For now. But things were escalating, and whoever had done this wouldn’t give up. Gray wasn’t safe here. “What are we going to do?”
“I’ll start by going to the police station first thing in the morning just as I’d planned. I’ll have a word with the chief. If I don’t, I’m afraid tonight will be the beginning and the end of the investigation.”
The idea buoyed her spirit. “What time? I’ll meet you there.”
“No.Not after someone shot at my house. You’re already too involved in this. I can handle it myself.”
“But Chief Jameson knows my family. My presence might make a difference.”
“I’ll be casting aspersions on one of his officers—serious ones. I’m more likely to make an enemy of him, and I don’t want you getting caught in the cross fire.”
Maybe he was right, but she still wanted to go. However, he had that stubborn look on his face that told her she wouldn’t get her way on this one. She felt so helpless. Tears threatened. “I don’t like this at all.”
His expression softened as he took her in. “It’s late, honey. We’re both exhausted and need some sleep. Things’ll seem better in the morning.”
But would they? Nothing would change overnight. The Remingtons would still want Gray gone. The town would still be boycotting her store. How could a relationship between Gray and her ever work? And how would she give him up when she loved him so much? The thoughts stole her breath away.
As if sensing her despair, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I love you, Shel.”
Her heart squeezed tight. Her throat constricted. “I love you too.” But would that be enough?
“Lock up behind me.”
“I will. Be careful.”
She tightened her arms around him, buried her face in the cradle of his neck. She never wanted to let him go. But in her heart of hearts, she feared she might have to do just that.
Chapter 42
Gray held back a yawn as he drove toward the police station with Shadow the next morning. Since he’d gotten up so early he went home and measured the broken windows. Put an order in with Gavin without divulging why they needed to be replaced ASAP. Gray also had an interesting chat with his neighbor Mrs. Lyons.
The whole event last night tormented him. He’d hardly slept. Kept reliving the shooting over and over. So many things could’ve gone wrong. What if Shelby had been in the living room when the bullets came flying through the windows? What if he hadn’t covered Oliver in time?
Guilt weighed on him like a lead cape. His presence had put Shelby and her family in the direct line of fire last night—literally. One of them could’ve died. And for what? So he could cling stubbornly to his right to be here? So he could be with the woman he loved?
What kind of love risked the lives of his woman and her family? Risked the beloved business she’d inherited from her grandmother? She’d be better off without him.
A hollow spot opened inside him at the thought of leaving her. He didn’t want to. He just didn’t see any other option. If he went away, all her problems would end: The boycott would stop and she would be safe. Those were the things that mattered.
As the police station came into view, he braked. This visit to the chief was a Hail Mary at best. It would probably only paint a bigger target on his back, but he had to try.
He pulled into the station at the stroke of eight o’clock. He could only hope that since Officer Remington had worked late last night he wouldn’t be at the station this early. Once in a parking space Gray shut off the engine and exited the vehicle. “Be right back, boy.”
He shut the door and locked the SUV. As he rounded the front, two shadows closed in on him. He blinked in surprise at the sight of Caleb and Stanley. His steps faltered.
“Shelby told us you’d be here this morning,” Caleb said.
“We won’t let you do this alone.” Stanley’s chin hitched in the same way Shelby’s did when she dug in. “I’ve known Terrence Jameson for years. He’ll at least hear us out.”
Their presence lifted the weight from Gray’s shoulders. Warmed a place inside him that had been cold a long time. “Thank you.”
As they made their way toward the building, hope surged inside Gray, but he gave it a solid downward push. Inside the precinct phones pealed and staff shuffled papers. The office was already a hive of activity. He glanced around the station, searching for Remington. No sign of him.
Gray approached the front desk and asked the fortysomething brunette if he could speak with Chief Jameson.
“Do you have an appointment?” she said with a benign expression.
“No, but this concerns a crime that happened on my property last night.”
