Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
QUINN
H e killed a man for me. That thought is on a loop in my mind even while the forensic team takes pictures of my wrists and any other marks they can find.
Thankfully I came out relatively unharmed, but I’m almost glad Simon put the bands on me.
They were evidence of what he’d done and how Rhodes saved me.
“What happens now?” I ask Sheriff Georgia Dawson. We’re in her office downtown, and I’m waiting to see what else they need from me.
She had to call in the state police, since it's a small town. We only have a little office building for a police station and the one sheriff. This is the most action it’s ever seen.
“I’m not really sure,” Georgia answers while fiddling with her phone. She’s the sparkling new sheriff who was elected a few months ago.
"Are you googling it?" I glance down at her screen, and her eyes widen. Busted.
"Oh gosh, Quinn. I ran for sheriff as a joke, but then the Stitch ladies loved the idea of a female sheriff, so they took over the election. Now here I am, and I don’t know how to do any of this," Georgia blurts out in a rush. "I mean, look at this."
Georgia picks up the cowboy hat that has a badge on the center front of it. When she drops it on her head, the hat falls all the way down, covering her eyes. I burst into laughter.
A few of the state police glance our way. It's not exactly the right moment to laugh, but it felt good. Georgia quickly takes the hat off, and her cheeks flush pink as she notices the cops staring at us.
"Don't you boys have things to do?” She stands up, puts her hands on her hips, and squares her shoulders. “I'd like to have my station back."
"We're almost done. Detective Marks is wrapping things up now with Rhodes."
Georgia gives a stiff nod before sitting back down in her chair. "Did I sound legit?" she whispers so that only I can hear her.
"Totally." I give her a secret thumbs up. "And I bet if you tell the Stitch ladies about the hat issue, they’ll get a new one worked up for you." Those ladies can clearly do anything they put their minds to.
"They've done enough,” she deadpans, and I bite the inside of my cheek so that I don’t let another giggle slip out.
The door to the one and only room, which has become the interview room, swings open, and I spring to my feet. What Rhodes did wasn’t true self-defense, and if there’s any kind of fallout against him, it would shatter my entire world.
That's what Rhodes is to me now. I know our time together has been brief, but I can't imagine my life without him. He was trying to keep me safe, not only for today, but for every day that follows.
When Rhodes steps out of the room, I can't contain myself. I rush into his arms, and he easily catches me before lifting me off the ground.
"I'm so sorry. I love you." The words tumble out of my mouth, and then I lift my head to see Rhodes's unreadable expression.
"There’s nothing to be sorry about." He puts me on my feet when the detective steps out of the room behind him.
"Here is my card if you think of anything else," he says, and Rhodes takes it from him. He turns his attention to me, and his look is solemn. "You're one of the lucky ones."
I nod in agreement because I know better than most exactly how lucky I am. I made it out alive, all thanks to Rhodes.
"I'll give you guys a ride back to your place," Georgia offers since she was the one that brought us to the station.
We follow her out to the parking lot where the sun is now rising.
Rhodes opens the back door for me and motions for me to slide over so he can get in too.
The ride home is quiet, and I wonder what Rhodes is thinking.
When I told him I loved him, it was because the words spilled out.
It doesn’t make them any less true, but he didn’t return them.
“That’s freaky about you firing the gun and it not working. That’s some scary movie shit,” Georgia says from the front seat. “I’d know, I love scary movies.”
“I’ll teach her how to shoot.” Rhodes places his hand on my thigh, and I relax a little.
“Oh, can you teach me too?” Georgia perks up, glancing into the rearview mirror at us.
“Watch the road!” Rhodes snaps at her.
Georgia slams on the brake, almost blowing right through a stop sign. Not that there is anyone out here, but still. How many times will I almost die today?
“Sorry.” She turns, giving us an apologetic smile. “But I would really appreciate you teaching me.”
“You don’t know how to shoot, and you have a gun on you at this very moment,” Rhodes says dryly, making it clear he’s not happy about this news.
“This?” Georgia pulls out the gun, holding it up.
“Jesus, Georgia!” Rhodes barks at her.
“It’s fake.” She pulls the trigger, and bubbles come out. “Looks real, right?” Georgia smirks. “I stole it from the prop bin when I was over at the high school.”
“From the theater kids?” Rhodes asks.
“They don’t need it. It’s time Mrs. Walkey let go of that same old Western play she puts on every year. I’m doing them a favor.”
"Fair point." Rhodes lets out a loud breath. "How about you drive and watch the road?"
"Fine." Georgia holsters her gun. "But I'm the one that’s supposed to be giving the orders, you know."
"I'll teach you to shoot," Rhodes agrees, as I knew he would. He's a good man, and that's what a good man would do.
"Thanks for the ride," I tell Georgia when we step out of her cruiser.
"Here." Georgia starts searching her pockets, and after a second, she comes up with a business card. "I got these when I was elected. Fancy, right?” she says and hands it over to me. "Text me later."
Georgia takes off in the cruiser, and I guess I made a new friend. A strange one, but she does make me laugh, I'll give her that.
Rhodes takes my hand, leading me toward the house. "Wait." I stop when he opens the door. "Isn't it a crime scene?"
I hadn't thought about it until now, but I don’t want to see blood everywhere or possibly brains.
“It’s been handled,” he reassures me. “But we can stay somewhere else if you want.”
“No.” I shake my head. “This is where I want to be.”
My memory of what happened isn’t going to be fear. What Rhodes did was brave, and it showed me he’ll always come for me and keep me safe.
Rhodes leads me into the house and goes straight for the spare room. Boss comes straight out and swirls around my feet, rubbing against me in the process. I pick him up, burying my face in his fur.
“He was worried too,” Rhodes says softly.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“Don’t thank me for that.” He takes Boss from me and carries him into the kitchen, where he gives him a bowl of wet food.
“Are you okay?” I shift on my feet, thinking something is off.
“No, I’m not okay.” Rhodes comes back to me, lifting my hands to inspect my wrist. "I wish I could kill him all over again. He got it too fucking easy. It shouldn't have been quick."
"I brought him here,” I admit, and tears fill my eyes. “You could have died."
"Thank fuck you did." Rhodes cups my face, his thumbs swiping away my tears. "He needed to die, and I was more than happy to do it." He leans down closer. “You know why, sweetness? Because I love you, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe. Anything.”
“Rhodes,” I sniff as more tears fall. “I love you so much.”
“I know, sweetness.” He presses a kiss to my mouth. “I love you too, and so does this town.”
He’s right. The whole freaking town was worried and searching for me. I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere before, but now I do.
“You’re home now, Quinn. No more running.”
“No more running,” I agree because I’m finally exactly where I’m supposed to be.