Relief flickers in his eyes but behind them there’s tension.
I slide my hand into Erin’s without a word.
“Your mother’s been watching you since she got to Huxley Bay,” Brax says. “She tracked and gathered information on you, Chase, and Rudy. Used what she learned and the advantage of the away game to isolate you.”
A chill settles beneath the lining of my stomach. She wasn’t just watching Erin. She was watching all of us.
“I guess that makes sense,” Erin says.
“I have some contacts here in the police department,” Brax continues. “I asked them to hold off questioning you until I arrived.”
“Thank you,” she says. “The thought of being interrogated alone makes my stomach churn.”
“The shooter’s prints aren’t in any of our systems. No history, no priors, but we were able to track down his bank account. From the looks of it, he was likely hired by your mother to be her muscle to get you out of the picture,” Brax explains.
“Okay,” she says softly.
“California will handle the shooting separately, but anything involving your mother—her history, her motives—that’s my jurisdiction. I made California aware your mother is tied to a larger, active investigation I’m working on in Michigan. Details I can’t share with them. You won’t have to say anything about her to anyone else but me. And they won’t ask.”
“You’ll stay with me?” She looks at Brax and then to me. “Both of you.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” I assure her, squeezing her hand and not letting her miss the promise in my touch.
“Get some rest. I’ll stop by tomorrow with a few officers. I just wanted to give you a heads-up first of what they know already. We’ll talk more when you’re back in Huxley Bay,” Brax says, giving Erin’s hand a sweet pat before he leaves.
“I’m glad they won’t ask questions about my mother,” she murmurs, blowing out a breath. “I was worried I’d have to tell them everything.”
“I’ll order us tacos, and then I’ll call Bella. Let her know you’re awake and want to talk,” I say, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Her tired eyes glimmer with affection. “I imagine you’ve been here since I was admitted. Why don’t you go back to the hotel? You can shower and get some sleep while Bella and I talk.”
“I’ll give you space to talk to your sister,” I say. “But your boyfriend is a professional hockey player. I got you a private room with your own shower. I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’m gonna sleep right here.”
She glances at the cot like it personally offended her and then shakes her head. “You can’t sleep on that. You’re not gonna fit.”
I chuckle. “Baby, the cot is just a formality. Now that you’re awake, you’re not sleeping anywhere but in my arms.”
Her brows knit together. “You’re going to the hotel tonight, and you’ll sleep in a proper bed.”
I smirk. “It’s cute that you think you’re in charge.”
“Chase Riley Harper, you’re being ridiculous.”
“I love it when you say my full name like that. It turns me on.”
“Oh, my God, Chase. Stop.”
“Especially with a growl. It’s so sexy.”
“Chase!”
“Yeah, baby?”
Her skin tinges with a deep rouge, climbing all the way to her ears, the flush staining her skin momentarily.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“You have no idea.”
