Page 2 of Rules

"I rescued him," I felt the need to explain to Law.

"What?" Law sparked. "You mean all those rumors about you are wrong? You really do have a heart?"

Ruth giggled, and the sound went straight to my dick. Now, I really wanted to punch Law. Instead, we all stood frozen, awkwardly staring at each other.

"Tobias, would you please put him back while I deliver this bouquet? It was nice to meet you, Law." Ruth spun away, her skirt flaring as she headed to the next building, taking her beauty and the scent of paradise with her.

"Anything you want to share?"

"What?" I was still staring at the door like some lovesick teenager. I cleared my throat and petted Joey. "Share? What's to share?"

"Well, we could start with the sparks flying between you two. Damn, you all could start a bonfire." He crossed his arms.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Law chuckled. "Listen, my friend, from one bachelor to another. If you don't make a move, someone else will."

"Meaning you?" I asked, using a more aggravated tone than I meant to.

"I could ask her out. She's pretty."

I turned to face him. "Do it and I'll shoot you."

"HA!" Law's loud outburst made Joey jump. "I knew it. There is something going on between you two."

"No, there isn't anything at all. Maybe, I'm just looking for an excuse to shoot you." I backed away, needing distance. I stepped to the open van door and deposited the unhappy Joey onto it, then closed the door. Stepping back, I pointed at Law. "No. Just... no."

"Your loss." Law's voice followed me as I retreated to my cruiser. "Let me know when you're ready for my crew's licenses and paperwork. I'll swing by and sign the permits."

"Yeah, yeah," I quickly stepped to my vehicle. "Keep me up to date on what Mouse and Keyboard find."

Pulling away from the curb, I caught a glimpse of Ruth exiting the shop. My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I watched her wave to Law. Fuck, if he knows what's good for him, he'll leave her alone. Sure, she was too young, too beautiful, too much of... everything for me. I mean, I had to consider what the town folks would say. But there was no way in hell I was letting Wallace Summers anywhere near her. No. Way. In. Hell!

The conversation in my head continued all the way back to the station. Who was I kidding? I knew from years of knowing him that Ruth wasn't Law's type. He was just trying to get a reaction out of me. I blew out a breath as I drove by the entrance to the park. The same park where Ruth Manchester entered my life. She'd been in my head since that night. The conversation and the way she'd looked, her laugh, how perfectly she'd fit against me.

"Messages, Sheriff." Holly's voice dragged me back to reality. She dropped a stack of papers on my desk. "The FBI sent over the preliminary report on Michael's escape."

I glanced up at her. "We've talked about messages before."

Holly, who had expertly kept this office and me together ever since I took the position, picked up the stack and put them in the far corner of my desk, then picked up a piece of paper and covered them.

"Better?" she asked.

"Yes, thank you. Now, the FBI report, any more dead?"

"Just the two agents, like we initially heard." Holly's face was grim. "They're certain he had inside help."

"I think so too. But with Michael's level of karate, Law's not so certain." I leaned forward on my desk. "Cameron Whitaker said Michael always had a contingency plan. That being caught off guard was not something Michael allowed." That thought made my skin crawl.

"What a damn weasel," Holly shook her head.

"That's an insult to weasels. Could you find out if Evelyn Whitaker is home? I think I better tell them about this in person."

"I figured, so I called, she's there." Holly's efficiency was one of her best qualities. "You think he'll come back here, don't you?"

I met her eyes. Holly had been with the department long enough to know when something wasn't right. "Michael's not the type to just disappear. He'll want..."

My phone buzzed. Law.

---