Page 28 of Axe-ing for Trouble
Parker tilted her head, regarding Mila, then nodded. “You’re good.”
“No shit,” she replied. “So let’s make a plan.”
Despite the fear still consuming me, I couldn’t help but be proud of her for fighting for what she believed in.
Parker put up a hand. “Okay, okay. We will. But for now, you should lay low. When I’m officially on the job in a month or two—”
“We can’t wait that long.” Mila’s pitch rose, her breathing coming in short pants like she was in pain. Her ribs were probably killing her. “Things change day to day. Who knows how long this information will be good for. You’ve got to move now.”
With a shake of her head, Parker looked at me. “I thought being a small-town police chief would mean dealing with speeding tickets and lost pets.”
“Sorry.” I shrugged. “But we’ve waited years for a lead like this.”
“I need to go pick my daughter up from daycare. Can I trust you to stay here?”
Mila grimaced. “For how long?”
“Give me two weeks. Stay in the house. Let your shoulder heal. Read, relax, spoil the dog. Do not get yourself killed or do anything that would clue them in to your whereabouts or give away that we’re on to them.”
“But my evidence—”
“Let me worry about that. Just hit pause for a damn minute and give me time to catch up.”
Mila bit her lip and narrowed her eyes. From her expression, she wasn’t thrilled about being told to stand down.
Parker arched a brow at me. “Jude, can I trust you to keep her contained?”
Honestly, it was unlikely. Though I didn’t know Mila well, I could guarantee she wasn’t the kind of woman who could be contained or controlled. But I’d do everything I could to protect my family and end this once and for all. If that meant babysitting her, even if she fought me over it, I’d do it.
“Yes. She’ll stay here. I’ll keep her safe. We’re out of the way up here, and I’ve got access to our camps if we need to get off the grid.”
Mila glared at me. It was the same expression she wore when she woke up and discovered she was in my bed. I was getting used to it pretty quickly.
Parker gave me a tight nod. “I’ll be in touch.”
I saw her out, and when I returned to the living room, Mila was pacing. Ripley was on her heels as she wore tracks in my area rug.
“I can’t wait weeks,” she said. “You’re gonna have to help me.”
A long breath escaped me. “Parker said to stand down.”
She halted her movements and tilted her head, looking unimpressed. “Not the first time I’ve been told that.”
I scoffed. “Shocking.”
She stuck her tongue out, her body relaxing a fraction. “You sure you don’t mind that I’m here?”
I stepped up to her, taking in the fading bruises on her face. “It’s no problem.” My hands itched to reach out and cup her jaw, but I fisted them at my sides, resisting the urge.
She grinned, clearly not as affected by our proximity as I was. “Because you’re gonna help me take these fuckers down?”
I frowned. “No, because I’m gonna keep you safe.”
With a step back, she rolled her eyes. “Who said we can’t do both?”
Chapter7
Mila
