“Willard,” Jagger nodded, all business. “I believe the press has already gotten wind of the incident on the mountain. Might want to coordinate the team.”
A second ticked by. I braced for a standoff, fully expecting someone to throw a punch.
But instead, Willard mumbled something under his breath and walked away.
Phoenix turned back to me, leaned down to my window. His voice was low. Fierce.
“Don’t roll this window down for anyone else. Do you understand me?”
I frowned. “But?—”
“For no one. I’ll be right back.”
He didn’t wait for my answer before stepping aside with Jagger. They fell into quiet conversation. I noticed the way Phoenix’s posture eased around the detective—relaxed, almost familiar. He kept glancing at me, though. Like I was a magnet he couldn’t help checking on.
They were friends, clearly. Or something close. Good to know.
Then all heads turned toward the road as a white media van screeched to a stop at the end of the driveway. A petite blonde in designer heels jumped out, barking orders at her cameraman who struggled to keep up.
Before I could blink, my door opened and Phoenix slid behind the wheel.
The cab filled with the smell of him—fresh rain, warm skin, and something darker, like leather and adrenaline.
“Wait,” I whisper-hissed. “You’re not supposed to be driving. You’re going to get arrested.”
The engine roared to life as Detective Jagger—massive,broad-shouldered—stepped directly in front of the windshield, blocking the view like a human barricade.
Definitely friends.
Phoenix hit the gas, tires sliding slightly in the mud, and just like that, we were gone. The crowd, the cameras, the chaos—fading behind us in the rearview mirror.
Silence filled the cab.
Then—
“Talk.”
I flinched. “What? About what?”
“I want you to tell me everything you told the cops.”
“You were standing right there.”
“I want to hear it again. From the moment you found the bear on your bed, to the recorder Andrew said he found inside it. Everything. Just you and me.”
I blew out a breath. “I don’t want to repeat everything right now. I’m?—”
The truck lurched to a stop, skidding several feet on the muddy road. My body pitched forward, caught only by the seatbelt.
“Someone broke into your goddamn house and was recording you, Rose!” His voice exploded, eyes wild and unfiltered. That same fury I’d seen in my office crackled beneath the surface.
My entire body went rigid.
“Calm down, Phoenix.”
“I willnotcalm down until you tell me everything again. And if you leave one single detail out, so help me?—”
“Fine!”
