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Trent sighed. “Now, back to old Douggie boy.” He shook his head. “He gave me the slip. I would swear on every Bible in the world that I saw him get on a plane to Hawaii, but somehow, he ended up here and I’m not sure how that happened.”
“I think he has a brother who may have been helping him out somehow. On purpose or not, I do not know.”
“I’ve been keeping an eye on him in New York, making sure he went to work, things like that. But I’m no pro and I told Charlotte that. She insisted that she’d be safe here and if worse came to worse, she’d tell you everything.”
“Well, it’s worse and now she’s here in the hospital getting stitches and I have every cop in town hunting for Winthrop. As for which Winthrop they’ll find, I have no idea.”
“Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
“That’s all I care about. I want her to be safe. That nut job will pop up soon enough on his own. Her dad and brothers are great and would die protecting her, but you’re a pro. I think she should stay with you.”
“I agree.”
“Great. I’ll help convince her if she puts up a fight.”
“She won’t.”
His lips tipped up at the corner. “Little bit smug, aren’t you?”
I shrugged. Confident and smug were not the same. Charlotte belonged with me. She’d see it too. It was just a matter of time.
Dr. Weaver stepped out. “I’m going to the waiting room to talk to her family. She’s asking for you, Detective Barrett. She can go home whenever she’s ready.”
“Thank you.” I headed through the door with Trent following behind me. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, thank you. Trent! I told you to wait. I haven’t had a chance to explain—”
“It’s taken care of,” he replied. “No worries. We’re good, aren’t we, Cade?”
“All good,” I confirmed.
Charlotte’s nose wrinkled up in doubt. “Really?”
“Yes,” I told her. “And even if we weren’t good, we both care about you too much to make this awkward right now. Keeping you safe is all that matters.”
“Exactly.” Trent took her hand with a gentle smile. “But I explained everything about me and you. We talked it all over, and Charli, I think you need to go home with Cade.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s fine, my dad is here. He’ll take me home. I’ll be okay at the house with him and my brothers—”
“Nope, no way.” Mr. Cassidy strode through the door and straight to Charlotte with her brothers hot on his heels. “We agree with Trent. You’re going to Cade’s. If you’re not comfortable with that, we’ll go with you. You need professional protection. And I am not about to try to manage your safety along with keeping your hot-headed brothers out of trouble. This situation is out of hand. I can’t believe you didn’t tell us what was going on with you, Charli! But that’s a discussion for another time. I love you, my baby girl. You scared the absolute hell out of me.” He pulled her into his massive arms, while her brothers surrounded her bed.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” she mumbled into his chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s nothing you need to say, princess, and no need to apologize. We’re all just glad you’re going to be okay and that this is all out in the open so we can fix it for you.”
“We still need his name,” Hunter grumbled. “I’ll fix it real quick.”
“You’re not getting one. Not yet anyway,” I argued.
His jaw ticked with grudging understanding. “You’re probably right. I hate this. Charli, please tell me you’re going to be all right.”
“I’ll be fine, you guys. I promise.” Her voice trembled as she held on to her dad.
“I hate it too,” I said. “That’s why I’m here at the hospital and Trevor is lead on this case. I’ll tear him apart if I catch him.”
“You guys don’t have to come to Cade’s,” Charlotte interjected. “I mean, is it even okay that I stay at your place? I don’t want to impose.”
