Page 217 of Perfect Pitch

I repeat his words to Austyn who sheds her own tears in my arms.

That’s when the police and EMTs arrive on the scene not only to transport my brother to the hospital to try to repair his spurting artery before exsanguination makes his punishment much less than he should have to endure but also to arrest my uncle for assaulting a police officer. As they relieve Charlie of his weapon, one mutters, “Not that we think the charges will stick. Keene Marshall’s already on the phone with our chief.”

“It’s the principle of the thing. I get it. But you see, I couldn’t let my niece be hurt,” says Charlie.

“Next time, leave it to a professional, sir.”

Charlie snorts. “Son, I am a former Navy SEAL.”

At that, all the cops begin asking Charlie questions about his time in the service. When the EMTs wheel Trevor out, I don’t give him any more attention. I can’t. Having just handed off my gun to a tech which was promptly dropped into an evidence bag, I whirl around and pull Austyn as close as I can. My voice is devastated. “He almost took you from me. Again”

“I knew you’d come for me.”

My head drops into the curve of her neck, and I hear what she claims she’s always loved about me.

The sound of her heart.

* * *

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHT

On behalf of DJ Kensington, I have the following statement.

To all my amazing fans, at this incredibly dark time, your words of love and support are keeping my spirits up. I’m taking a short hiatus to recover from the recent traumatic events that occurred, but I will be back.

Have no doubt.

—Paula Stone, Wildcard Media Representative

“I can’t believe it’s over.” I’m curled up on the corner of my parents’ couch while wrapped in Mitch’s arms. I lean back so he’s cradling me against his broad chest. Across from where I’m sitting, my father’s holding my mother in much the same way. A cell phone rings in the distance, but we all ignore it. Chin is in charge of our cell phones at this point.

It’s hours after the police have been escorted firmly from my father’s penthouse—despite the keen yearning on their faces as they peered in his direction—and the three founders of Hudson Investigations, Caleb, Keene, and Colby, have interrogated me without mercy. Did Trevor appear to have his faculties about him the whole time? Did I notice an escalation in his behavior? Did he ever mention hating his brother?

I lean my head against Mitch’s shoulder before a small smile tugs at my lips.

Catching it, Caleb remarks, “What’s so amusing?”

I consider deflecting before I shrug and blurt out, “You must have terrorized your children’s dates.”

Keene flashes me a quick wink. “Still do, Austyn.”

Colby locks his fingers behind his head. “And he’s so good at it, I let him handle mine.”

Charlie drawls, “Colby isn’t kidding. Keene’s the hard ass of the family.”

My father’s snort causes everyone in the room to grin. “Like that’s hard to imagine.”

Keene’s about to retort when Chin approaches us, clutching a phone. He leans over and whispers in Colby’s ear. The man stands and snatches the phone away from Chin before storming into the hall.

Snuggling comfortably against Mitch, I observe, “That doesn’t look good.”

Before Mitch can reply, Colby’s ducking his head in. “Caleb? A moment?”

Caleb frowns. “This had better not involve bond, Colby.”

The other man shakes his head. “In the hall.”

Caleb excuses himself just as my mother asks, “What’s next, darling?”

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