7. Justified
Justified
Wade
It isn’t often I see him angry.
But when Blue is pissed, he shows it over his whole face.
Red cheeks, biting eyes, and his jaw clenching so tightly I worry he’s gonna break his teeth.
“I still can’t believe you’re towing this fucking lie, Wade. She’s on video doing everything.” His finger jabs downward towards the cold tile of the hospital room.
I’m glad Libby isn’t here. She’d likely have her pistol pulled on me.
“She blew up our fucking dairy, Wade,” Blue grits. “She killed our cows. Explain to me why in the hell I should feel sorry for her?” He throws himself against the backrest of his bed, then winces, reaching for his injured shoulder.
“Easy, buddy.” I hold up my palms in a failing attempt to calm him. “Don’t go getting all worked up.”
“Wade,” he groans, his cheeks paling. “She could have hurt Libby.” His tone drops to a pained whisper. “Or our baby.” His fist clenches and he bounces it off his thigh.
I pull my Stetson from my head and fidget with the brim. “I get that you’re mad—”
“Fuck off, Wade. I’m pressing every charge in the universe of charges that can be thrown against her,” he growls.
“She was forced into it. I haven’t figured out all the details yet, but she’s been coerced into it under threat.” I spill the words out quickly before he can interrupt me again.
He raises up, pinning me with his icy blue eyes. “Did you ever think that maybe she’s just like her father? He was a piece of shit. Now she is too.”
Reflexively, I shake my head. I don’t believe it.
I could see the regret in Elena. The hesitation, and doubts.
She’s more like Maria. Too much since she’s so willing to take all the blame in order to save the person she cares about.
It isn’t a boyfriend or husband. Who could it be?
Best friend? Aunt? Uncle?
Maria had an entire family I knew nothing about.
I just need Elena to open up and be honest so I can help her.
A plastic cup bounces off my chest, startling me back.
“I said, don’t let her ‘poor me’ cloud your mind, Wade!” Blue’s brows knot over his raging gaze.
“It isn’t like that, Blue.” I can feel my blood pressure rising.
“Bullshit. She batted her lashes and suddenly you’re begging to let her free. I almost died , asshole.” His arm waves in a wide gesture. “We’re in the damn hospital because of it.”
“Well, technically your wife shot you,” I chuckle. Somehow I manage to dodge the empty applesauce container that flies at me next.
“Actually—” I can feel my smile fade. “—this isn’t much different. Libby’s intent wasn’t to hurt you. Neither was Elena’s.”
His mouth gapes. “You cannot be serious comparing the two. I swear Wade, if we weren’t such damn good friends, I’d hate you right about now.
” He drags his hand down over his face, then tilts his chin to the ceiling.
“I can’t believe you’re using her name. Does Mason know about you siding with the enemy? ”
That straightens my spine. “She had nothing to do with his stuff. She wasn’t even in the same state. Paper trail proves that.” I’m not going to let her get blamed for what she didn’t do.
But maybe I should be questioning why I’m feeling so protective of her.
“She could have arranged it all. She’s playing you, man.” His arm falls to rest across his stomach. “She isn’t her mom,” he says quietly. “And she won’t love you in return, just like her mom.”
He might as well have punched me in the gut.
I thought what Maria and I had was special. Yet she left and never looked back.
“I know,” I admit. “I’d just feel like dogshit if I didn’t try.”
I owe it to Elena, if for nothing else the fact that I killed her father.
He and Maria were separated, divorce papers were even filed.
If he hadn’t shown up, he might have lived.
But not after what he did to her that night.
“I’m sorry, Blue. I want to get to the bottom of this sewer system, too.
There’s someone bigger than her calling the shots, she’s just a pawn.
” I drop my hat over my head and adjust it until it’s brushing my ears.
“I wanted to stop by and make sure you were doing alright, didn’t mean to get you all worked up. ”
“Wade.” He raises his arm, motioning me to stop. “You think she was really forced?” Exhaustion drags at his words.
“I do. Without a doubt.” I’ve made a career of catching criminals and watching their behavior.
There aren’t many that can fool me.
The chances that she’s pulling one over on me are almost zero.