Page 115 of Love Me Fierce

Frustration flashes under my skin. “No fucking way.”

He arches an eyebrow.

“Sir,” I add.

“One of these vice cops is Vivian Reece’s ex. Did you know about this?”

“I only found out a little while ago. Though the intel was vague. And I didn’t know how Vivian’s ex and Jordy were linked until it was too late.”

Sheriff Olson’s lips tense in a grimace. “The feds have promised me Jordy Clarke won’t go free. He’ll still serve time for aggravated battery.”

That the man who nearly killed Vivian is getting any kind of leniency makes me want to kick down these walls.

I scrub my face with my hands. “Do we have a choice?”

“Yes, but pursuing Jordy against the FBI’s request will come with far-reaching consequences.” Zach pretty much said the same thing.

We need cooperation if we’re going to bring in Michelle and Marin’s murderer.

Damn it.

“Okay, but here’s my line in the sand,” I say, rolling to my feet. “Vivian stays out of it. She can give a deposition here if they need an account of the crash, but that’s where her involvement ends. The feds leave her out of their equation. They don’t hound her to testify against her ex or make any kind of appearance. She’s out, and she stays out. For good.”

“Done,” Sheriff Olson says.

Though this agreement stings, it’s the right call, and we both know it.

I lock eyes with him. “Okay.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

VIVIAN

I waketo the dim room and the steady rhythm of my heart monitor.

“Hey, there, sunshine.” Everett caresses my forehead.

I drink in his gorgeous brown eyes and kind smile. “Hi.”

“How are you feeling?”

I suck in a slow breath, let it out. “Okay. My head’s not pounding anymore.”

Everett slides his big palm beneath mine and brings my fingers to his lips. The burn dressing looks garish on my arm, but at least the injury is superficial. Unlike my bruised ribs and broken ankle. But it could be so much worse.

“Where’s Matty?” I ask.

“Mom and Dad are bringing him in when he wakes up.”

“Okay.” I close my eyes and release another slow breath. I don’t know how I’m going to take care of him right now. But what’s important is that he’s safe.

“The nurse said you’ll be able to go home later today if you continue to feel better,” Everett says.

I nod, but emotion stings my nose. “That’s good.”

When I look away, he tilts my chin so we’re eye to eye again. “Not to The Meadows, baby. I’m bringing you home with me.”

I suck in a breath. “Everett, no. I’m so done with imposing on you and your family. Matty and I will be fine.”

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