I crouch in front of Duke. I have violent déjà vu of being carted away twice in handcuffs. I should’ve ended Alec’s life the first time. I should’ve destroyed him so we wouldn’t be worried about whether he’s lurking in the shadows waiting for his next chance to attack.
But my life would be behind bars. And my heart wouldn’t reside with a gorgeous redhead and our two unborn children.
Rogue would be a different man than the one he’s become with Ivy at his side. Dizzy wouldn’t have found us. We would never have learned about West.
God alone knows how Riot would have been changed if I’d killed Alec that night when I found him on top of Ro.
“I really want to hurt you for what you put Summer through.”
He gulps. “I don’t know what she told you, but everyone knows she’s a liar.”
“No, she’s not.” I study my hands as I run my thumb over my knuckles.
“I’m the mayor. She was chased out of town years ago. No one is going to side with her against me. And I will never admit it was anything more than what she wanted.”
“You will. You’ll confess to what you and your pals did to Summer back in high school. You’re going to tell everyone how you followed that up by slandering and bullying her.” The people around here are going to learn their beloved mayor isn’t a good guy like they think. “And you’ll confess to killing the goat.”
A bewildered look glazes his face. “What goat?”
“Goat?” Storm’s brow gathers low over his eyes as he turns to Owen.
Owen catches on quicker. “Are you telling me this fucker had something to do with Stains’ disappearance, Hollywood?”
It was nice bonding with them while it lasted.
The rumble of the truck’s engine turns into a quieter idle, indicating that Jett has made it to the top of the driveway.
“You want her gone because people might realize they got it wrong about you,” I say. “You killed the goat to scare her.”
“I didn’t know she was here,” Duke says.
“Now, that’s not true.” I crack my knuckles. “You sent her a welcome home card. Told her to leave.”
He sucks in a sharp breath and freezes.
“What card?” Storm asks.
“No wonder she’s been so unhappy about being home,” Owen folds his arms over his chest. “Looks like I pegged you wrong, Hollywood.”
I wrap my hand around Duke’s throat and wait until he looks at me. “You threatened my woman. And I have had enough of assholes coming for the people I care about. I’m all out of morals, and I’m not afraid to do time for her. Understand?”
He nods.
“Did you send her a card or not?” I already know he did. It was one of those cards that record sounds, according to Summer, and she was adamant it was him because the idiot also wrote in it. But I want to hear it from him.
“She shouldn’t be here.” His lip curls up in an ugly manner. “Nobody wants her here.”
“You thought you’d help her decide to leave.”
“I didn’t do anything but tell her the truth.”
“Did you threaten her?” I make a fist, but refrain from plowing it into his face again. I need information more than the satisfaction of watching his lights go out.
“It was more of a warning.” The corners of his mouth tip up. He catches it but not before I do. “People around here have long memories.”
Ignoring his pitiful threat I say, “Tell me about the goat. Did you kill it yourself? Or did you talk one of your friends into doing the dirty work for you?”
“I’m telling you I don’t know anything about a damn goat.”
