Page 25 of Cheshire

Glancing over at Park, I saw the determination etched into his features. Good. He’d need it.

“Fair warning,” I muttered as we approached the door. “The boys might not roll out the welcome mat for you. Hard to know who to trust these days. And since you’re a deputy…”

Park nodded, jaw tight. “I get it. I’ll win them over.”

I snorted. Easier said than done. But hey, maybe he’d surprise me. I’d already given Hatter a heads-up as to what I was doing, so at least the president wouldn’t be surprised.

I shoved open the door and stepped inside. Home, sweet home.

Conversation died as we entered. All eyes locked onto Park, suspicion and hostility radiating from every corner. I felt him tense beside me, but to his credit, he didn’t flinch. Anyone who’d seen him around town in uniform knew he was part of the Warren Sheriff’s Department.

Mock leaned against the bar, arms crossed over his broad chest. “The hell’s this, Cheshire? Since when do we let badges in here?”

I flashed him a grin, all teeth. “Since they started playing for our team. Park’s here to help.”

Tweedle scoffed from his perch on the couch. “Help? We don’t need his kind of help.”

The others muttered their agreement, edging closer. Park stood his ground, chin high. I had to admit, the man had balls.

“Look,” he said, voice steady. “I know you don’t trust me. I get it. But this is my town too. And I’ll be damned if I let it burn while I sit on my ass and watch.”

The brothers exchanged glances, considering. It was a start. It wouldn’t take them long to realize why I’d brought him.

“So,” I drawled, slinging an arm around Park’s shoulders. He stiffened but didn’t shrug me off. “What do you say, boys? Ready to raise a little hell and take back our streets?”

A beat of silence. Then, slowly, nods all around.

“Fine. But I’ve got my eye on you,” Tweedle said, glaring at Park.

Park met his gaze unflinching. “Likewise.”

I clapped my hands, grin stretching wide. Oh, this is gonna be fun. “All right, then. Let’s get to work.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Jo and Eliza slipping away from the kitchen, heading down the hall. Smart girls, steering clear of the pissing contest.

I turned back to Park, jerking my chin toward the door. “Walk with me.”

We stepped outside, the cool night air a welcome relief from the tension inside. I lit a cigarette, took a deep drag.

“You sure about this, Deputy? Once you cross that line, there’s no going back. What you’ve done so far isn’t as bad as what’s coming. You’ve bent the law. That’s completely different from annihilating it.”

Park’s jaw clenched. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I took an oath to protect and serve, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Even if it means I have to throw the rulebook out the window. Blindly following someone like Sheriff Holmes isn’t the right thing to do.”

I nodded, blowing out a stream of smoke. “Bending, breaking… it’s all the same in the end. Just don’t lose yourself in the process.”

“I won’t,” he said firmly. “I know what I’m fighting for. A safe town, a place where people can live without fear. That’s worth any price.”

I studied him for a long moment, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation. There was none. Just steely resolve and a fire in his eyes that matched my own.

“All right, then,” I said, flicking away my cigarette. “Let’s do this. But fair warning, it’s going to get ugly before it gets better.”

Park’s lips quirked in a humorless smile. “I’m counting on it.”

We headed back inside, with Deputy Park ready to face whatever hell awaited us.

Inside the clubhouse, the air was thick with tension. Tweedle and Mock were waiting, arms crossed, suspicion etched into every line of their faces. I didn’t think Park would win them over very quickly, but in time, they’d realize this was the right move. I’d never have brought him here otherwise.

“You two better remember I vouched for him. That should be enough for anyone here. And Hatter gave him permission to be here,” I said.

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