Page 142 of The Vigilant

“Trusting me isn’t enough?” she snapped again, and my jaw twitched.

“Not anymore.” I stood my ground. She’d fought on her own for so damn long, and we’d let her. Part of this was on us, but no more. Not after I saw how fighting alone had almost broken Sutton. “You’re not doing this alone anymore, Robyn. And I’m definitely not letting you walk out of here to fight a battle with only him on your side.”

“I promise nothing will happen to her,” Remington said and stepped forward, about to reach for Robyn, until Dare’s hand swung out and caught him by his collar.

“And why should I believe the word of a criminal?” Dare snarled, his temper showing.

“You shouldn’t,” Remington replied calmly.

“Don’t—” Rob spun and threatened, but it was too late.

Remington smiled and added, “But you should believe the word of her husband.”

There was no time for questions or answers or even a full understanding of what and how that was possible. The only thing that mattered was Rob’s chin dropping like a gavel and the guilty look in her eyes when we waited for her to deny it.

But she didn’t. Couldn’t.

Somehow, some way, Robyn was married to Damon Remington. And now, the rest of us had no choice but to do as she asked.

“I’ll contact you when I know more. Until then, don’t try to find me. It’s not safe,” she said softly and then looked to me. “Tell Mara I’m sorry.”

In the next minute, they were in her black Mercedes Coupe, tires squealing as Remington floored it down the drive.

“What in the actual fuck…”

I grunted, echoing his sentiment, and then clipped, “A question for a later time. Right now, we have to come up with some explanation for the FBI.”

“She’smarriedto Remington?” Sutton stared at me several hours later, her eyes unable to go any wider.

“Apparently,” I grunted and pulled her into my arms.

She tipped back, her eyes scrutinizing me. “And you just let her go with him?”

“First off, I’m pretty sure she was prepared to cut anyone who tried to stop her,” I drawled.

“And second?”

I sighed and dipped my head. “He has no intention of hurting her.”

“He’s a criminal,” she protested. “You can’t know that.”

I reached up and cupped her face. “Oh, I can.”

“How?”

“Because he looked at her the way I look at you.”

I savored the sharp pull of her inhale and the way color rose to her cheeks. “And what way is that?” she murmured, already tipping her mouth up to mine.

“Like now that he’s found her, he’s never letting her go.”

Epilogue

Sutton

One year later…

I groaned and buried my face in my hands.

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