purses his lips and I sense his frustration. I also sense something else. He’s not happy with the investigative report either.
“Pete Sims?” I give a shake of my head. “He’s a bureaucratic waste of space, more concerned with closing cases than solving them.”
Grant’s brother, Grady, never says anything good about Pete and I have a mind to take this all the way up the chain if need be.
“Doesn’t matter. The evidence—”
“Is rigged.” I’m acutely aware she’s still sitting in the back of Grant’s police cruiser. “When can I see her?”
What’s going through her head? How is she holding up? Does she know I have her back and will do whatever it takes to see her through this?
“Later, Ace. Come back in the morning.”
My stomach seizes thinking about Evelyn spending the night in jail. Our town is small. The holding cells are generally empty, but still. It’s jail.
“How long will it take to post bail?”
“I don’t know.” He scratches his head. “Considering it’s Friday, probably not until Monday.”
“You’re not helping me out here.” My frustration builds.
“I’m not trying to be difficult. Look, I have to book her, but I’ll call the judge and see if he can expedite the posting of her bond. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything. Until then, be patient.”
“Would you be patient if this was Emerson?” Emerson is his wife, and it may be a low blow to bring her into this conversation. He’s insanely protective of her.
“Fair enough. Look, I’ll let you know as soon as I can, but it probably won’t be until morning. Sorry, but that’s the best I can do.”
I run a hand through my hair, feeling helpless. “Thanks, Grant.”
He gives a slight nod. “I promise. I’ll let you know.”
Without another word, he leaves me to collect Evelyn. My entire body itches with the need to go to her, hold her, and tell her everything is going to be all right, but I stand there helpless as Grant takes her inside.
She glances over her shoulder and gives me a strained smile. She’s trying to be brave, but there’s fear in her eyes.
If I can’t get her out tonight, there’s one thing I can do. My hand slips into my pocket where I hold her phone. She asked me to call Prescott.
I lift the phone and tap the security code to open it up. She seems to think he can help and right now, I can use all the help I can get.
The phone picks up on the first ring. “Evie? Hunny, what’s up?”
The voice on the other end is older, mature, and I’m envisioning what my father might have sounded like if he were still alive. It’s been years since his passing. My grief has lost its raw edge, but I never know when that sharp ache is going to hit. This man’s voice is like a punch in the gut and it takes a moment before I recover.
“Evie?”
“This is Asher La Rouge. Is this Prescott?”
“Asher?” He plays it off like he’s confused, but we’ve spoken before and this man blew me off, choosing to send Evelyn’s things via courier to the hospital rather than entrust them to me. “I’m sorry, who are you?”
I grit my teeth and remind myself to be the better man. “Evelyn asked me to call you. There have been some—developments.”
“Developments?” He makes a disparaging sound. “I’d like to speak with Evie, please.”
“That won’t be possible.”
“Excuse me?” My reply finally gets his attention. I can tell by the tick in his voice. “What have you done to Evie?”
What have I done?
The man says it like an accusation, as if I hurt her rather than saved her life. He damn well knows exactly who I am. As for what I’ve done to Evelyn? It’s not nearly enough.
I’m not stupid enough to say that out loud. I still don’t know who this man is to her, or why I’m supposed to call him.
“Sir, Evelyn asked me to call you, but before I do, who exactly are you to her?” I don’t mind lobbing a volley of my own. If this man is going to challenge me and my place with Evelyn, I’m going to do exactly the same.
Evelyn is mine.
It’s a truth I accept whole-heartedly and the fact it makes no sense at all, considering how we’re still virtual strangers to each other, is exactly why it feels so damn right.
I’ll defend her, because I believe she’s not at fault for that fire. I feel it in