We hike silently until we make it to our spot and grab a seat on the large, flat rock on the edge of the pool of water.
“I’m nervous. This is all one big mistake.” She breaks the silence first.
“You’re a badass, and I think this is the best way to finish this once and for all.”
“Quite the change of opinion there.” Her head tilts to look at me with a smile on her face.
“I may not like this plan at all, but it has nothing to do with you not having a good idea or being capable of handling yourself. It’s that he’s unpredictable and none of us know what’s coming. But I have complete faith that you will get this done like the boss you are and nail this asshole to the ground.”
“That might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Not true, and you know it. I happen to remember, not too long ago, when I was very romantic and told you exactly how I feel about you. That was the nicest thing I’ve said to you.” I smirk.
“And so damn humble,” she snarks.
Laughing, I grab her around the waist and bring her to my lap.
“I mean it, Emmerdeur. You are capable, and I know you’ll do just fine. Oakley and I, along with the Rosedale Police, will be there as back-up, so you won’t be alone. Just … be safe and don’t make any drastic decisions, okay? I don’t think my heart can handle that.”
“You know, I’ve been so hesitant with us. We’re obviously great together, but the hurt and trust are hard to get over for me. This Arlo, though? The one that’s grown and put in work to be the man you want to be? Makes it extremely hard to remember the Arlo from all those years ago and all the hurt he caused. It also makes it hard to be mad about still being married.”
My breath catches in my throat. We haven’t mentioned being married still since she found out, and now was not the time I thought we’d discuss it.
“The last six months have changed a lot for me. Everything with Tennison made me re-evaluate my priorities. And somehow, everythingwith Tyler has made me realize the man of my dreams has been in front of me all along. You’ve been patient, attentive, and yet stayed your perfectly grumpy self while I figured things out. I don’t want to go into tonight with any regrets or wishes.”
“Rina…”
“Let me, please.” She adjusts so we’re facing each other, and I see the depth of her emotions in her eyes. “I love you. Not the idea of you or what we had when we were young. I love the you that you are now, the you that loves me despite all my flaws. I love how you care about this nosy-ass town and act like you hate it, but you do it every single day with zero complaints. I love that you are taking steps to heal. I love that you loved me so much you tattooed my heart on your skin. I love you, and I want you to burn those fucking divorce papers,” she says through watery laugher.
“As soon as this shit is over, they’re gone,” I whisper.
“Good.” She kisses me. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” We press our foreheads together and breathe each other in.
I took her out here to completely step away from what was happening in town. Instead, a confession I never thought I’d hear from her lips again has me feeling confident about our future. Patting my pocket as we get up, I feel the box I’ve been carrying with me for a couple of days now with nothing but hope in my heart.
Sitting in the car with two other officers, not knowing what is going on in the damn restaurant, may give me a heart attack.
The good news is that Oakley’s old partner found some interesting information about Tyler. He hasn’t held a job in over three years and is currently living in a house he inherited from his mother. We’re not sure where he’s getting money from, but his social media boasts a high-paying illustration job and the lifestyle to match. He’s full of contradictions, and it gives me even more surety that this is the right move.
Collectively, we’ve decided to let Rina lead things and see where it goes before executing the search warrant on his house. This gives us the best chance of getting a confession to ensure charges stick and have the highest penalty. There’s a couple of plain-clothed officers inside, close enough to hear what’s going on at their table, and they’ve been relaying information to us periodically. It’s set up the best we can, and all things considered, we have a lot of bases covered. However, there is still a lot that’s unknown, and that’s what I don’t love. Not with Rina in the middle of it.
“Brad just texted. Sounds like Rina is hinting at taking things back to his place,” Lieutenant Kempe says as he looks down at this phone.
My fists clench hard, and I try to remember the objective. She doesn’t want to go to his house. It’s just a way to get us more information. If I keep that on repeat in my head, maybe I won’t go bust down the fucking door.
“Why don’t we just go search his place while they’re at dinner?” the officer in the backseat asks. I didn’t even pay enough attention to catch his name.
“Because she can get under his skin and figure out his endgame. She can get us more information needed in order to lock him away for therest of his life. And there are other women involved, so getting as much information can help link more things to him as well.” An exaggeration, sure, but the reasoning still works.
“We’re aiming for evidence,” Lieutenant Kempe adds.
“Riiight,” the douchebag in the back says. I don’t care if he agrees; his boss is telling him to do it. He doesn’t need to ask questions.
“Heads up. Looks like they’re walking out.”
My head jolts up as I watch Tyler leading, more like dragging, Rina around to the parking lot. It takes everything in me not to climb out of the car and go after her.
