Page 15 of Badges
My head shakes on its own before I even register the question.
“Do you have someone like that who can keep you safe once you’re out?” He keeps pushing for all of these answers, as if there’s actually hope I’ll get out of here.
“No, it’s just me.” And my sister.
His palm wipes down his face, then he leans back with a groan. Pressing on his knees, he raises until he towers over his chair, then moves it against the wall.
When he leans over to pick up his hat, he wiggles his fingers for my tray.
“I’m gonna work on the D.A. to see if we can figure something out. If I find you a safe place, would you consider filling in more gaps?” He fidgets with the brim, then finally sets it over his russet curls.
I guess he’s on duty again.
“Maybe? Oh, Sheriff? Thanks for watching my mom. It’s nice to know she had some safe times.” I always wondered why she loved the ice cream parlor job so much.
Now it makes sense that it was the only time she felt protected.
The corner of his mouth turns up as the other side falls into a frown. “Yea, it was the least I could do.” He glances down at my empty dishes, then meets my gaze. “Please, call me Wade.”
As his footsteps fade, I tug the itchy blanket higher under my chin.
He’s given me a glimmer of hope. But at what cost?
Justified
Wade
It isn’t often Isee him angry.
But when Blue is pissed, he shows it over his whole face.
Red cheeks, biting eyes, and his jaw clenching so tightly I worry he’s gonna break his teeth.
“I still can’t believe you’re towing this fucking lie, Wade. She’s onvideodoing everything.” His finger jabs downward towards the cold tile of the hospital room.
I’m glad Libby isn’t here. She’d likely have her pistol pulled on me.
“She blew up our fucking dairy, Wade,” Blue grits. “She killed our cows. Explain to me why in the hell I should feel sorry for her?” He throws himself against the backrest of his bed, then winces, reaching for his injured shoulder.
“Easy, buddy.” I hold up my palms in a failing attempt to calm him. “Don’t go getting all worked up.”
“Wade,” he groans, his cheeks paling. “She could have hurt Libby.” His tone drops to a pained whisper. “Or our baby.” His fist clenches and he bounces it off his thigh.
I pull my Stetson from my head and fidget with the brim. “I get that you’re mad—”
“Fuck off, Wade. I’m pressing every charge in the universe of charges that can be thrown against her,” he growls.
“She was forced into it. I haven’t figured out all the details yet, but she’s been coerced into it under threat.” I spill the words out quickly before he can interrupt me again.
He raises up, pinning me with his icy blue eyes. “Did you ever think that maybe she’s just like her father? He was a piece of shit. Now she is too.”
Reflexively, I shake my head. I don’t believe it.
I could see the regret in Elena. The hesitation, and doubts.
She’s more like Maria. Too much since she’s so willing to take all the blame in order to save the person she cares about.
It isn’t a boyfriend or husband. Who could it be?
