Chapter 38
Hunter slammed Everett against the cave wall hard enough to drive air from his lungs.
Stone scraped across Everett’s shoulder blades. Sand shifted under his boots. Beyond the mouth of the alcove, the black sand beach crawled with police, rifles in hand, dressed in tactical gear. Remington stood in the middle of it with her arms pinned behind her back, wrists in cuffs.
Detective Desmond Francois had one hand locked around her arm.
Everett shoved against Hunter’s grip.
Hunter drove a forearm across his chest and held him there. “You know barging out there would be fucking stupid. I know it’s fucking stupid. You know who else knows it would be fucking stupid?”
“Get your damn hands off me.”
“Remi.” Hunter’s voice cut sharper than the surf pounding against the rocks. “She knows it would be a disaster if you try to rescue her now, one man against half the St. Basil Police Department, and think you can do anything except end up in the jail cell next to her.”
Francois jerked Remington sideways.
Everett’s vision narrowed.
Every disciplined part of him fractured around the sight of that man putting his hands on her. Remington’s chin went higher as if to prove to Everett that she could handle what was happening. The detective’s grip looked too rough. His stance too smug.
Everett wanted to break him.
But her gaze, meeting his across the beach through the shadows, distance, and chaos, had found the part of him that would listen.
He had never believed two people could communicate without words because of their feelings for each other.
He’d always thought that kind of thing belonged in the sentimental corner of stories people told when logic failed them.
He’d been wrong.
Remington’s message reached him with brutal clarity.
Please, Everett … stay where you are.
The plea stopped him better than Hunter’s arm ever could have.
It also killed him a little.
Everett let his head fall back against the stone and dragged in a breath through his teeth. “I’m not going after her.”
Hunter didn’t move.
Everett’s jaw tightened. “Not yet, anyway. Take me out of the death grip.”
Hunter held him another second before easing back. “You’re stronger than I expected.”
“Don’t.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Hunter.”
“Fine.” Hunter stepped away but stayed close enough to tackle him again if necessary. “What’s our next move?”
Everett looked back toward the beach. Officers surrounded Remington now as an SUV moved slowly across the sand toward her.
“Our?”
“This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
A humorless laugh scraped out of Everett’s throat.
“Sorry.” Hunter’s expression shifted. “Bad phrasing. I know what this is.”
“Do you?”
“I can see how much you and Remi love each other.” Hunter glanced toward the beach, then back at him. “If I had someone I loved that much, I’d move heaven and earth to keep her safe, too.”
Everett said nothing.
“But there’s only so much you can do alone,” Hunter added.
Everett’s throat worked around the anger and fear lodged there. “I know. That’s why I need to ask you for a favor.”
“Can’t do it.”
“You don’t know what I’m asking.”
“You want Quattro’s help.” Hunter shook his head. “That’s a no-go.”
Everett looked at him fully. “Why? You were helping Britt arrange a way to get Remington off the island.”
“I used Britt’s name and influence to pull resources from people who owed favors or wanted her happy. That’s not the same as turning Quattro loose on your problem.”
“Explain the difference.”
Hunter’s mouth flattened. “You clearly don’t understand how Quattro works.
It isn’t like the PC-5. Quattro is a collection of renegade mercenaries loosely held together by greed, convenience, and the occasional need to borrow each other’s toys.
Titus's death has made it worse. Even if I could herd those bastards in the same direction, the price would be too high.”
“I have money.”
“I’m not talking about money.” Hunter’s eyes hardened. “Whatever Quattro took as payment would land on Britt in one way or another. A debt that would have to be repaid. I won’t put her in that position.”
Hunter was right. Britt had already done so much to help Remington. He couldn’t ask for more and risk her being in Quattro’s debt.
“She’s trying to move on with her life.” Hunter’s voice lowered. “I’m sticking around to make sure nothing drags her back.”
Everett looked toward the beach again, where Remington was being forced into the back of the police vehicle.
“Then that only leaves one option.”
Hunter followed his gaze. “You think they’ll help?”
“Honestly?” Everett flinched as the door to the SUV slammed closed with Remi inside. “I don’t know.”