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“Because you’re bad for Salvation,” he snarled “Your family likes to think of theold who are involved in criminal hijinks, but to hborhood You’re the first sign of things going downhill Fool that he is, out there, Mateo was trying to protect your reputation—as if that was possible Well, I’rows and prospers If your fa like the veterans’ center, it will only tarnish Salvation”
By the tiht red with bitter frustration It wasn’t just a power grab, an ego trip, or revenge for the Christ with his horse He really believed what he was saying There’d be no convincing hi her every step of the way—and he wasn’t above fighting dirty and taking down anyone who got in his way
“Cancel the fundraiser That’s it?” She pictured Miranda’s rounding belly and her throat tightened Then she i to jail because of her
He nodded “One word froes Then everything goes back to normal” He narrowed his eyes “Do we have a deal?”
She nodded, unable to get words past the lump in her throat
“Good I’ll go speak to the judge” He stood and took a few steps toward the door then stopped and pivoted back to look at her “Don’t think about double-crossing me I’m not the kind of enemy you want to have”
Sunset’s last orange hues were barely visible in the western sky when the dog picked his head up off Olivia’s lap and ju Handso, executed a deep feline stretch and stared out into the darkened driveway Headlights pierced the night as Mateo’s truck ruravel road
Her hands shook as she brushed the on the porch after she’d called Luciana to let her know Mateo had been taken into custody had been the longest hours of her life Against her better judge on his end of the bargain, and he had Relief swept through her as she released the breath she’d been holding since he’d started up the drive
Mateo got out of the Salvation Police Depart at the back bu the rest of the world disappear This here she belonged—with the man she loved
Energy buzzed through her, lightening her steps as she hurried to the railing, ready to call out to hiht line of his back and the grim twist to his lips stopped her Dread spread like icy crystals throughout her body
Not heeding or noticing the undercurrent, the dog went nuts, yapping and hopping along beside Mateo as he made his way stiffly to the front porch
He glanced up at her cheek and winced “Are you okay?” He reached out but stopped before his fingers grazed her bruised cheek “I never meant to hurt you”
“You didn’t” She pressed her hand to the bruise; the swelling was already going down “When you swung your arainst the diner’s brick wall” But a scraped cheek wasn’t what es?”
He jah his hair, as if he could shove everything that had happened out of his head “The whole thing was captured on The Kitchen Sink’s security ca and then hear hi The sheriff’s office took the case to avoid conflict of interest with es”
Relief“So what happens now?”