Page 134 of Watch Me Burn
“Was that before or after he struck you?”
I grab the ice pack on the cushion next to me and place it against my bruised cheek. “After.”
“She’s answered these questions multiple times, Sheriff Mills.” Damien’s voice comes from behind her, only it’s his wolf voice, low and dangerous. “Must you make her keep reliving the events from this evening? Shouldn’t you be out trying to find the bastard?”
I look up at him, and he’s scowling, and for some reason, it makes me want to smile.
“We’re almost done, but let me ask you.” Karen stands to look at him. “After you shoved Mr. Hunter’s head into that wall and he fled, you immediately called your security consultant—” Karen checks her notes again, “—Cade Crawford?”
“Cade isn’t my security consultant. He’s the COO of my company, and he oversees our security division. I asked him to pull the security footage. I figured you’d need it. But when he discovered Luna’s system was offline, I instructed him to come up here immediately to assess it on-site.”
Karen raises a skeptical eyebrow. “In a helicopter?”
“My company maintains a rapid response team on standby at all times. Standard procedure when there’s a potential threat to my person or property.”
“And Dr. Foster is your property?” Karen doesn’t bother to hide the edge in her voice.
Damien’s eyes go cold and flat, but I cut in before he can say whatever lethal thing is forming on his tongue.
“Damien and I have been dating for a few weeks, Karen. I told you that. I—”
“Luna’s safety is the most important thing to me, Sheriff Mills. I always have a helicopter on standby to get me or my team to her at a moment’s notice.”
I don’t know whether he’s lying or not, but something tells me he’s telling the truth. A warm shiver ripples through me, and the way his eyes snap to me, I know he saw it.
“And where is this helicopter now?” Karen asks.
“Parked on my helipad next door. I’m more than happy to show it to you if you need to see it.”
“Not at this time, but thank you.”
Karen makes another note on her pad. “Convenient that Mr. Crawford arrived so quickly. Even faster than I was able to get here.”
“Not convenience, Sheriff Mills. Efficiency.” Cade steps forward from his position near the door. Unlike Damien’s calculated charm, Cade exudes an aura of military discipline and barely restrained power. The perfect attack dog for a man like Damien Wolfe.
Outside, a forensics team photographs the front porch and driveway, their flashlights dancing like fireflies in the darkness. Police radios crackle, voices too low to make out the words.
The clock on the wall reads 10:57 PM. Has it only been four hours since Caleb stumbled into my life for the last time? Since I watched Damien kill him with his bare hands? Since I agreed to lie to protect him, a killer, the same killer who’s been in my bed for months and in my heart for almost as long?
My hands shake. I press them flat against my thighs, hoping no one notices.
“Luna!”
Maren bursts through the front door, shaking off the deputy who tries to stop her. Her dark curls are wild around her face, and her eyes are wide with panic. She rushes to me, dropping to her knees in front of my chair.
“Jesus Christ, I know you told me not to come until tomorrow, but there is no fucking way I was waiting. Are you okay? What happened?” She lifts her hands, letting them hover just beside my cheeks. “Shit, your face.”
“I’m fine.” I catch her shaking fingers in mine.
Maren’s sharp gaze takes in the room. Karen with her notepad, the deputies hovering near the doors, the forensics team visible through the windows, Cade by the stairs, and finally, Damien standing beside my chair.
“You.” Venom drips from that single syllable. “Is this because of you? What the hell did you do?”
“Maren, stop. Damien didn’t do anything. He saved me. I told you, it was Caleb.”
“I’m going to kill that bastard if I ever see him again.”
Don’t say things like that right now, Maren. I’m barely holding it together.
