‘Come here, Gianna,’ I whisper as I pull her out of the car. I don’t think she even realises she’s trembling.
‘Ryker,’ she murmurs.
Dellenty groans before struggling to his feet, still clutching at his side with blood-stained fingers. His partner remains unconscious.
Dellenty gingerly makes his way over to me. I gulp down the lump in my throat. Everyone here is a witness to her murdering Erik Lasso.
‘I’ll take responsibility,’ I nod.
‘Ryker—’ Gianna starts, but I shake my head at her.
‘I’ll take it,’ I say again.
Dellenty stares long and hard, before he sighs.
‘You saved my life, didn’t you?’ he muses. ‘Quite a predicament you’ve put me in. A damn dilemma. So, what is it I should do?’
I stay silent, not sure where this is going.
He looks past me, locking eyes with Gianna. ‘You don’t want to go through a murder trial, do you, Gianna?’
A sound of anguish tumbles past Gianna’s lips as her knees buckle. I steel my spine, gripping Dellenty’s wrist.
‘It was self-defence,’ I say. ‘And I said I’ll take the fall.’
Dellenty shakes his head; it’s slight, but I see it. He twists free from my grip and turns back to Gianna. Her eyes are red-rimmed and puffy. ‘Your brother was a good kid. And I get it … I do. Putting you through a long trial won’t do anyone any good.’ He sighs, rubbing his temples before shrugging and turning to me. ‘Detective Rourke’s been following you kids for a while. She nearly caught Erik in a foot chase near the vet, but he got away. She thought you lot might have actually been working with him … but when you lost your money in a drift race, it’s clear you were a target.
‘It was Hayley in the Silvia at Erik’s race,’ Gianna whispers.
Dellenty nods. ‘With her evidence about Erik and his dealings at Midnight Spares and Erik’s confession, I can close this case. An arrest gone wrong. Now, get out of here, Edwards. I’ll clean this up.’
I hear the words, but I can’t get my body to work. And I’m wondering if Erik pulled the trigger against my temple after all.
‘Go. Now,’ Dellenty repeats. ‘Before I change my mind.’
I nod, turning with Gianna in my arms, holding her close. I wrap my hands around her trembling ones.
She’s safe.
And I’ll set the whole world ablaze to make sure it stays that way.
‘Edwards!’ Dellenty calls and I pause. ‘I’ll make sure the officers who took the bribes get what they deserve.’
I shelter Gianna in my arms until we reach my truck and I whip open the passenger door. I lift her inside and click the seatbelt in place before pressing my lips to her forehead.
‘No one will ever hurt you again,’ I whisper against her skin.
I bury my face in her hair. Feeling the claws retract from my skin.
It’s over.
Chapter 33
Gianna
PRESENT
Police Search and Rescue have been looking for Erik for a week now. There’s still no body. Deputy Dellenty stayed true to his word and kept our names clear.
