Chapter 55
fifty-five
The sun is sinking closer to the horizon, painting the lake in fiery oranges and reds. Sasha is sitting beside me on my back porch, head resting on my shoulder. We haven’t said much since settling out here with our drinks, exhausted from a long day.
“You good?” I ask softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
She nods against my shoulder. “Just… thinking.”
I get it. The damage to her house wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but seeing her space violated like that—books ripped from shelves, furniture overturned, glass shattered across the floor—was gut-wrenching.
The look on her face when we walked through her front door is something I’ll never forget.
“At least the FBI agents seemed competent,” I offer, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “And the sheriff’s deputies were thorough.”
“Yeah,” she sighs. “I still can’t believe those assholes confessed so easily.”
I snort. “Most guys like that are in it for themselves. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Feds gave them some sort of deal.”
According to the FBI agent who interviewed us this afternoon, the guys who broke in weren’t exactly criminal masterminds. Just hired muscle sent to terrorize Sasha and send a message. But they sang like canaries once they realized they were facing serious federal charges.
Sasha shifts, turning to face me fully. Even tired and stressed, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Do you think they’ll be able to find Ryan?”
I take another sip, letting the burn settle in my chest before answering. “I hope so. With everything Dylan sent, they should have enough information to start putting serious pressure on the Triple Six.”
We fall silent again, watching as the last sliver of sunlight disappears.
“How about we go inside and I’ll make us dinner?”
“Yes, please.” She nudges my shoulder with hers.
I rise and hold out my hand, helping her up.
The grin she gives me lights up my insides. “Love you.”
“Love you too, sweet cheeks. More than you could ever know.”