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Anthony releases a long, slow breath, his chest raising and falling. “Alright. I’ll agree to reinstate the sponsorship, but you have to promise me not to hit, shove, or harass Chief Wilson again or any other members of the police department.”
“I can do that.” I’ll just have to figure out another way to help Violet and Sophie that won’t involve me violating those requirements and which would put Jess, Violet, and Sophie in harm’s way.
Anthony smiles, easing away the stress lines on his face. “Good. In that case, we’re back in business with the sponsorship. I hope it helps you with what you’re hoping to achieve, Troy.”
I grin, the weight of the last few days lightening from my shoulders for a moment. “Thank you. It will.”
I catch the I-knew-you-could-do-it pride beaming in Jess’s expression, and the love I feel for her pounds in my chest, even though she’s not ready to go there yet.
57
Troy
August, Present Day
Maple Ridge
* * *
After dinner, Jess and I settle in to do research on domestic abuse cases where the abusers have been convicted. My phone pings with a group text from Kellan, who’s on surveillance duty at Wilson’s house. I’ve already filled my brothers in on the conversation Jess and I had with Blake this morning.
Kellan: Quiet here. Too quiet. Don’t like it
Me: Is Violet there?
Kellan: She hasn’t left during my shift. But Dunbar is here
Kellan: You should all get down here. I think something’s going on
Lucas, Garrett, and I respond that we’re on our way.
I scoot away from Jess on the couch, not really wanting to leave her. But I don’t have a choice. Not if I’m hoping to help Violet. Not if I’m hoping to give Jess some peace of mind about her friend. “I have to go. Kellan’s watching Wilson’s house, and he doesn’t like something that’s going on.”
Jess pushes herself to stand. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re staying here where I know you’ll be safe.”
She fists her hands on her hips and scowls at me. “Don’t go all alpha male on me, Troy Carson. We both thought I was safe at my house and look how well that turned out.” She points to the bruises on her face.
I don’t bother reminding her if she hadn’t been hiding Violet and Sophie at her house, Wilson wouldn’t have turned asshole on her. She did what she had to so she could protect Violet and Sophie.
And that makes me admire her that much more.
“Okay.” I want to argue against her coming with me, except there’s not enough time for that. “But you have to do exactly what my brothers and I tell you. We’re trained. You’re not.”
She’s walking to the garage door before I finish my sentence. “Fine.”
Sighing, I walk after her, my long legs quickly catching up to her.
Butterscotch and Bailey follow after us.
I turn to them. “Sorry, you two. You have to stay here.” Jess needs Bailey, but Bailey isn’t trained enough to come with us. She’s still a puppy. A puppy who might give away that my brothers and I are watching Wilson’s house.
Jess is in my truck, seat belt in place, by the time I enter the garage. It only takes a few minutes to drive to where Kellan is stationed. He’s sitting in his parked SUV several houses away from the target’s home. There’s nowhere else to position ourselves where we don’t look conspicuous. No neighbor’s home where we can watch Wilson’s house.
Garrett is already here, his car parked farther down the street. He’s walking along the sidewalk as if he belongs in the neighborhood. He pauses to check out the front of the house with a For Sale sign on the lawn.
Lucas pulls up behind Jess and me.
