Page 48 of Deceit & Desire

Deputy Barton ambled over to where we were standing, hands-in-pockets, a shit-eating grin splitting his face. A sudden realization struck me. He was the same asshole who was off-duty and watching Zoe at the airport, the one who followed us into the elevator, the one I kissed Zoe in front of her first day home, hoping it’d make him uncomfortable enough to get the hell away from us. Now, his eyes were practically dancing with glee as he surveyed us, eyeing Zoe like a hungry wolf.

“Well, well, well… looks like somebody finally fucked up trying to destroy evidence in a truck with your daddy’s ranch’s name on the side of it. That wasn’t real smart now, was it, sweetheart?”

Zoe crossed her arms and stared him down, her expression ice cold. “Or your best buddy Michael is so desperate to frame us for Missy’s death that heborroweda truck from the ranch last night to make it look like one of us was trying to destroy the evidence your father willingly covered up until he was on his deathbed. Did you ever stop to consider that angle?”

Deputy Barton tapped a mock-thoughtful finger against his chin, that shit-eating grin of his never faltering.

“Well, that’s quite the theory, Mrs. York. But it’s a little hard to believe, don’t you think? Sounds like somebody’s grasping at straws.”

He took a step closer to Zoe, lowering his voice to a mockingly conspiratorial tone.

“Or maybe you’re just deflecting because you know we’re getting too close to the truth.”

I stepped between Zoe and Barton, using my broad frame to block the deputy’s view of her, speaking in a low, dangerous growl.

“If you’ve got something to say, Barton, say it to me. Leave my wife out of your bullshit.”

Deputy Barton smirked, unfazed, and leaned slightly to the side to catch a glimpse of Zoe around me.

“Oh, don’t worry, Roman. I’ll be asking both of you plenty of questions down at the station. But right now, I’m just enjoying the view.”

I balled my fist up, ready to punch Barton in the mouth as Landon stepped in between us, his voice sharp and authoritative.

“That’s enough, Barton. You’re here to do your job, not run your mouth.”

Landon turned to Zoe, then, his tone softening.

“Zoe, I’m sorry about this. You know I don’t believe for a second that you or Roman had anything to do with this, but we have to follow protocol.”

Zoe exhaled sharply, her frustration clear but tightly controlled as she met Landon’s gaze with a sharp nod. “Fine. But if Barton says one more word to me that isn’t strictly professional, I’m calling the sheriff personally and filing a formal complaint for harassment.”

I glared at Barton over the top of Landon’s shoulder, irritated that he was still standing in between us.

“She won’t have to. I’ll take care of it myself.” I held Barton’s gaze as I said it, my voice firm and final, daring him to come at me.

“Is that a threat, Roman?” Barton sneered. “I’d love to have some new charges to add to the list?—”

“No, it’s a promise. I don’t just let people talk to my wife any type of way and let it slide… I don’t give a damn if you’re a deputy or not.” I stepped forward and Landon planted a hand in the middle of my chest, holding me back, shaking his head.

“Whoa, whoa. That’s enough. Let’s not give him a reason, Roman.”

Landon glared at Barton over his shoulder and spoke through clenched teeth, his tone sharp.

“Barton, stand down. Now.”

Miss Smith stomped back out onto the porch, arms crossed and glaring at Deputy Barton as she spoke, her sharp voice cutting through the tension in the yard like a knife.

“Is there a reason why you’re all still standing here? Mr. Brandt doesn’t need this stress!” She flicked her gaze at Landon, then. “You, gethimout of here and come explain what’s going on to Mr. Brandt before I make it my problem.”

Landon looked a bit like he wanted to throw up at the thought of facing Mr. Brandt and sending me to the station with Barton now, and I couldn’t really say I blamed him on either count.

Landon fisted his hand in my shirt and gave me a shake to snap me out of my stare down with Barton. “Can I trust you not to do something stupid if I send you to the station with Barton, or am I going to have to send Zoe in with him instead?”

“No! Don’t send Zoe with him.” The thought of Zoe being taken into the station by Deputy Barton was like having a bucket of ice water dumped in my face. I shook my head and straightened up, squaring my shoulders. “I won’t be a problem, I swear. Just... don’t send Zoe with him. Please.”

Zoe threw her arms around my neck and kissed me, her body trembling against mine. I could feel fear and adrenaline rolling off her in waves as I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight.

“Be careful, baby. I love you,” she whispered the words against my lips, still shaking, her eyes wide with terror. “I know we didn’t do what they think we did, Rome. You better come home to me, you hear?”

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