on the freeway fifty miles from DC? They’re thinking you might’ve been a victim of a car-jacking with evidence of foul play inside.”
“I didn’t know that. I left my car with Robert. He probably left it there and set the scene to throw Darrin off my trail.”
“Robert seems to be involved in quite a bit of this,” Kaden noted with a shrug. I smiled wryly at him. He had a point, but I didn’t know what it all meant. There were things that didn’t add up. I should’ve seen them earlier.
“I have to go. It’s safer for everyone.”
“Don’t worry about our safety. We’ll be fine, and we’ll support whatever you decide, Delaney, but you’re young. Do you really want to run the rest of your life?” Brody said.
“No. I don’t know what to do. I don’t. I’m scared.”
“I’m scared for you.” Kaden spoke softly, but everyone in the room heard him. He met my gaze, and his eyes told me more than I’d ever need to know. He was here for me. He’d always be here for me if only I’d let him.
I stared down at Kaden’s fingers intertwined with mine. How could I give up this man?
Two factions warred inside me, each one lobbying for their solution.
Stand up and fight instead of running like a coward.
But it’s dangerous.
Life is a risk, no matter what. Driving a car, walking down a street. A person never knows.
But the others might be in danger.
Is that really likely? The asshole can’t wipe out an entire hockey team. He wouldn’t dare. He’s free. Why would he draw more attention to himself, especially when the prosecutor is reluctant to retry the case?
“If the entire story comes out, do you really think he’d endanger his freedom to come after you when it’d be obvious he was the one who did it?” Steele’s voice dragged my gaze back to him and away from Kaden’s fingers, but his strong presence continued to comfort and give me hope. Steele spoke out loud what I’d been thinking.
“They’d still need proof he did.” The argument sounded feeble to my own ears.
“From what I read online, the DC prosecutor has no interest in retrying the case because they can’t locate all the witnesses. Rumors are that he’s getting pressure from powerful sources,” Steele said.
I squinted at Steele and shook my head. “Who are you? Are you a mind reader?”
The guys chuckled. They’d obviously been subjected to Steele’s intuition or whatever it was.
“You have us. We’re here. Together we can overcome anything.” Kaden’s lopsided smile warmed my heart. I loved that smile. I didn’t know one woman capable of resisting. With every argument, they wore me down. Every look into Kaden’s eyes chipped away at my resolve.
Steele patted my arm and pulled out his phone. “I’ll call my mom and get some advice.”
“I’d appreciate that.” None of us knew who his mother was or what she did, but her very existence gave me a false sense of security, and I’d take it.
Steele slipped from the room, and Axel turned to us, puzzled. “What the hell is it his mother does anyway?”
“None of us know.” Easton put an arm around Caro and gave her a quick kiss, ignoring the jeers and teasing from the guys crowded in the room. The razzing eroded some of the tension from earlier, and I breathed easier.
“I don’t think Steele knows what she does.” Axel shook his head in amazement. “And where is his father?”
The group collectively shrugged, and I was happy to have the attention off me briefly and on something as innocuous as Steele’s parents. We made small talk as we waited for Steele to return. Another relief for me. While I appreciated everyone’s support and concern, I also needed time alone to think without outside influences, but I doubted they’d be giving me that time. The women were hovering and the guys were in macho protective mode, especially Kaden. My dear Kaden.
Steele came back in. I scrutinized him, attempting to read his face, but Steele had the best poker face of all Kaden’s friends, and I couldn’t tell shit.
“So?” Kaden demanded, even though Steele wasn’t one to be hurried or bullied. He did his own thing in his own time. I’d figured that out about him pretty quickly.
“My mother suggests you meet with your parents as soon as possible and explain the situation to them. She’ll be intermediary if you’d like and make the arrangements.”
“She will?” Okay, now that was weird. What was it this woman