Page 25 of Burning for the Truth

“I didn’t see you when I came in. I didn’t see your vehicle, personal or department issued outside either. You didn’t happen to see me. You followed me,” I accuse him. He stands there without changing his expression, neither denying nor confirming what I said. Of course, he’s keeping tabs on me. Sterling is seriously overreaching. I know he means well, but damn. We need some boundaries set. “I don’t need a babysitter, Hart. Tell my brother that when you give your account. If there’s nothing else, I need to type up this report.”

His only move is to lean over my desk slightly with his palms planted on the surface. “We’re all watching out for you, Bree. You may be his sister, but we all care. You’re one of us. We all watch out for each other. This is a family. I think you’re forgetting that. I know you feel alone and like none of us could possibly understand, but you’re wrong. We all have our scars, and we all need someone to have our backs from time to time. This is one of those times. Let us help…you don’t need to carry this by yourself.” Then he stands and retreats to the desk he and Sterling share.

Once it’s clear he’s not moving butisgiving me space, I start my report trying to recall every detail. There was something…familiar, but I still can’t place what. After about an hour, my report is finished. I send it to Chief Trudeau, Chief Holden, Sterling, and Hart after uploading it in our database per protocol.

I quickly check my text from earlier, also noticing it’s lunchtime.

Dr. Leah Barnette:Briella, you know word gets around in a small town. Which means you know why I’m reaching out. If you need me…day or night, just call. Otherwise, I’ll see you at our next session.

Me:Thanks, Doc.

I’m sure we’ll explore a lot of topics in my next session, including Dean. But for now, I’m keeping it to myself.I’m fine.What does fine really mean anyway? Whatever the meaning…it’s what I am.

I push away from my desk and gather my things before I catch Hart’s eye. “You following me again, or passing the baton to my next tail?” I don’t give him time to answer, I simply head toward the exit. As I’m about to reach for the door, Serena Lawson opens it. When she sees me, she smiles. Since the day Drew died, I haven’t spoken to her much. Drew would be so pissed at me. It’s not her fault and I know that…truly. And I love her. She has the biggest heart of anyone here. But I guess it helps to have somewhere to cast a little bit of blame. If she’d only had her cell phone, he’d still be alive. The thought alone is toxic.

At some point, I’ll have to apologize for my less than stellar attitude toward her, but I’m not ready for that yet, so I flash the best smile I can muster given how I’m feeling and walk outside before she can stop me.

Beside my car stands Dean. Broad shoulders and sculpted muscles are accentuated by his shirt. His stormy gray eyes match the sky today. His hands are in his jeans pockets as he watches me approach my car.

“So, my next tail is you again.” He furrows his brows at my statement. I shake my head. “Never mind. Look, I need to go back to Valley B. After this morning, it might be best if you didn’t tag along.” I’m not about to let my big brother run my love life, not that love has anything to do with Dean and I, but still…Dean coming to the ranch with me is poking the bear.

He gazes down at me as I move closer. He’s blocking my door. “Can I get in my car now?” I ask with a hint of attitude.

He still doesn’t move away from my door. He takes his hand from his pocket and uses his index finger and thumb to tip my chin up, lightly brushing my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “Sweetheart, I told you earlier, where you go, I go unless we’re at work.”

The hair stands on the back of my neck as if someone is watching me…maliciously. Call it my sixth sense, but I know it, the same as Dean is clearly standing in front of me. I discreetly scan the area and catch sight of someone walking on the other side of the street, but they quickly blend in with other people walking in and out of various stores. Then my gaze lands on an angry stare. Ajealousstare. Chelsea from last night is walking this way.

“I think your girlfriend is mad,” I tell him. I feel my own jealousy rise up, which is surprising. Before last night, I hadn’t felt much of anything other than pain and numbness in months. Dean sure knows how to shake loose my emotions. He seems confused as his brows furrow, and he turns in search of what I’m staring at.

“Damn it all to hell,”he mumbles under his breath, dropping his hand from my chin.

“What was that?” I ask sharply. His gaze fixes on me right as she walks up to where we stand.

“Hey, Dean. I was coming out of the salon across the street and happened to see you. I was going to call you later anyway,” she says, totally ignoring my presence.

“Oh?” is all he manages with a lifted brow.

She smiles, flashing perfect white teeth against her ruby-red-painted lips. Damn, if she doesn’t look like she’s high maintenance. Every hair is in place and her makeup is on point, even on a gloomy, windy day like this. I inwardly laugh at how perfect she is compared to the mess that is me. Case in point, I have not one speck of makeup on today.

She continues talking, refusing to acknowledge me. “Yeah, I was wondering if you’d mind coming over later and checking my smoke detectors. I had one going off the other night and I had to take it down and remove the batteries. Darn thing was driving me crazy. But I thought you might be able to fix it.”

He smiles at her but it’s tight…forced.

“I would love to fix you dinner as a thank-you. Anything you like.” She’s trying way too hard and it’s making me nauseous. I’d love nothing more than to roll my eyes, but I control the urge.

“Yeah, Dean…I’m sure you’d love a good home-cooked meal.” I smile sweetly at him through clenched teeth. Chelsea still refuses to glance at me as she waits on his answer.

“I don’t think I can tonight, Chelsea. I’m happy to swing by and check the smoke detectors for you, but I can’t stay. I have plans,” he tells a white lie.

“Really, Dean? What plans would that be?” I ask sarcastically.

He shifts his gaze back to me. “Briella, we have that thing.”

“What thing? I think you’re confused.” I smirk and wait for him to explain himself.

He wrinkles his nose a bit like he does when he’s irritated. He’s always done it. It’s one of the many things I used to find attractive about him. He turns back to Chelsea. “I have plans with Briella tonight, but we can stop by and check out your detectors.”

This…this is the moment she chooses to stare at me and expose her claws like a cat ready for a fight. “I’d rather you come another time, then, when you don’t have plans and can stay a while. I’m sure Briella has no interest in tagging along with you to my house.”

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