The guy is diversified.”

I drag a hand down my face. “So both times Lennon’s life was threatened was because of me. Fucking great.”

She grips my shirt. “Hey, none of this is your fault. And it’s over. Warner has been arrested. It won’t happen again.”

“The guy doing his dirty work was arrested about an hour ago outside of Seattle. Ozzy can’t find any other correspondence or payment record to anyone else on the west coast. He’s confident it was limited to the one guy. But that wasn’t the only time they tried to take Jett out.”

“What the hell? How long have I been a walking target and didn’t know it?”

Devon goes on. “Long enough. The security breach that broke through my firewall and set off every security alarm on my property was Warner too. There was a text detailing how that was the first attempt on your life. A hitman was following you, but it seems he has a conscience and called it off when he saw you outside with Lennon. That’ll never fucking happen again. My new system will go live in the next week. It can’t happen soon enough.”

Payne starts in again. “See what I mean? This shit is too romantic for my bones. She actually saved his life and neither one of them knew it.”

Dean shrugs. “It’s not so sappy. At least there’s a hitman. He’s the vinegar in their love story.”

Devon taps on his cell as he speaks. “I just forwarded the reports to you, Dean.”

“Great,” Dean drawls. “More evidence that was obtained illegally. Working with you proves to be a never-ending maze I have to dance my way through.”

Payne slaps him on the back. “I begged you to go to law school with me. We could’ve been partners. My job is way easier than yours. All I have to do is prove someone isn’t one hundred percent guilty.”

“Your father sent you to law school so you could get him off for all the shit he did.” Dean moves to the door. “I’m out of here. It sounds like I’ve got my work cut out for me again. Call me if you find any other illegally obtained evidence. As always, it’s been fun.”

“That’s why they call you Mr. Bigshot,” Payne calls.

Dean doesn’t look back, but he does raise his hand and flips Payne the middle finger before the door almost hits him in the ass.

Lennon slumps in her hospital bed. “They’re both in custody. I feel so much better.”

“But your father isn’t,” I remind her. “Until that happens, I’m sticking to you like glue. If you need to go somewhere, I’m here.”

“It’s not like I could go anywhere if I wanted to since you stole my car.”

I can’t keep the smile off my face at the memory. “Maybe I’ll ask Clive to slow roll the repairs.”

“No need for that. Clive slow rolls his life,” Devon adds. “You two need anything? I’ll let you get ready to be discharged. I know your vitals are pretty much back to normal, but you’re taking the next few days off.”

Lennon looks like her boss just suggested she take a trip to the arctic and back rather than take a few personal days to make sure she’s healthy. “No way. I’m fine. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Devon exhales and crosses his arms. “You didn’t sit in the waiting room wondering if you’d live or die. You’re taking days off. No arguments. Rest, recuperate, and mentally reset after what happened. Plus, what kind of arse would I look like if you showed your face in the office tomorrow? I have a reputation to keep up with the employees. Don’t mess that up for me.”

“Well, I guess when you put it that way...” Lennon lets her words trail off as if she’s only taking days off as a favor to her boss.

I wind her hair around my finger and give it a gentle tug. “I’ll make sure she rests and stays out of the office.”

“That’s settled,” Devon says. “I’ll see you two back at home.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

DREAMS

Lennon

I t’s official. I’ve now taken more days off work than ever before. Jett and Devon insisted I take it easy for a few days. That paired with the weekend, and I’m not sure what to do with myself. If I didn’t have Jett, I’d be lost.