Page 86 of Brooke's Bliss
“They all involve the three of you, and while I’m confusedabout how he’s going about it, I think he’s either looking for a way to make itseem like an accident or waiting for the right time.I would rather be safethan sorry.”Nate stood.“Do we have any idea where Brooke and Bay are?”
Shane stood, too.“I have to get back to the G.We’ve got abunch of stuff planned with Nell and Henry this afternoon.Trev expects me backto help.I think Lucy’s coming out, too.Noah’s teaching them about cattletoday.”
He didn’t want to leave Bliss.He didn’t want Brooke to haveto leave.She was just settling in.
Would Bay even believe him, or would he think this wasanother way to get out of town?
Damn it.He wasn’t like that.Bay was the one who felt thedeep need to roam around.Shane wanted a home, wanted roots.He didn’t mindtravel, but he wanted a place that was his.Someplace where no one could tosshim out like trash or forbid him entry.
“Hey, Shane.”Max sounded more than serious now.He stoodand put a hand on Shane’s shoulder.“This is going to be okay.You and Bay aregoing to be fine, and we’ll figure out how to protect you.Well, Nate andlikely Stef will.Maybe we could bring a couple of guards out here.We’ll tellthat Taggart fellow to send some cute ones since I know the new waitress theyhired down at Trio is looking.”
“Also, Del at the school.Sabrina promised her she could gettwo men as her signing bonus,” Gemma quipped.“And I wouldn’t worry about Shanegoing back to the G this afternoon if Henry’s going to be there.How about wecall Stef and see about a couple of bodyguards?Until then we can take turnswatching them.At night they can hole up at Stef’s or stay with Seth.Both haveexcellent security, and that way Brooke can finish her work.”
Max snorted and started to say something.
Shane pointed a finger his way.“Don’t you dare make less ofBrooke’s work.”
Max sighed.“Sorry.Force of habit.I wish she’d becomesomething I can understand.”
He wasn’t going to argue with his future brother-in-law.“Ineed a ride back to the G.I should talk to them before they come into town.Brooke’s going to be at the theater soon if I don’t catch her.”
There was the squawking sound of the radio and Gemma hustledto pick it up.“Go ahead, Tate.”
“Hey, Gemma.We’re bringing in two men suspected of assaultand battery at Stella’s.The alleged victim is being looked at by Doc, but I’mnot so sure I trust him to actually fix what those cowboys broke.Apparently hewas flirting with one of their girlfriends.I would say both because of wherewe are, but one of them is already married, so I don’t think she belongs toboth of them.It would be a weird trio since one of them is old.”
“I am not old, asshole,” a familiar voice said.
“Rye?”Max had the biggest grin on his face.“Hey, Nate, isyour new twelve-year-old deputy hauling my brother in?”
“He is not twelve but apparently yes,” Nate growled.“Tate,what happened?Did you say Rye Harper got caught fighting?Tell me he didn’tbeat the crap out of Bay Kent.”
Shane’s gut went tight.“Is Bay all right?”
“He did not beat the crap out of me,” Bay complained overthe line.“Though I did have to protect him from a guy who practically crappedhis pants.”
“Hey, he got a couple of good hits in,” Rye replied.
The deputy was back.“Uh, no, Sheriff.Apparently theyfought the guy from New York City together.We’re about three minutes out.Could someone get a cell ready for me?”
Well, at least they were getting along.
* * * *
Bay didn’t like handcuffs or getting his ass hauledaway via police vehicle no matter how comfy said vehicle was.It sucked.
But nothing sucked more than the look Brooke had given him.Like she was disgusted.
“Stop it, Bailey Kent.You stop it right now,” she’d yelled.
He hadn’t listened.He’d seen red when he’d caught that manwith his hands on her.The fucker had her backed up against the window, andthere had been nowhere for her to go.He had no idea who the asshole was, andhe didn’t care.No one laid hands on her.No one.
When the deputy had come in and hauled him off the guy,Brooke had stood there with tears streaking down her face as though she’d losther last friend.
“Okay.We need to figure out how we’re going to play thisbecause Brooke will not be far behind.”Rye sat beside him.“Honestly, if thisdeputy had an ounce of experience in his adolescent body, he would have walkedus to the station.It’s literally at the end of the block.This is stupid.”
“This is protocol, Mr.Harper,” the deputy explained.“And Iam twenty years old and have an associate’s degree in criminal justice.”
“Whoop-de-do, buddy.Look, son, I used to be the sheriff ofthis town and if you’re a slave to protocol, you’re going to have a tough time.What the hell are you going to do when the next alien invasion happens?”
