Chapter 24 #3
“Frankie’s sister was sexually assaulted. He happens to be very protective of his sister, so he beat the shit out of the man who’d hurt her. Frankie went to jail, and when he got out, no one would hire him.”
“But you collect strays, so you did? That the deal?” Dominic questioned.
Preston narrowed his eyes. His hand eased away from Sloane.
“People aren’t strays,” Sloane fired. “Don’t let Gage’s dick attitude rub off on you.”
“Don’t be mad, Sloane, just because I have FBI access.
I was able to get into background files faster than you could.
Sorry, not sorry. I had Frankie’s criminal record.
You were a few steps behind. It happens.
” Dominic nodded. “Now, Preston, let’s move to your buddy Noble—he was a decorated SEAL.
But he went all PTSD and wound up alone.
You dug him out when he was about to wreck the world.
Why the hell did you do that? More stray collection? ”
“Stop saying that.” Real anger from Sloane. “I think you’ve been working with Gage too long. You’re deliberately trying to antagonize us.”
“Yeah, guilty.” But Dominic waited. Watching Preston like a hungry hawk. “Why did you pull Noble off the edge?”
“Because he’d once pulled me off.”
“And you trust him? With your life?” A deliberate widening of his eyes. “With Sloane’s life?”
“Noble came to town after the abduction. After Sloane and I were buried and dug up. He wasn’t here for the attack.”
“You sure about that timeline?”
“I called him when Noble was in Charlotte. I got him to come to town.”
“You called him.” Dominic nodded. “But are you certain he was in Charlotte?” He let out a sigh. “This is going to be shocking, but, sometimes, people will lie to you.”
“Just check his location history.” Sloane’s snapped order. “We know you’re going to do it. Go ahead. Pull Noble’s phone records. Check the pings and the locations.”
“Why, Sloane, I am shocked at the very suggestion.” Dominic’s eyebrows did a little dance.
“Shocked, I say. You know we’d need a warrant for something like that.
I can’t just wave my hands and get that kind of intel.
Who have you been hanging out with? Seriously, do I look like some rogue hacker to you?
” He sniffed. “I am a law-abiding, rule-following Fed. It’s insulting to suggest otherwise to me. ”
Well, fuck. Preston understood exactly what Dominic was telling Sloane to do. The man had just spelled it all out in big letters.
Rogue hacker.
“How about you just stay super close to Sloane, Preston?” Dominic flicked away something on the shoulder of his suit.
He also side-stepped. “Think you can handle that task? You stay close to her, you keep watch over her, while Gage and I will handle the investigative end of this thing. Sound good to you?” He didn’t wait for a response. “Great. This has been a fabulous talk.”
No, it had not been.
But Dominic added, “Gage, ready to go search Bridget Russell’s place? Because I am. Can’t wait to see what we find.” With that, he headed for the door.
Gage didn’t move. “Don’t make Lily’s mistakes,” he warned Sloane.
“I am not Lily. But, for the record, I don’t think that she makes mistakes.”
“She protects killers.” A deliberate dip of his head toward Preston. “She fucks them, too.”
A little growl escaped Sloane. “Goodbye, Gage. Catching up with you is always a delight. So thrilled that you are one of the agents working this case.”
He stomped after Dominic.
That had been one weird-ass interrogation.
Preston smiled at Sloane. “Give me just a moment, would you, angel?”
“Uh, sure?” A confused blink of her dark eyes.
He stalked after Gage. Caught the guy just after Gage had crossed the threshold and stepped outside. “She was right. You’re a dick.”
Gage tossed him a glare. “You’re the one using predators to protect her.
How do you really think that is gonna work long term?
You may have actually brought the killer straight into your home.
Did you consider that? Maybe go check out your friends better.
And then do Sloane a favor.” He leaned in and stabbed his index finger into Preston’s shirt.
“Tell her to get out of your life. Tell her to walk away. Because I know trouble when I see it. I don’t need Sloane’s research to tell me what can happen to the children of serial killers.
” Another jab of his finger. “You’ll ruin her. You’ll destroy her.”
I never will. “I’d suggest removing the finger.” Before I snap it.
Gage jerked his hand back. He took a quick step away from Preston.
“I’ve seen perps like you. Maybe you were normal, once upon a time, but he got to you, didn’t he?
” Voice low, he accused, “He fucked you up in the head, and you won’t ever be right again.
There is no amount of therapy in the world that can fix what’s broken with you, and I’m sorry, I really am.
But don’t drag her down into the dark with you. ”
Too late. She’s already there. “I don’t need your sympathy, Agent Emerick.”
“What do you need?”
“For you to stay out of my way.” He shut the door in the agent’s face.