Chapter 41

Shit!

“But why? He was forced to do it,” I argued.

“He didn’t say why, just that he had no choice. However, I think I can reduce his sentence for testimony against Remmy and Griffin, and for what he overheard in the bar that night between them and Carl.”

Damn it.

“Did you find the stolen goods?” I asked, wanting to lay that part to rest.

“Remmy told us the stuff was buried in a box behind the barn, two feet deep in the ground. One of the guys found a shovel and dug it up. Everything was there.”

“Christ.” I looked around me. All four men were in separate cop cars. I was only interested in two of them, though. I walked over to where Carl sat in the back of a vehicle. The window was halfway down.

“You fucking bastard!” he shouted, trying to free his hands from the cuffs, which was impossible, unless he had some skill as an escape artist.

“Really, I’mthe bastard? You tried to put your own uncle out of business! You’re a criminal, Carl, and all the jade in the world won’t change that.”

“You know nothing about me, idiot! I played you for a fool, pretending you were the best cocksucker I’d ever known. I’ve had better than you, plenty,” he bragged. His stammer had disappeared.

I shook my head. “Maybe, but that still doesn’t put me in the car with you. You’re going to prison. I’m sure you’ll find someone there to make you his bitch. Maybe you’ll get the fucking you want then.”

I moved back quickly, narrowly avoiding the gob of saliva he spat in my direction. “Real classy, Carl. You know, I thought it strange when you smirked a little that day after I asked you to make that fake file. You never thought I’d catch on, did you?”

“You got lucky,” he said, disdain all over his face.

“I had lots of help.” Speaking of which…I moved away to find where Tyler was being held.

I found him, head hanging down. I leaned my elbows on the car door, since the window was down

“Why, Tyler? Why’d you tell ‘em? I was planning to leave you out of this.”

“I wanted to come clean. I know Remmy and Griffin had stuff on me, but I figured if I admitted to being the one who did the theft, then at least that wouldn’t be an issue anymore.” Smart, but now I’d be without him for a while.

“Jesus, love.” I stretched a hand out to brush back his hair. “I need to tell you something.”

“You mean, how you used me as bait?” He shook his head. “I’m not stupid, Felix. I knew there was more going on than you were telling me. At least I prepared myself this time so I didn’t shift because I was taken by surprise.”

“I’m so sorry, hon,” I offered, feeling ashamed.

“I’d be mad at you, but I knew why you did it, so it’s okay. If you ever do something like that to me again, however, I’ll rip you apart, limb from limb. Get me?” The stare he leveled on me said he meant every word.

“Yes, dear.” I leaned in and kissed him briefly. “Hal thinks he can reduce your time. You have a place to stay when you get out, okay? I love you, and I don’t care that it’s too soon.”

“Incorrigible,” he said. “You wait to tell me this when I’m going to prison?”

“Every relationship has its quirks.” I grinned at him, then sobered up. “Uncle Ben is going fast, Tyler. I think he might die before the weekend’s up.” I closed my eyes and just breathed.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I know how much you love him. I wish I could be there with you. Give him my love, okay?” He looked at me, the love he wouldn’t admit to written all over his face.

“Will you give me your love, too?” I asked, staring at him and hoping he’d give me the words he held inside, away from me.

“Maybe one day. I have to straighten out my life first.”

“You’re my mate, Tyler. My partner, my better half. The only one for me. It’s meant to be, you know?”

“Tell me that again when I come see you up in the mountains.” He cocked his head. “You’re gonna stay there now, aren’t you?”

He knew my heart well. “Yeah. Uncle Ben’s rapid decline changes things. I think I’m done with the insurance stuff. At least, the high profile cases. I need a break, time to regroup and decide what I want to do with the rest of my life, especially when you come back to me.”

“Looking forward to it.” His scent changed, and Tyler’s eyes shifted. My own responded, and I felt the charge of love between us.