5. Fuck a duck
Fuck a duck
Wade
I stop just outside of the heavy steel door to lean against the concrete wall.
Drug overdose?
Oh, Maria. What happened to you?
Why didn’t you call?
My guts churn at the thought of her suffering.
Her fire must have died when she left.
But it burns hot as hell in her daughter. The blaze in Elena’s obsidian eyes is more intense. Scorching.
As if she’s searing her way through my chest.
This raw ache gnaws into my guts.
I failed Maria. Maybe I can help her somehow by trying to save Elena.
Knowing she wasn’t involved in those other crimes gives me an edge to see just how far I can push her into finally revealing the truth.
Luckily she hasn’t asked for her lawyer yet.
“Want me to try?” Paige saunters down the hall towards me and wraps her fingers over the top of the folder.
She smiles enticingly, then slides her thigh against my knee.
Maybe I should just fuck some of this frustration and rage out into her?
It won’t fix this stabbing misery in my heart.
“No, I got it,” I grumble. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to let Paige into this.
Elena and I have someone in common who’s special to me.
I want to give Elena the opportunity to see that I’m trying to help her.
Paige will just treat her like any other criminal.
Her hand drifts across the papers to tickle across my knuckles. “You’re acting so strange with this one. Are you sure you don’t need a break, Wade?” Her hips grind tighter against me.
A knot tightens in my stomach. “I have it under control, Officer Brooks,” I grit out.
She freezes, her eyes widening before they narrow. “Gotcha, sheriff. ” Her shoulders stiffen, then she turns sharply and leaves in the direction she entered.
Fuck a duck.
Well, I ain’t getting any from her again anytime soon.
Doesn’t matter. My dick didn’t even twitch when she pressed against me.
I must be broken.
Distracted.
There’ll be time to dip my wick later. Paige likes to feel special screwing her boss, she’ll get over the dismissal.
First, I gotta figure out what happened to get Elena up here. And find out why she’s suddenly turned to a lift of sabotage.
My only hope is that I can learn more about what the real story with Maria is along the way.
With a sigh, I veer towards the break room and grab a cold bottle of water, a pack of M&M’s, and a banana.
Momma always said I’d catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Let’s see how far a snack gets me with Elena.
Pushing into the interrogation room, she pops her head up from her arms, her raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders as she straightens.
She certainly favors her mother. I’m glad I don’t have to dwell on her father.
He was a monster.
Good riddance. Putting his sorry ass in the ground was the best thing I ever did.
Well, Ford and Blue helped. It’s a silent bond all of us carry.
As far as Maria, or anyone else knows, he disappeared on his own under threat of arrest.
He never deserved her. She was as much of an angel as he was the devil.
“Are you just gonna stare? You already have my damn mugshot.” Elena scowls at me, slumping down into her chair.
There he is. I recognize that expression.
Somehow it looks better on her. The twist of her full lips and the furrowing of her forehead only enhances the allure. She’d almost be beautiful if I didn’t know the fucked up things she’s done.
“I brought these, figured you’d be hungry.” I set out the array that I’d gathered for her and push them close enough for her to reach.
“Thanks, Sherlock. But kinda hard when both my hands are cuffed.” For emphasis, she raises and lowers her restrained wrists, letting the metal clang off the flat surface.
Another long exhale leaves me as I dig out the key. “Fine, but you try anything wonky, they go back on.”
A smirk tugs up her cheek. “Yea, sure.” She leans over so that her breasts rest on the lip of the table. “If I’m naughty, I’ll let you cuff me harder, daddy.” The last words come out as a panting whine while she reaches for the water bottle.
I know she’s being sarcastic, so I hate that it makes my cock twitch.
“Have you decided if you’re going to talk? Or am I having the D.A. charge you for everything we discussed earlier?” I don’t even want to acknowledge her “daddy” comment.
Because that would be admitting to the tight zipper I’m suffering with now.
Her smile slips and she focuses on the label of her plastic bottle. “It’s complicated,” she finally murmurs.
“Elena,” I growl, enjoying the way her breath catches when I say it. “I don’t want to put an innocent person in prison. Let me in. I can help.”
When she glances up and meets my gaze, for the first time it’s almost as if her facade cracks.
Her lower lip quivers before she rolls it between her teeth.
“I can’t,” she whispers. The plastic crinkles in her grip.
“Um…people I care about will be hurt if I do.” Her eyes dart down to the picture between her hands.
“They said that the stuff was only to make their milk dry up.” Her voice sounds hollow, then she flips the photo over, hiding the image of the dead cows.
Blackmail.
Shit.
I ain’t surprised. She doesn’t fit the profile of the last few fuckups who’ve been causing a ruckus.
“Who’s been making you?” I ask gently.
But she winces as if I slapped her, her lips thin and her spine straightens.
Fuck, I pushed too hard.
“I can’t.” Her chin juts as the defiant shroud covers her features again.
God damn it. This is going in circles.
“Well, what I can do is lock you up, charge you with about thirty felonies, and walk the heck away.” Shoving my seat back, I stand, towering over her.
“I owe it to your mom to do my best to help you, but you gotta pull yourself up by your bootstraps and crawl outta that snake hole you’re hidin’ in.
” I point at her, trying to keep the anger out of my voice.
“That’s gonna just get you bit in the ass if you stay in there. ”
I know I shouldn’t get pissed off about this, but there’s a crazy sense of ownership flooding through me.
Almost as if I’m responsible for her. I want to protect her.
But I can’t do it if she doesn’t give me something.
Storming out doesn’t make me feel any better.
Worse, really.
This is all so absolutely fucked.
I have two deputies take her to holding. Maybe a little time to think is what she needs.
Besides, I need to go check on Blue.
“Sheriff?” Paige cracks the door to my office as I’m grabbing my keys.
“Make it quick,” I snap. My patience is gone.
“What’s the deal, huh?” Her arms cross her chest, pushing her breasts up.
That pose from her would have made me hard in the past, but now it just irritates me that she’s slowing me down.
“What are you talking about?” Standing behind my desk, I rest my palm on the back of my chair.
“Why is her mom so special?” Paige bats her eyes with a pouty lower lip.
“Listening in?” I should have known she would. “Jealous? Go cry on your husband’s shoulder.” I brush past her before she can say anything.
Maybe my next conversation with Elena should be away from prying ears.