Page 46 of Holding On To Good

“I’ll let you know that when I’m ready to collect.”

“Or,” she said, shoving the napkins in the pocket of his jacket, “I could just give you fifty bucks and we’ll call it even.”

Nope. Nothing dumb about her.

“I don’t want your money,” he told her.

Her eyes widened. At first he thought it was his words that surprised her, but then he realized she was looking at something behind him.

“Seriously?” she muttered. “The flashing light?”

Shit. That didn’t sound good for him.

Reed turned. An unmarked cop car sped toward them, its blue dash light flashing.

“At least he isn’t blaring the siren,” Verity said. She sighed and met Reed’s eyes. “I just want you to know that I’m really, really sorry for what’s about to happen.”

Chapter Eight

The car pulled to a stop, engine still running, light still flashing, and a moment later, Assistant Police Chief Miles Jennings bolted from the driver’s side and raced toward them.

“I’m fine,” Verity told him quickly, brushing past Reed. “I’m not hurt.”

Jennings grabbed her and hugged her. Hard. Then just held on for a good twenty seconds, eyes squeezed shut, breathing ragged.

Verity hugged her brother back. “I’m okay,” Reed heard her murmur to Jennings. “I’m okay.”

Finally, Jennings raised his head and the relief—and the raw emotion—on his face had Reed looking away.

“You’re not hurt?” Jennings asked Verity hoarsely.

“I’m not hurt. Not even a little.”

Jennings let go of Verity to turn and walk a few steps away. He hung his head and Reed saw the heavy rise and fall of his shoulders.

Verity took a step toward him. “Miles, I—”

Jennings whirled around and stormed up to her. “What in the hell were you thinking? For Christ’s sake, Verity! You could’ve been killed!”

This was none of Reed’s business. He should go. Get in his truck, take his dog home and get on with his night.

What was left of it.

But he didn’t like the way Jennings was talking to Verity. Hated the way she flinched, how her shoulders rounded as she wrapped her arms around herself.

No, he didn’t like that at all.

Instead of hauling ass out of there, he stepped forward until he stood between Verity and her asshat of a brother. Blocking her from him.

Protecting her.

“Take it easy,” he told the cop. “And take a step back.”

Jennings glanced at him in surprise. Guess he’d been so focused on his sister, he hadn’t realized Reed was even there.

“This isn’t your business, Walsh,” Jennings ground out, his face stony.

He was right. Hadn’t Reed thought the same thing moments ago?

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