Chapter 25 #2
The worst part, I was torn between upholding the law, bringing the bastard to justice, and letting the Caines loose on the fucker.
I knew what the right thing to do was, but the latter sounded a hell of a lot more satisfying.
For one, there was nothing to say that we could bring this asshole to his knees.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Joanna asked, her tone soft, concerned.
I turned my attention to her.
“Outside?”
I nodded, then glanced over to Wolfe to let him know. The big man nodded once, then headed toward Amy.
I followed the detective out onto the shaded front porch.
Joanna leaned against the railing and faced me. “I don’t mean to pry and you certainly don’t have to tell me, but I was…” She glanced at the screen door. “I was wondering about the dynamic here.” Her aqua-blue gaze met mine again.
Cocking an eyebrow, I waited for her to elaborate. I wasn’t sure which dynamic she was referring to, although I had an idea.
“I’m not judging, so don’t jump to that conclusion. I just need to know the relationships that are goin’ on here. Initially, I thought Wolfe was with Amy, but…”
I glanced out at the acres of dry grass blowing in the breeze. The sound of the screen door opening and closing behind me didn’t have me looking back. I knew who it was.
Joanna’s eyes flew to the newcomer, and a second later, Wolfe’s hand was on my shoulder and Amy was standing beside me, her arm sliding around my waist.
“Is that enough of an answer for you?” I asked.
“So, the three of you…?”
“Love each other,” Amy told her.
“Okay, then.” Joanna smiled. “Honest. I’m not judging.”
“Good. Now, what’s the plan?” Wolfe inquired, squeezing my shoulder.
More boots sounded on the porch behind me, and I figured the others had followed them outside.
As much as I feared what this relationship would do to my career, I truly didn’t give a shit what anyone thought.
Amy was right. We loved each other. And if we were going to protect Amy, it was time to focus on other things.
I turned toward Amy. “Joanna believes that the best way to tackle this issue is to face it head-on.”
“What does that mean?”
I hated how pale she was, how scared she was, and I wanted to erase the fear from her eyes forever. Although the plan was risky, I knew it was our best option. I glanced over to Joanna, allowing her to explain it.
“Amy, I respect the fact that you’re moving on with your life.” Joanna glanced at Wolfe, me, then the others. “And it’s clear you’ve got a strong family behind you. But if you want to make this go away forever, you are going to have to face this.”
Amy was already shaking her head.
“Hear me out,” Joanna added, her tone soft, soothing. “What Kelly Jackson did to you was…” She shook her head. “It was horrifying. He needs to be brought to justice, to be punished for what he did.”
“I just want him to go away,” Amy pleaded.
“We know you do, honey,” I said, turning to face her. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “And we can make that happen, but it’s gonna require you to face him again.”
She shook her head, then pressed her face against my chest. I cradled her head and held her close.
I could feel the eyes of the others on me.
This was the first time I'd touched her since I arrived at the house. Wolfe had remained by her side and I had kept my distance. I was tired of keeping my distance. I damn sure wasn’t going to stand back and let her face this without me.
“You can continue to hide out here,” Joanna added, “but as you said, he tried to kill you once already. He won’t let you go.”
“Then why hasn’t he come for her yet?” Reagan asked.
Joanna shrugged. “I can’t answer that. I don’t know what he’s up to.”
“He’s playing a game with me,” Amy said, her words muffled against my chest. I released her enough so she could turn, but I didn’t let her go. “It’s something Kelly would do. He said I wouldn’t live without him.”
“I figure,” Joanna inserted, “with his new role as police chief, he’s got a lot on his plate.”
“And he’s the type who wants to handle things himself,” Amy noted.
Joanna nodded. “Which means he’s waiting until not so many eyes are on him.”
“So, he’ll come for her eventually?” Reagan asked.
“I think so, yes.”
“And we avoid that how?” Lynx asked.
I knew the man would prefer to greet the bastard with the business end of his shotgun, but that wasn’t an option.
“My suggestion is that Amy go public with her story.”
“No!” Amy yelled, instantly pushing away from me. “I can’t. I won’t. He’ll… Oh, my God. He’ll kill me.”
“He won’t get near you,” Calvin declared, stepping out from the group.
I watched as Wolfe’s father moved around to face Amy.
“You understand that, girl?” His tone was gruff, his demeanor serious. “We won’t let him. This”—he motioned with his hand—“is your family now. And we protect our own. That bastard won’t get close enough to touch you ever again.”
I knew Calvin believed every word he said. I only hoped that was true.
Tears were streaming down Amy’s face, and I knew it gutted every man standing on that front porch.
“Come here, kid,” Calvin said, motioning for her to come to him.
When Amy stepped away from me and Wolfe, Calvin enveloped her in his burly arms, hugging her tight. “I promise you, girl. No one will hurt you ever again. Not on my watch.”
“Or mine,” Lynx stated.
“Or mine,” Wolfe added.
“Or mine,” Cooter and Reagan said at the same time.
“See? We’ve all got your back.” Calvin pulled back, looking down at her face and tilting her chin up so she was looking at him. “Whatever you decide to do, you’ve got us right behind you.”
More sobs tore through Amy, and Wolfe reached for her, pulling her against him. I couldn’t stop myself from holding her, too. Once again, several pairs of eyes were on us, but I didn’t care.
“All right, Sheriff,” Calvin addressed me directly. “I need to have a word with you.”
I had been expecting some sort of confrontation. Especially now that we’d come out with our relationship.
Meeting Wolfe’s gaze, I nodded, then watched as Wolfe led Amy back inside, Lynx, Reagan, and Joanna following.
A second later, I was facing Calvin and Cooter.
“I just want to make somethin’ crystal clear,” Calvin said in that same gruff tone I was used to.
Here it came. The warning I'd always expected.
“You’ve done a remarkable job as sheriff of this town.”
I shook my head slightly, trying to clear my ears. Had I heard him right?
“And we fully expect you to continue keepin’ things in line.” Calvin nodded toward the house. “This thing that the three of you have goin’…” He met my eyes straight on. “It’s the most important thing. I want you to remember that. Whatever happens, family matters.”
I nodded.
“And if you’re with my son, then that makes you family.”
My stomach had dropped to my toes. I hadn’t expected that. In fact, I'd expected one or both of them to warn me off of Wolfe and Amy.
“And the feud between the families?” I asked because it had to be said.
Cooter laughed, a loud, rough sound. “Your old man fabricated that feud, son. Back when we were kids.”
I frowned.
“He never told you?” Calvin asked.
I shook my head.
Cooter laughed again, glancing at Calvin, then at me. “It was over a girl. In eighth grade.”
That pulled a smile from me. I couldn’t help it.
Of course, it made sense. My father had always thought he was top dog. If some teenage girl had chosen a Caine over him… Yeah, that made perfect sense.
“So we’re good, then?” Calvin asked.
I nodded.
“Good. Now, the three of you need to talk it over and let us know what you wanna do where this asshole’s concerned. We’re behind you on this.” He leaned in. “And you’ll understand that Amy makes the decision here and we’re all here to watch her back. No matter what.”
“I understand. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Now come on. It’s fuckin’ hot out here.”
With that, I followed the two men back inside.