Page 105 of Crossroads of Love

“Are people…going to think I was involved after it all comes to light?”

“I’ll do my best to make sure the truth is out there. That Aaron acted alone without your knowledge of any of it. People will always make their own stories up, but we can’t control that.”

I nod slowly, then blow out a long, slow breath.

“I’ll be in contact. I have someone posted here watching and someone at Lena’s watching as well. No one will be able to get to any of you.”

“How will we know they’re there?”

“You won’t. Just trust that they are.”

Hank, David, whatever his name is, stands and starts toward the door.

“No one else needs to know about this. It could blow everything up to where I can’t make any arrests.”

Gavin and I both nod as we follow him out to the front porch.

“Why is this all coming to light now?” I ask. “It’s been two years since Aaron died, and if you knew then…”

“Unfortunately, these things take time. I need a rock-solid case so none of these people get off. When Aaron was killed, they also had gotten to one of my informants, attacked his daughter, and sent him into hiding. Without him, I had to continue building a better case. I’m there now. I’ll be in touch,” he says before he goes to his truck and leaves.

I look back at Gavin.

“I was not expecting that at all.”

“Me neither.”

“What do we do now?”

“He said to go back to your place, so we’ll do that. I had an alarm system and security cameras installed here, so if someone tries to break in again, then we’ll have footage.”

“I guess I’ll need to do that at my house too.”

“I may have been presumptuous, but I scheduled an install for you tomorrow. I was going to have them do it while you were at work. I’ll be working from home there, but I’d still feel safer.”

“What is it they say, it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission?”

“That’s it.” He chuckles as he pulls me into him. “I will grab my bag and follow you back into town.”

He leans down and kisses me softly.

“Let’s order the diner for dinner tonight. I’m not in the mood to cook.”

“I’m not going to argue with that.” He laughs as he releases me.

He darts inside to get his bag, and I walk to my car. It’s not long before we’re steering back into town. His headlights bounce off my rearview mirror.

It’s a lot of information to take in, but I’ve never felt safer than I do with Gavin following me.

I trust David to take care of all of this before all hell breaks loose for us.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gavin

Ipull into the diner’s parking lot, gravel crunching under my tires as I shut off the engine. More people are out and about today, all huddled in groups talking.

Something big must have happened. It seems Hicks Creek gossip is at an all-time high.

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