He’s obviously never met a Riversider before.
We look after our own.
“What did Ezra do to deserve it, Miss Lee?”
“He’s a jerk,” I say, sitting forward in my seat. “It should be Ezra behind bars, not Kai. If anyone would hurt Melissa, it’s him.”
Thatcher is staring at me with such a carefully neutral face that my heart pounds.
I can’t believe I just said all of that to a fucking cop.
I’m such a fucking narc.
“If he hadn’t been all broken up and shit, of course,” I say through an unsteady laugh, plucking my hands free and trying to wave away the accusation I just flung Ezra’s way. “I mean, good luck sneaking out of a hospital in his condition, right?”
Deputy Thatcher’s chest rises as he takes a long, slow breath. “Kai didn’t tell you his brother was released last week?”
My heart just cannonballed into my stomach.
“No,” I mumble.
“What makes you think Ezra would want to hurt Melissa?”
For fuck’s sake.
“I didn’t say he wanted to.”
“I believe you were very clear, Miss Lee.”
I turn toward the mirror, then jerk my gaze away when I remember there’s probably someone back there watching.
“Ezra’s always been mean to Kai. What happened at the party was just…” I struggle to think of the right words, biting the inside of my lip. “Sibling rivalry.”
“I’d say it’s more than that.”
“That’s your opinion.” I tack on a begrudging, “Sir,” that feels more condescending than anything else.
Thatcher sighs like I’ve got him beat. At least, that’s what he wants me to think. Because he switches gears so fast, my head reels.
“Other than the incident at the Rain Dance, have you ever known Mr. Jordan to resort to violence?”
My green-eyed boy in the woods Kai?
No.
But this new college-frat-boy Kai?
Yes.
“I’m not sure how you’re not getting this, but he wouldn’t hurt Melissa.” I try not to sound like a total bitch, but knowing the deputy is doing this on purpose to get a rise out of me—well, it’s getting a fucking rise out of me.
“You sound so very certain again, Miss Lee.”
“Because I am. I know Kai.”
“Even though you can’t account for his whereabouts? Even though Miss Parker named him specifically as her attacker?”
It feels like I can’t get enough air in my lungs. “She’s still saying that?” I whisper.
