28. Braxton
CHAPTER 28
Braxton
I ’ve been getting questions all day about who she is. The gossip spreads quickly in the office. And everyone wants to know who the little redhead with glasses who smashed into my car is. The rumor’s already going around about her being an angry ex, and I don’t bother to correct them that what she is to me is far more complex than that.
Despite it costing me a pretty fucking penny to get my car fixed, it amuses me to know I got under her skin that much. And I don’t mind using a rental car until my vehicle is repaired.
I knew sending the statues back would be the catalyst to her crumbling and inevitable downfall. Hope is clever and beautiful. And she has the world at her fingertips. She’s not a snob but she does care for her craft deeply. And if I have to exploit that to get to her, then so be it. I’ve never been above being a petty little fuck.
I decided to pay for my car out of pocket instead of going through insurance because I didn’t want any of her family members to discover our association. Though, I remain prepared for one of them to possibly sniff too closely. Especially a certain Ivanov twin whom I’ve kept close tabs on. Well, as close as one can get to Hawke Ivanov.
Lucas walks in, places his briefcase on his chair, and leans against his desk as I get ready to leave. I have somewhere to be, and I waited for him to come in. I know she was at an event this evening, but it’s her afterparty celebrations that I’m interested in.
“What the fuck happened to your car? The boys were telling me about it. Is it true that Hope Ivanov crashed into it?” Lucas questions.
“Apparently so,” I say dismissively. “Must’ve still been pissed off about me cuffing her months ago.”
“And you didn’t bring her in?” he asks incredulously.
I raise a brow at him. “You know we can’t touch them.”
“If she hits your car in front of the fucking station, yeah, you can. You have evidence and grounds to?—”
“Lucas.” I place my hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Do you trust me?”
His eyebrows furrow. “Well, of course. I have your back. I don’t get it. There’s more to you two than you’ve told me, isn’t there?”
I shake my head. “I need you to trust me. I’m working just as hard on this case as you are, okay? Let me do this my way. When have I ever failed us before?”
He seems unsure as he stares at the floor. “It just doesn’t feel right.”
I tighten my grip on his shoulder. “I know. That’s why I’m not getting you involved. Just stick to what you’re doing now. We’re so close, I can almost taste it.”
Lucas nods curtly. “Thank you for forcing me to go home. It felt good to actually get some sleep. You’re going home to do the same, right? You look like shit.”
I laugh. “I know that’s a lie. I’m handsome even when tired,” I say on my way out.
I kill the headlights about a quarter of a mile from the shooting spot where they practiced last time. They’ve set up a large light on the car, and Hope hopelessly aims for the target, Hawke shaking his head in disapproval. She’s a pretty shitty shot. And part of me knows it’s my face she imagines in the center of that target.
From now on, I plan on watching her from a distance. Hope demands attention, if only from me. I know her secret even if she’s not willing to admit it. She’ll want me to reach out to her. She’ll expect it. I’ll watch her from the shadows, waiting to see when she fucks up.
Because it’s only a matter of time.