“I’ll call the sheriff now,” He tells him, “Get this ball rolling.”
The investigator dips his head to me where I’m leaning on the wall as he walks past and into the kitchen to make the call.
“I have a bad feeling,” Silas grumbles. “He got away with it once; he’s manipulative enough to get away with it again.”
“Fuck that,” Remy hisses. “We’re taking him down this time.”
“I will handle our father if this doesn’t have the outcome we want.”
“Like fuck you will,” Silas growls to his brother, the weight in Roman’s words leaving an icy feeling inside my blood. The underlying threat there doesn’t leave much to the imagination, and I believe he would do it. For this place and his brothers. He will give them peace even if that peace comes at the cost of his own life and freedom.
My feet carry me to him of their own accord, fear making me move, to hold on. I lower beside him andreach for his hand, threading my fingers with his. He stills as he looks down at our joined hands before his thumb moves, circling the ring on my finger.
He meets my eyes but looks away quickly, back to Silas. “He won’t ever stop.”
“They’re sending a couple of deputies out this way,” The investigator comes back, pocketing his cell. “You’ll need to make a statement.” He tells me.
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” I assure him, but I’m looking at Roman and his brothers.
Chapter 35
I can feel Roman staring hard into the side of Oscar’s face, and I squirm as he moves my chin, his hand lingering while he takes photos of the bruising that has darkened considerably since yesterday. He drags his finger over my skin when he finally releases me, a knowing smirk on his mouth when he glances to Roman. I clear my throat and put some distance between us, letting Roman pull me to his side.
“We have a judge signing off on a warrant for your father’s arrest,” Oscar scribbles on his notepad. “Until then, hang tight. We’ll update you once he’s in custody.”
“And what are you charging him with?” Silas’s voice has an edge to it where he leans on the door, arms folded.
“Assault.”
“Not murder?”
“An investigation needs to be opened or reopened in this case, and that takes time. Assault will stick for now, and once he’s in our custody, we can go from there.”
Roman scoffs and shakes his head.
“It’s okay,” I press my hand to his chest, over his heart, ignoring the way Oscar homes in on my hand but Roman doesn’t. He leans down and seals his mouth to mine, claiming me in front of the deputy in a way that leaves no room for questions.
Oscar clears his throat. “We’ll be in touch.”
“You didn’t need to do that,” I laugh when we’re alone.
“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. You know him?” Roman frowns.
“Not really. We went to school together, but he left in Junior year. Guess he came back recently.”
“He saw the ring,” Roman grumbles, pouting.
“He knows I’m married, Roman. You don’t have to worry about him.”
“So what do we do now?” Remy sips his coffee. “Just wait around until someone calls us to tell us he was arrested? He could be halfway across the states by now.”
“Anywhere else is better than here,” Silas shrugs. “He knows he was caught. I doubt he’ll stick around, but that warrant will get posted and he’ll be found eventually.”
Unease tightens my stomach, but I push it down. This is hope, and I have to keep it that way. Silas is right, anywhere is better than here. He can’t hurt Roman if he’s nothere.
“I think I’m going to go for a swim.” I tell Roman, “Want to come?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. I’ll have my cell,” He tells his brothers. “I’ll call if I hear anything.”
