Page 77 of Montana Manhunt

“They’ll separate us. Standard procedure.”

He sighed. “I know. I don’t want Violet out of my sight, though.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Violet said.

“How?”

“Just watch. We better go. Fitz looks ready to pitch a fit.”

“We don’t want to give the cops an excuse to charge us with obstructing justice,” Grant muttered. He exited the vehicle, met Rayne at the front, and threaded his fingers through hers.

Noah opened his door and reached back to help Violet from the SUV. Truthfully, she was in better shape than he was. Everything hurt, especially the wounds Violet had closed with stitches. He now regretted refusing the standard Fortress pain killers. He needed that medicine in the worst way. Too late now, though. Plus, the last thing he wanted to do was answer questions when his head was foggy.

Once he closed the door behind Violet, Rayne locked the vehicle. Hopefully, the local cops wouldn’t break the law by jimmying the locks to search inside.

Noah wrapped his hand around Violet’s. “Have I told you today how beautiful you are?” he murmured.

Her head whipped toward his. “How can you say that? My hair is a mess and I’m pretty sure I have dirt smudges on my face.”

She had several streaks of dirt and a few scratches. Despite that, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “All I see is you, the perfect woman for me.”

Violet stopped mid-stride, stepped up to Noah, and kissed him hard.

“Get moving,” snapped Hanson. “We don’t have time for this.”

Noah ignored him for a few seconds more, then reluctantly broke the kiss. “We’ll pick this up later.”

She winked. “I’ll remember.” Violet wrapped one arm around his waist and they resumed their walk to the station.

That slight pause had given Noah enough of a break from the pain that he could mask his discomfort for the rest of the trek to the building.

They followed Hanson to the interrogation rooms. “One of you bozos in each room. I’ll take Violet. Jasper, you go with Rayne. Cam, you and Danny split up with Noah and Grant.”

Violet shook her head. “Noah and Grant were seriously injured this morning. Dr. Wheeler instructed me to watch both of them.”

“You ain’t in the hospital anymore. You’re in my house now.”

“If you want to call the doctor and bother him when he should treat other patients, be my guest. But I’m not letting these men out of my sight.”

“You don’t want to push me right now, Violet,” Hanson growled, moving toward her with his hand clenched and raised as though he planned to strike her.

Noah stepped between them. “Touch her for any reason and you’ll regret it.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Nope. I’m explaining the facts. You’re a cop. Act like one.”

“What’s going on here?” Detective Ellis snapped as he strode into the hallway. His partner appeared a moment later.

“I’m trying to separate our perps, but they’re not cooperating.” Hanson glared at Violet. “I ought to charge you with obstruction and toss your fine backside into one of our cells.”

“That’s enough, Hanson,” Freeman said. “You’re needed back at the apartment building. We’ll take it from here.”

The cop stared at the detectives for a beat before motioning to his friends. “Let’s go, guys. Duty calls.” Hanson shoulder-checked Violet as he passed her.

Noah steadied his woman and tucked her against his side, fury boiling in his gut. He’d love five minutes alone with that jerk.

“If you want to interview us, you’ll do it with all of us together in the same room.” Violet stared at Ellis.

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