Cole stepped out of the shadows and straightened to his full height, and whatever Judd had been about to say next died somewhere on its way out. His expression shifted from cocky to something considerably less certain, like a man who had just made a calculation and didn’t like the answer.
Aftyn stepped in until there was almost nothing between them. “I already reported you. Aunt Ping hired a PI, and he’s been following you since you left Colorado. And when you crossed state lines, you turned it into a federal felony. That means prison, Avery. Not probation. Prison.” She felt the vein in her temple pulse and didn’t try to stop it. “And I cannot wait.”
Avery’s perfectly shaped eyebrows shot up. “You wouldn’t. I’m your sister.”
“You are no sister of mine.” The words came out quiet and certain and felt better than shouting would have. “You don’t steal from people. You don’t steal from family.”
“We should talk about this.”
“There is nothing I want to hear from you.” Sheshifted her eyes to Judd, then back. “I knew you two were at it. Do you actually think he cares about you? He doesn’t. He’ll do to you exactly what he did to me.” She looked at Judd then, letting him have the full weight of it. “And you. You think she’s here for you? She’s here for your money. That’s all she’s ever after.”
“Aftyn—”
“Don’t.” Her voice dropped to nothing. “I’m done with you. You got probation last time. You won’t this time.”
She turned, found Cole’s hand, and walked away. Cole came with her, but she could feel him watching Judd over his shoulder, steady and unhurried, until they reached his truck.
****
Cole opened her door and she climbed in. He could feel the anger radiating off her and was quietly grateful none of it was pointed in his direction.
He got in, closed his door, and looked at her. Her hands were balled into fists in her lap.
“Are you alright?”
“No. But I will be.” She shook her head. “I cannot believe her. She stands there like she deserves a slap on the wrist and all I wanted to do was put her on the ground. I don’t think I’ve ever been that angry in my life.”
“You had every right to be. Sam will get someone here.”
“We’re staying until they do.”
“Absolutely.”
She pulled out her phone and called Peterson. The conversation was short. When she dropped the phone back into her purse she wasn’t happyabout what she’d heard.
“What did he say?”
“That I shouldn’t have confronted her. And that if she runs he can’t follow her without authorization from my aunt. He was hired to find her.” She let out a sharp breath. “He found her. That’s apparently where his job ends.”
“He’s not wrong, technically. But Sam will have someone here soon. They need to move before Avery and Judd figure out what’s coming.”
“You think they’re already packing, don’t you.”
Cole nodded. “I’d bet on it.”
She sighed and looked toward the motel. “You don’t mind waiting?”
“Not at all.”
“Cole.” She sat up. “Look.”
Avery and Judd had come out of their room, suitcases in hand. Judd hit the fob and the back hatch of the Tahoe swung open.
Aftyn reached for the door handle. Cole put his hand over hers.
“Wait. If a deputy doesn’t get here before they pull out, we get the plate numbers and follow them. That’s all.”
She exhaled and sat back, watching them load the vehicle.
