Page 109 of Surly Sheriff
“He can stay,” Rae whispered.
His gaze shifted from the dog to her. His mouth tightened, his nostrils flaring as he breathed. In. Out. He nodded and stepped up behind Jack. “See you tonight, kiddo,” he said, dropping akiss on Jack’s head. “Be good for Momma and keep an eye on Kismet for me.”
“Okay, Mister Beau,” he said, vigorously moving his head up and down.
Beau placed his hand around her forearm and tugged her across the floor to the front door. He lifted his departmental cap, pulling it on his head, palmed his keys, and opened the door. They both stepped out.
“That Mister Beau shit stops tonight. The boy needs to know I’m his father,” he ground out.
Too choked up, she merely nodded.
“Good.” He fiddled with the key ring, removing one. “Side door. Do you remember the alarm code?”
Taking the proffered key, she said, “Yes.” The metal was cool against her palm, and she fisted her hand.
“Do you trust me?”
That question made her give him a sharp look. “You know I do.”
“You didn’t before,” he bit out.
His words brought a flush of shame to her face. “I trust you, Beau,” she whispered.
“Besides ordering the upgrade to the alarm system, I’m calling in some people to help keep you and Jack safe.”
“What? No!”
“No arguments, Rae. You came here, brought Jack here. That puts me in charge.”
“But—”
He placed a finger on her mouth. “I need assurances that you and Jack are protected when I am unable to see to it myself. Trust me to select the right people for that very important task.” He dropped his arm.
“Okay,” she conceded, her lips tingling from his touch.
The relief on his face was echoed by his words. “Thank you.” He stepped back. “See you—” He halted, a frown forming. “Just remembered … whatever happened to your father?”
“Igor Petrov,” she bit out, “was not worthy of that title. Caught up in the first round of arrests years ago, the coward couldn’t withstand the harsh prison conditions. He died within a year.”
“And your mother was Vasily’ssister, not sister-in-law.”
She nodded. “Igor was the son of a Russian oligarch, and his marriage to Mama a business deal.”
“And last … your sister. Katerina.” He gave a crooked smile. “Guess it’s not her name anymore. Does she need our help?”
That he considered her sister’s safety touched her. “She’s fine.”
“Not part of the new trial?”
“No.”
Beau tilted his head. “What happened to her?”
Sticky ground. And she didn’t want to give him half-baked answers. He deserved the truth. The whole truth. But … “It’s her story to tell.”
He raised his brows at her cryptic answer.
“Please, Beau, don’t press the subject.”
