Page 47 of Property of Whiskey

“Then use your damn eyes.”

“I am.”

Those blue-gray eyes drop to the blood on my hand, then to the torn shirt wrapped around Kaylee and the cut folded over my arm.

Her expression hardens.

Shit.

I know exactly what this looks like.

“Kaylee Quill?” Twila calls.

Kaylee doesn’t answer.

“Kaylee, I’m Deputy Dix. I need you to tell me if you’re hurt.”

Kaylee shrinks against my Harley. “Don’t.”

Twila’s eyes snap to me.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit.”

“Not the time for this.”

“It became the fucking time when I found a missing girl bleeding on your motorcycle.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“Move away from her.”

“No.”

“Last warning.”

I look at Kaylee.

“Tell her.”

Kaylee starts shaking harder. Bad move.

Twila sees it. Her grip on the gun firms. “Tell me what?”

“Ask her if I hurt her.”

Twila lowers her voice. “Kaylee? Did he hurt you?”

Kaylee looks at me.

Then Twila.

“I…”

“Take your time.”