Page 85 of Levi

“Yes. Unlike you, I don’t let my temper control me. But you don’t hit grown men, do you? You like hitting women and children.” Levi stepped closer to him. “You want to hit me? Go for it. But you’re scared. You’re no man, you’re just a pussy.”

Kinley watched as LeRoy turned away from Levi but quickly spun around and took another swing at him. He missed him completely and stumbled backwards, falling on his ass.

“You’re so drunk you can barely stand up straight.” Levi shook his head in disgust. “How did you even know where she lived?”

LeRoy grinned. “I followed her home one day,” he slurred.

“Get out of here and never come near her again.

“Do you even know who you’re talking to? I’m your father,” LeRoy’s voice boomed, causing Kinley to notice the neighbors standing on theirporches.

“This is just great. I’ll never hear the end of this,” she murmured.

“I know exactly who I’m talking to. A drunken murderer,” Levi retorted, his voice filled with anger. “You may have fathered me, but because I have my mother’s blood coursing through my veins, I’m a much better man than you. She was the only good thing in my life, and you killed her. You fuckingkilledher! This little stunt of yours will land you back in prison, and I hope when you die, you rot in hell. It’s no less than what you deserve.”

Kinley held her breath as she watched LeRoy’s intense gaze lock onto Levi, his body tense and ready for action. She could feel the tension in the air, like electricity before a storm. But just as she kept her eyes on the two men, a distant sound caught her ear.

A siren, growing louder and louder with each passing second. As the sheriff's SUV came into view and slid to a halt, Kinley saw Deputy Logan Townson step from it. He had his gun drawn and aimed at LeRoy from behind the safety of the vehicle’s hood.

The scene unfolded in front of her like a twisted dance. Logan ordered LeRoy to get on his knees, but he stood defiantly in place, staring back with wild eyes.

“I ain’t going back to prison,” LeRoy bellowed, his voice shaking with fear and desperation.

“You’re either getting in my vehicle, or the coroner’s. Makes no difference to me,” Logan shouted back, unwavering in his resolve. “If you make one move, I will shoot you where you stand,and I don’t miss.” The words hung heavily in the air as both men faced off, waiting for the other to make a move. “Get on your knees.Now!”

After what seemed like forever, LeRoy dropped to his knees.

“Place your hands on your head and interlock your fingers.”

Once LeRoy did that, Logan moved from around the hood, keeping his gun on him, then pulled handcuffs from his utility belt. He holstered his weapon and put the handcuffs on LeRoy, then put him in the back of the SUV while reading him his rights.

Kinley opened the door and ran to Levi, who caught her in his arms.

“It’s okay, baby, I’ve got you,” Levi murmured as she cried on his shoulder. “You’re shaking.”

“I was so scared, Levi,” she said against his shirt.

“Thanks, Logan,” Levi said.

“You’re welcome. Kinley, do you want to press charges?”

She looked at Levi to see him nod.

“Yes.”

“Alright. Come to the office tomorrow and fill out a form about what happened.”

“I will. Thank you, Logan.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Logan looked at Levi. “He’ll be going back to prison.”

“Good,” Levi said.

“You two have a good evening.” Logan got into his SUV, then drove off.

“I’m so sorry,” Levi whispered.

She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

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