“He’s stalking Brooke?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't she tell her dad? Or file it?”
I toss my hands up and then drop them with a slap to my legs. “She didn’t think it was that bad. But then that fuck showed up here and wouldn’t leave her alone after I told him, so I punched him. Now I'm in jail, and he’s …”
Nester watches me for a beat more, hand on his hips.
“I’ll be right back.”
He disappears to the front of the station, leaving me in complete silence.
Fuck my reputation. I need to protect Brooke, and I can’t do that in here.
He’s back faster than I expected, and he looks pissed.
“He’s out front, filing charges against you.”
I nod quickly.
As long as he’s not out there with Brooke.
“I … I’d let you out so you can go find her, but it’s not up to me.”
“Richford.” Sheriff Sloan comes in, every step with purpose as he makes his way toward me. “Can’t say I never expected to see you here again.”
I hold his glare but don’t say a word.
“Nothing to say, huh? Now, that’s new.”
I want to yell at him and ask him how he couldn’t hear the panic in his daughter's voice or see the fear in her eyes. No, his focus was on me and proving a point.
That I haven’t changed.
Well, joke’s on you, Sloan. I’ve changed more than you’ll ever know.
“Sir,” Kimmy says, pushing the door to the back room open enough to talk to the sheriff. All eyes turn to her. “He’s made bail.”
“Already?”
“Yep,” she confirms and then closes the door.
“You’re one lucky man, Richford. I didn’t even call your dad this time.”
Thank fuck, because he’s the last person I need to be around right now.
As soon as I walk out those doors, I’m going straight to Brooke. Wherever she might be.
I’ll text Grace first. She’ll know.
I’ll have to answer a lot of questions later, but it’s better than wasting time looking around town for her.
Sheriff Sloan gives Nester the go-ahead and disappears into his office as the deputy starts to unlock my cell.
Nester lets me out and then hands all my personal belongingsback to me. The moment the door buzzes, I dart out with one goal.
Brooke.
