Page 110 of The Love Penalty

“Good,” I croak. “I’m proud of you.”

She glances up, her eyes round with surprise, and I have to force myself to say it. “I am. I know that must have been really hard.”

Her eyes glisten as she nods, and then Mikayla growls and starts snapping. “It was made worse by a cop who basically told her she can’t go accusing guys of such a serious crime if she doesn’t have the evidence to back it up.”

“He said he’d pass my report on to a detective but warned us that it might not go anywhere,” Lani murmurs, so obviously defeated by that feedback.

Mick scoffs. “He basically reminded her that she was drunk and her memory was probably fuzzy. Then he went on to say that it was too long ago for any witnesses to remember, so we really shouldn’t get our hopes up!” She flicks her arm in the air. “He all but told us that this isn’t even worth pursuing!”

As Mikayla’s volume escalates, Lani seems to shrink further in on herself.

I don’t like that look on her. It’s not Lani. She’s strong, not crushed.

Stepping around Mikayla, who’s still snarling and ranting, I pull Lani against my chest and whisper, “What do you need?”

“Quiet,” she rasps against my chest.

So, without a word, I pull her down the hallway and shut us inside my man cave—a safe little haven for as long as she needs it.

CHAPTER 49

LEILANI

As soon as the door clicks shut, I feel the tension start to drain out of me. It’s not a fast drain, more like a slow leak, but it eases the pressure a little.

“So, the police, huh?” Asher glides his hands into his pockets, his expression kind of torn.

“I thought it’d be the right thing to do.”

“It is.” He nods, his forehead crinkling.

“I know. I’ve… started the countdown now, haven’t I? The bomb’s gonna go off soon, and it’s all gonna turn to shit.” My voice breaks, and I cover my face with hands.

“Hey, that’s not on you.”

Asher’s arms come around me again. I lean into him, resting my weight on his solid chest. His hand cups the back of my head, and it feels so good. I’m protected here. Sheltered by this man who could so easily hate me.

I’m throwing his cousin into the firepit.

Where he deserves to burn!

But what if I’m wrong?

Or what if I’m right and he still gets away with it?

What if he walks free while his uncle boots Asher and his friends to the curb?

I shudder, and Asher’s arms tighten around me.

“I know it sucks right now. It’s shit.” His deep voice washes over me. “But it’s not always gonna be shit, and we’ll be together.” He leans back, taking my face in his hands. His eyes drink me in and I capture his gaze, transfixed by his affection. “We’ll be together, and that’s what I want.”

“But they’re your family.” I say it yet again because I can’t seem to get over that fact.

He shakes his head. “You think I want to be related to a rapist or a man who is willing to cover that up? You think I want to be connected to people who can’t see past their own bullshit?”

I swallow, my lips parting at the look on his face.

“Boo, I want real. I want to be around people who are good and honest and will fight for the right things. I want to hang with people I respect. People like my hockey bros.” His lips curl into a smile. “People like you.”

---