"Good.It's one less thing they can pin on him."Baddy took out his phone and tapped the screen.
"They can't pin anything on him.He didn't do anything wrong.It's not illegal to buy gas."She shifted on the seat, not able to stay still.
At this moment, the cop could shoot Hunter or arrest him, not understanding that he was deaf.If she could go back and explain to the policeman that Hunter hadn't done anything wrong, she could help.She wouldn't even bring up Jason's name.
And if Jason issued a warrant for Hunter's arrest, she could explain how Hunter helped her.All they had to do was get Leigh somewhere safe, and then she could help.
It no longer mattered if it put her in danger of Jason finding her.All she cared about was getting Leigh to safety and helping Hunter.
"Yeah, Prez, this is Baddy.The state patrol got Hunter."Baddy looked out the window."No, I've got the women.But I need someone to come and take them somewhere, so I can go to the police station and see what I can do to bail Hunter out."He ran his hand through his hair."I don't know.Probably a trumped-up charge.If Stevens is behind this, he probably wants them to hold Hunter until he can get here."
Annie swallowed over the lump choking her.This was her worst nightmare.
"Sis?"Leigh held up her hand."Help me up."
She pulled Leigh up to the seat beside her and fell into her arms."Hunter..."The word broke in her throat.She couldn't say more.
Her heart pounded, every beat screaming at her to go back, to fight, to do something.But she couldn't.She couldn't put Leigh at risk.
Beside them, Baddy's jaw was tight, his knuckles white on the wheel.He listened to the other end of the phone call.Another pain of guilt hit her.She had the cell in her pocket that Hunter gave her and Leigh.Had she had time to text and warn him when the police arrived?Would he have felt the vibration in his pocket and read a text before it was too late?
Everything happened so fast, it wouldn't have made any difference, but knowing she hadn't even tried to help him sat heavily on her shoulders.She let her panic win.
Annie leaned forward, her eyes burning."He didn't hear," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else."He couldn't hear him."
Leigh squeezed her hand, tears spilling down her cheeks."He'll be okay.He's tough and smart."
Annie pressed her forehead against the dashboard, fighting the sob that threatened to break free.She couldn't lose him.Not now.Not when she hadn't even had a chance to tell him how she was falling in love with him.
Chapter 20
The small interrogationroom at the police station was only big enough for one person.Hunter crossed his arms, leaning back in the chair, and kept his eyes on the two officers pushing down on him.He refused to budge, keeping his boots firmly planted on the floor.
They'd already done the worst thing they could do to him.They'd taken his Royalla vest.His hunting knife.His phone.
Two law enforcement officers faced him from the other side of the small table.One leaned forward, speaking, but Hunter couldn't catch a word.The man's overgrown mustache covered his mouth, hiding the shape of his lips.The other policeman spoke more animatedly, making it clearer for Hunter to see what was said, though it wasn't perfect.He'd often turn away from him and speak toward the other man.Hunter caught fragments— suspect...kidnapping...questions.
