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Which pissed me off all over again.
I marched forward, my intent I didn’t know, and took two steps toward Graydon when he whipped around and pointed his gun straight at my face.
Wake’s hands, which were partially uncuffed from Graydon removing one of them, flew into the air.
One knocking Graydon’s gun hand up. And the other pushing me once again behind the brick wall.
When I peeked from behind it only to have Sage blocking me with his body, it was to see Wake and Graydon facing off.
“This shit is getting really fuckin’ old, Graydon,” Wake hissed as he rubbed his reopened abrasions on his raw wrists, my guess, to keep from wrapping them around Graydon’s throat. “You know that guy had six priors? As in, beating his wife and children to the point where they needed to be hospitalized. But you’re going to arrest me for protecting my kid and my wife, whom might I add got hit across the back with a goddamn chair. Yet, you stand there and say that you support the right side of justice? Let me give you a newsflash, dumbass. You’re a piece of shit, and everyone’s starting to see it.”
I’d seen him angry before. At least, I’d thought I had.
But then I’d seen him like he was at dinner tonight, and I realized that maybe I didn’t know my husband all that well at all.
“Wake,” I said softly, trying to emerge from behind Sage. “Come on. Let’s go,” I urged. “I’m ready to go to bed.”
Graydon put his gun up, which caused Sage to relax.
I moved so that I could see Wake’s face just as he said, “And if you ever, and I mean ever, point your gun at my wife again, you’ll not have to worry about whether or not you’re a good sheriff anymore. I’ll make the decision for you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Graydon moved forward intimidatingly. “Is that a threat?”
“That’s not a threat, old man,” Wake said. “That’s my promise to my wife. Nothing will ever put her in danger. Not even a man posing as the law.”
With that, he held out his hand for me.
I took it and crowded in close to him.
Wake’s hands clamped around my hip, then he pushed me toward my vehicle.
Before I could ask if he wanted to drive, he pulled the keys from my hands and said over his shoulder, “Sage, thanks for showing up. Whatever you and my girl were talking about in the parking lot when we pulled in, go ahead and follow through with that.”
How did he know we’d been talking about something?
I waited until we were in the car with the doors shut before I asked him.
“I saw the fierceness on your face,” he answered. “You looked ready to do battle when we pulled in. I just assumed it was something to do with Graydon.”
“I told him I wanted a lawsuit against the sheriff for brutality and whatever else he can find to pin on the moron,” I grumbled darkly.
“Put on your belt, darlin’,” he urged. “I might drive easy, and this might be the smallest Florida town in creation, but shit still happens. I don’t want one of those things to happen to you.”
That was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard.
When we got home, I let Tex out for his nightly walk around the property while Wake made phone calls to his family.
After assuring them he was fine, he joined me in my short jaunt around the house toward the water.
“Don’t go in the water, Tex,” Wake ordered the moment that he saw where his dog was headed.
I couldn’t help the small giggle that escaped me as I watched Tex give Wake a look. One that clearly said what he thought about Wake not allowing him to go for a short swim.
I wouldn’t have let it happen, either. But I was glad Wake was on the receiving end of Tex’s doggy glare.
Wake shook his head as Tex finally looked back toward the water, sitting down on his cute, chubby little butt and giving Wake the cold shoulder.
“You really think that’s funny?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I think it’s cute that your dog’s surprised you told him no, yes. I think it’s even cuter that you… mmmph.”
Wake’s lips landed on mine. One second. Two. Five. Ten.
I leaned into his kiss, melting into his body and giving him nearly all of my weight as I all but threw myself into the best kiss of my life.
His tongue dueled with mine, playing. Teasing. Licking. Then nipping and soft curses leaving his lips.
When he finally pulled back he said, “I won’t allow Graydon to hurt you.”
I snorted. “Graydon is inconsequential to me. If I have my way, he won’t even be doing his job for very much longer. He’ll be gone quicker than he can arrest you again. Now, the real worry is, once his authority is stripped away, what will he do to you as punishment?”
