Page 67 of Island Protector

Sharon frowned. “Is that possible?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m just worried.” About Bryce, Sharon, and Miles too.

“I’d be lying if I said you shouldn’t be. Between the pictures and the rest.” She drummed her fingers on the countertop. “Maybe you and Bryce should get away for a bit.”

“Where would we go? Back to Tampa?” She couldn’t stomach the idea. “Mr. Devaney says the custody case isn’t even on the judge’s calendar.”

“My, um, friend in North Carolina has some property. You could take a break. Recover. You and Miles and Bryce.”

“And give the Graingers something to latch onto. No way.” She covered Sharon’s hand with her own. “But thank you.”

She glanced down when her phone chimed with an incoming text. She tapped the icon and then smiled. Turning the phone, she shared the picture with Sharon. “Miles is calling this ‘proof of obedience’.” He was stretched out on the couch, an ice bag on his shoulder.

“Oh, goodness. He looks rough around the edges.”

“I imagine he’s pretty sore,” Molly agreed.

“Hopefully the police will find the person responsible soon,” Sharon said.

Molly had the same hopes.

“You’re sure you won’t go?”

She shook her head. “We have support here. All three of us. And running feels wrong.” She wouldn’t do anything to upset the advantage Mr. Devaney claimed she had.

“Well, okay. I’ll never tell you to ignore your intuition.”

Chapter Seventeen

Miles workedaround the clock through the weekend. When he needed breaks, he sought out Molly and Bryce and on Sunday afternoon he invited them to hang out with him at the marina. He knew they were being watched, though he had yet to spot the bastard. It wasn’t easy, but he ignored everything but the two people who meant the world to him.

If Molly suspected anything, she was either excellent at hiding it, or her fear of the water overwhelmed everything else. Despite her fears and his teasing, she was the only woman he wanted. The only woman he could see himself with in the long run. And though he was still sore and his mind was working on resolving her problems, he did everything he could to show her his forever-level intentions.

Not easy to hold back the words, but he was sure any brave declarations would be better received once she was free and clear of the custody situation and the bastard scamming her.

He didn’t have the proof she needed. Yet. But he would soon.

By Tuesday morning he was sure he had everything in order. He’d found the truck that hit her and he had a goodidea how the bastard who’d driven that truck and manipulated photos of Bryce was evading detection.

His searches, all the digging, was a big risk. Huge. And though he’d reworked the plan time and again, he had to admit he couldn’t pull it off without Knox’s help. Better if he could get Jess and Chief Caldwell on board too. And that was the looming unknown.

Caldwell might just tell him to go to hell and take his heroic efforts elsewhere. The man was damned protective of this town. Although Miles appreciated the man’s dedication, Molly needed a specific, concentrated protective effort to end this emotional onslaught before the bastard raised the stakes.

She was caught up in a sick scheme and the sooner they brought it to a head, the better.

When Knox and Jess walked into the sailing school to meet Miles, they wore equally dubious expressions. He had a fresh pot of coffee waiting and as soon as Caldwell arrived, Miles flipped the sign on the door to “closed” and threw the lock.

“Thank you all for coming.”

The chief eyed the locked door. “I already don’t like this.”

“Well you’re going to like it even less in a minute, but I need your help. All of you,” Miles began. “I’ve been digging into recent events. Molly’s wreck. The vandalism. The photos of Bryce.” He looked at the chief. “That poor install on the car seat was rigged.”

Caldwell shook his head. “People make that mistake all the time.”

“Not Molly,” Miles argued. “I went out and looked at the car. Someone made sure that booster seat would slip.”

“When?” Knox demanded.

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