Dominic sniffs loudly and glares at Chad. “Dude, did you shit your pants?”
“Fuck you,” Chad spits out as hooves clamor toward the fence, followed by snorts of increasing disapproval.
Several of the other bystanders cluster into groups, talking animatedly as Chad backs down from his potential assault. These guys haven’t seen this much action in their lives. Or at least, not anytime in recent history. Brookhaven isn’t known for its crime sprees, vehicle chases, and vigilante backup.
“Remind me not to come to your rescue again. This guy stinks.” Kaleb’s nose wrinkles with distaste as he slides closer to Dominic. Between the five of us, he has no hope of getting away.
“He did shit himself.” Dominic shakes his head. “Unbelievable.”
“Hands behind your back.” I have no idea if he’s bluffing or telling the truth, and I have no desire to find out. I’m sending Chad back with Ramirez.
As I slip a cuff around Chad’s wrists, I recite his Miranda Rights. He yanks me toward him, knocking me slightly off balance, and prompting Ramirez to grip his other arm.
“Don’t move, pussy. I’d love to take you down,” I growl into his ear while twisting his arm behind his back until he squeals, and I snap the second cuff into place.
“Fuck off.”
I shove him toward Ramirez. “What did you toss?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“Are you sure?” I shove the gun back into my holster as Ramirez grips Chad’s shoulder while tugging his arms into a position that’ll bring instant pain if he tries to flee.
“I want a lawyer.”
“Well, shit, Jake.” Xavier crosses his arms over his chest. “I thought he was too stupid to know to ask for a lawyer even though you just told him that he could ask for one. I bet his dad is so proud of him.”
Chad’s eyes bulge in rage as he lurches toward my friend.
“Don’t tease him. He’s having a bad day,” I say with a chuckle. “He’s likely to have a heart attack out here. I think I heard a cat a few minutes ago. Don’t those things eat the eyes out of people if they’re left lying on the ground?”
“I’ve heard that,” Kaleb pipes up. “There could be a rouge pig around here also. I know they eat the shit out of bodies, leaving them almost unrecognizable.”
Dominic laughs and slaps Kaleb’s shoulder while looking at me. “I thought we weren’t teasing this asshole.”
“Who said we’re teasing?” I jerk my head toward Ramirez’s cruiser. “Take him back to the station. I’ve got to head back to the site of the drop so we can stack another charge on this prick. Too bad we cuffed him so soon. We could’ve got him for assaulting a law enforcement officer if we were lucky. But drug charges on top of fleeing is going to put him away for a good ten years.”
Chad clears his throat with a loud hacking sound and spits. The offending liquid lands on my jaw and slides down to the button that holds my collar in place. “There we go.” I can’t stop the grin from forming on my lips as I step closer. “That’ll get you another ten for assault on a law enforcement officer.”
“Fuck you.” Chad drops his weight forward and headbutts me in the chest.
Fucker. My eyes sting with a blinding white light, but I don’t stop the smile from curving up my lips as I wink and step back. “That’ll be another ten. As I said earlier, I’m still not interested. Ramirez….” I tip my head toward his cruiser. “Take him on back to the station.”
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Emily
I glance at my watch. Jake was supposed to be here by now. Where is he? At least Grace remains dozing in her swing so pacing the living room isn’t interrupted by going to check on her.
Twenty minutes later, I’m dressed and there’s still no sign of Jake. My stomach is a tight ball of knots. I glance at my watch again. Crap. I’m going to have to call Mom and get her up.
I’m moments away from calling the police station and rousing the Chief when a knock at the door startles me. My heart lodges in my throat as I walk on shaking legs toward the door. Jake has a key so his coming and going won’t wake the baby. Is this what it feels like to be the wife of a police officer? Always waiting for that dreaded phone call.
Fuck. I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. Everything’s fine. Quit borrowing trouble. This is Brookhaven.
This time, the knock is louder. “Em?” My brother’s voice is muffled but loud enough to cause Grace to whimper and shake her head from side to side.
I yank open the door to find Xavier standing behind Kaleb. Tears spring into my eyes. “What?”
