Several minutes passed as Eric pelted them with more questions. Finally, he put his notebook away and sighed.
“We’ll process it, but you know the drill. Without cameras or an eye witness, there’s probably not a whole lot that can be done.”
“So, whoever did this just gets away with it?” Charlie stepped closer to them.
Sympathy crossed his brother’s eyes. “Unfortunately, that’s typically what happens in cases like this.”
Sensing her boiling anger, Derek pulled her to his side and kissed the top of her head. “It’s alright, darlin’. It’s just a car. Luckily, I have good insurance.”
Trevor’s eyes narrowed slightly as he walked back up to them, having returned from inside. “You’re being awfully calm about all this.”
Derek’s brows turned inward. “So?”
“I seem to recall you threatening me within an inch of my life if I so much as scratched that car. Now, some asshole destroys her, and you’re all ‘It’s just a car’?”
With his arm still around Charlie, Derek leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Without actually looking at Trevor, he told his teammate, “This Charlie’s the only one I need.”
Eric made a gagging sound. “Okay, you two. I’m happy for you and all, but I can only handle so much.
Derek gave his brother a smirk. “Ah, come on, man. You know you’re just jealous.”
“Nope,” Eric denied his brother’s claim. “I like my life just the way it is, thank you very much.”
“I thought that, too.” He looked down at Charlie. “Then I realized what a dumbass I’d been.”
“Newsflash, brother.” Eric looked at him straight-faced. “You’re still a dumbass.”
After a few more seconds of razzing each other, Eric hugged Charlie again and then said his goodbyes.
With a nod, Derek held Charlie’s hand as they walked to Trevor’s truck.
“Appreciate the ride,” he told his friend as he climbed into the back so Charlie could have the front.
“No problem,” Trevor responded as both he and Charlie climbed in at the same time. “I talked to Lex. She and I are going down to the security supply company first thing in the morning to raise hell.” As if he was just now seeing her, Trevor gave Charlie a nod. “Hey, Charlie. Circumstances aside, it’s good to see you again.”
“It’s nice to see you, too, Trevor.” She gave his friend a half-smile. “Thanks for coming.”
“Well, someone had to rescue you two.” He winked, then glanced at Derek through the rearview. “Sorry about the car.”
Derek glanced out his window at what was left of his car and sighed. “Yeah. No one was hurt, though. That’s all that matters.”
“I think it was Caleb,” Charlie stated confidently as she stared out the windshield. “It has to be him, right?” She looked at him from over her shoulder.
He hated the fear that had come back into her eyes.
“I agree that it’s a coincidence after everything that happened, but I’ve been keepin’ tabs on Porter. I’d know if he’d left New York.”
She looked back to the road in front of them, countering with, “He could’ve hired someone.”
A sharp pain jabbed his heart when he thought once again about what that asshole had done to her.
“True.” Derek forced his voice to remain calm. “That’s why I’ve been monitoring his financial activity, as well.”
“You have?” She couldn’t hide her surprise.
He nodded. “I told you. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
Her eyes stayed on his and then, “He could find a way around it. Use a contact here to destroy your car while his alibi remains tight in New York.”
