Page 12 of Badges
Blackmail.
Shit.
I ain’t surprised. She doesn’t fit the profile of the last few fuckups who’ve been causing a ruckus.
“Who’s been making you?” I ask gently.
But she winces as if I slapped her, her lips thin and her spine straightens.
Fuck, I pushed too hard.
“I can’t.” Her chin juts as the defiant shroud covers her features again.
God damn it. This is going in circles.
“Well, what Icando is lock you up, charge you with about thirty felonies, and walk the heck away.” Shoving my seat back, I stand, towering over her. “I owe it to your mom to do my best to help you, but you gotta pull yourself up by your bootstraps and crawl outta that snake hole you’re hidin’ in.” I point at her, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. “That’s gonna just get you bit in the ass if you stay in there.”
I know I shouldn’t get pissed off about this, but there’s a crazy sense of ownership flooding through me.
Almost as if I’m responsible for her. I want to protect her.
But I can’t do it if she doesn’t give mesomething.
Storming out doesn’t make me feel any better.
Worse, really.
This is all so absolutelyfucked.
I have two deputies take her to holding. Maybe a little time to think is what she needs.
Besides, I need to go check on Blue.
“Sheriff?” Paige cracks the door to my office as I’m grabbing my keys.
“Make it quick,” I snap. My patience is gone.
“What’s the deal, huh?” Her arms cross her chest, pushing her breasts up.
That pose from her would have made me hard in the past, but now it just irritates me that she’s slowing me down.
“What are you talking about?” Standing behind my desk, I rest my palm on the back of my chair.
“Why is her mom so special?” Paige bats her eyes with a pouty lower lip.
“Listening in?” I should have known she would. “Jealous? Go cry on your husband’s shoulder.” I brush past her before she can say anything.
Maybe my next conversation with Elena should be away from prying ears.
Off the books
Elena
I’m not sure whathurts more, my pounding head, or my back from sleeping on the hard-ass metal bed in the holding cell.
They both are fighting for all of my attention.
I guess the only small perk is that this is a tiny jail. I’ve purposefully not asked for a lawyer because I’m not ready for anyone to know the truth.
