“No apology necessary. I get it. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Tell Mercy I’m looking forward to that drink.”
Lincoln’s eyes lit up. “You guys are going out together?”
She nodded.
“That’s great.” He dashed down the hallway.
She didn’t know why he cared if they had drinks but didn’t question it. “Is it me, or is he acting oddly today?”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him the last few days.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “You good?”
“Yes. Thanks to you. You always make me feel safe.”
“You do the same for me.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “I’m so glad you came. I wouldn’t want you meeting with the sheriff’s office without me there with you.”
“It’s not like they’re going to arrest me.”
“I know. But you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you. Always.”
She loved hearing that and knowing he meant it. “I don’t want to do it alone. I need you.”
Hawk pressed his forehead to hers and linked their fingers in both hands. “Need you, too, sweetheart.” He kissed her again, this time longer and deeper, until she melted into him. “Let’s go see what Jase has to say.”
Chapter Eighteen
You know those sayings? Actions speak louder than words. The way people treat you shows you who they really are and how they really feel about you. But also…when someone tells you who they are, believe them.
Well, Hawk was everything he seemed to be and more. Sweet. Kind. Caring. Incredibly sexy. The man looked amazing in black jeans, a dark red button down with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of heavy black work boots. The chrome watch with the dark blue face probably cost three to four times her monthly mortgage. Well, she didn’t know watches all that well, so it could cost even more. It looked like it could be more expensive than her car with all the tiny dials and gears inside it. She definitely didn’t own anything to wear that expensive.
But it wasn’t the way he looked, the expensive car he drove, the gorgeous home, the nice clothes, or the money he had. Nope. It was the way he held her hand on the drive to the sheriff’s department. It was the way he looked at her, checking in tobe sure she wasn’t getting too nervous or having another panic attack. It was the way he turned off the car in the parking lot, brought her hand to his lips, kissed her palm, then told her, “Let me get the door for you.”
He opened the door, took her hand again, linking their fingers, then pulled her close and kissed her on the head. “Everything’s going to be all right.”
She believed him, even though there was no evidence to support that except his promise that he’d find a way to end this.
“Thank you for coming with me.”
He hooked his arm over her shoulders and walked with her toward the building. “Nowhere I’d rather be than with you.”
She looked up at him, catching his eye. “Me, too.”
He kissed her softly, then opened the door for her and let her lead the way inside.
“There you are,” Jase called out from a large open space, cubicles marking out several desk areas. Jase waved them over, grabbing an extra chair from a nearby cubicle. He sat in his chair, then waved for them to do the same.
She took the chair closest to Jase so she could see the file opened in front of him. “What did you want to talk about?”
Hawk didn’t sit. He stood behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. Support. Comfort. He offered her everything she needed and more.
Jase rubbed his fingers over his brow. “I have nothing but you telling me that you saw Neil at the bar that night. His alibi is shit. I know it. You know it. But I can’t place him at the bar. Have you remembered anything else about that night?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I just see the same thing. Him coming toward me asking, ‘Are you going to let me see her now?’”
Jase perked up, a knowing look in his eyes. “Why would he say it like that to you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Things are really hazy after that. It’s all in and out of consciousness.”
