Page 50 of Recklessly Rogue

“Initially we thought our house made the most sense,” Ben says. “We have three extra bedrooms, the big fenced-in yard, the playset outside, all of that.”

“And you’re closer to here,” Maggie adds.

“Right. But then we remembered the whole situation and keeping them safe and Will and Mandy live across the street from Rich Looper,” Ben says.

“I mean, they have two extra bedrooms and a nice yard too,” Wendy says.

“We can easily fence it in,” Dan comments.

“For sure,” Wendy agrees. “And we’ll have to do a little remodeling on the bedroom, but that will be fun.”

Everyone around the table nods.

I just look from one of them to the next.

They’re serious.

Not only about moving April and Elliot in with a couple who are not their family—that I know of—but everyone is going to pitch in to fix things up.

“Who is Rich Looper?” I finally ask.

“Bill Looper’s brother,” Ben says.

I wait. He doesn’t add anything more. I lift a brow. “And?”

Will jumps in. “If I say that Christopher is being problematic, bothering us, trespassing, harassing any of us, Bill will believe me because Rich and I get along great. We’ve been great neighbors for like twenty years.”

I sigh. “Give me a break, please? Who the fuck is Bill Looper?”

“Oh, right. Bill was the town cop until about three years ago,” Will explains.

“But he’s not now?” I clarify. “How does that help?”

“Everyone knows and respects Bill,” Maggie says.

They all nod.

“If Bill says Christopher is being problematic, people will believe us. And the current cops will act on it,” Ben says.

“The current cops won’t act on a harassment complaint untilyouall say it’s real?” I ask, frustration tightening my neck. I need to just get April and Elliot the hell out of here.

“Sure, they’ll talk to everyone, but if it becomes a he said-she said with Christopher, April will have influential people on her side,” Wendy further clarifies.

“Just because you all say so?” I ask.

They all look at one another, then back at me.

“Well… yeah,” Ben says.

Dan leans forward in his chair. “We all grew up here. We’ve worked here, raised our kids here, and been a part of the community. We’ve got some pull.”

I think about that. Do they have the power to protect April? Just by being a part of the town for a long time? Just by reputation?

I sit back. Ruby starts to slide her hand from my thigh, but I cover it with mine, keeping it right there.

“Will your opinions, your word, still matter?” I ask Dan.

He frowns. “Still? What do you mean?”

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