“On what grounds?”
His jaw tightened.
“Impeding an investigation.”
“Good luck making that stick.” She laughed humorlessly. “Listen very carefully, Chief. Leave me alone or I will take up my lawyer’s suggestion to sue both you and your department, and that’s not an idle threat.”
“Go ahead,” he sneered. “I’m more than willing to take my chances if it means making you pay for what you’ve done.”
“Don’t you mean making me pay for what you think my father did?” her voice dropped to a harsh hiss.
“Just what is it you think you know?” he bit out through clenched teeth.
“Nothing.”
“Let me make myself clear. I know you are working with your father, and as far as I’m concerned, you will both pay, whatever it takes.”
“So, the ends justify the means?” she scoffed. “That’s your reasoning? You don’t deserve to wear that badge.”
“I will ask you one last time before we take this discussion down to the police station.” His eyes flashed. “Where were you this afternoon?”
“She was with me.”
The chief straightened and turned stiffly toward Theo, his eyes cold and narrow.
“And what we did,” Theo continued, “is none of your business.”
Chief Walcott’s jaw clenched as he glared at Theo.
Jackson wandered over. “Is there a problem here, gentlemen?”
“No.” Theo folded his arms across his chest as he looked down at the chief. “There’s no problem, is there?”
Olivia couldn’t help it, but part of her curled with lust at the sight of Theo towering over the chief with a threatening expression.
Chief Walcott took one last look at the three of them and stormed out of the pub.
“Your cab’s waiting outside,” Jackson told them.
Olivia slid out of the booth, limping slightly as she got her balance, and put her arms around Jackson. “Thank you, Jackson,” she murmured in his ear.
“No problem.” He hugged her back and held out his hand to Theo. “Nice to meet you, Theo.”
Theo nodded sharply. They started toward the door, but halfway there, Olivia yelped in surprise as Theo scooped her off her feet.
“You were taking too long.” His mouth curved.
Shelley opened the door for them, laughing lightly as she watched them step out into the cold night air.
Theo dropped Olivia gently to her feet on the curb beside the car, mindful of her injured ankle, and opened the door for her. Her gaze tracked over his shoulder as she placed one hand on the open door.
“He’s watching us.”
Theo didn’t need her to elaborate. He turned, his eyes dark and dangerous, and glared at the chief. He didn’t like the man, and he still didn’t know how he felt about the knowledge that the chief had been involved intimately with another man. It was a sin, something that was against nature, but Olivia didn’t seem to have a problem with it, and once again, he found himself confused by the strange world he’d found himself in.
The chief stared back, his eyes narrowing angrily as he watched them.
“You want a ride or not?” the cab driver asked.
