Page 13 of Juno

“We had our detectives go over the car. They were trying to figure out who the dead body in the driver’s seat belonged to. The educated guess was that the body belonged to the owner of the vehicle, but since you’re claiming the car was yours, we’ll have to go down other avenues,” Officer Daniels said.

“Oh, God,” she breathed, “there was someone in the car when it was set on fire?” The thought of anyone meeting their demise like that made her feel sick to her stomach. She hated that someone died in her car. It made her feel as though she was responsible somehow for the person’s death.

“Would you have any idea who the person was?” Officer Riggs asked.

“No,” she quickly breathed, “who would do something like that to another human being?” Saint wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her body into his own. She wasn’t sure why, but it felt natural to have him holding her like that.

“We’re not sure yet,” Daniels admitted. “The car has been towed in to be investigated, and an autopsy is being performed on the victim as we speak. We can contact you when we have more information.”

She nodded, “Thank you.”

“One last question,” Riggs said, “where were you last night between the hours of midnight and two in the morning?”

“I’ve already told you that I was at the emergency room with Saint,” she said.

“We’re there witnesses who saw you there?” Riggs asked.

“Yeah, me,” Saint said. “My brother Dare was there during that time with her and a very grumpy receptionist was behind the desk. I’m sure that between the three of us, Juno has a solid alibi.”

“In that case, you need to stay someplace safe. Do you have somewhere you can stay?” Riggs asked.

“I’m sure that’s not necessary,” Juno said. “My apartment is safe enough.”

“I’d really love to be able to tell you that you’re right, but you’re not,” Banshee said. “You’re not safe anywhere. Come home with me.” The last thing Juno wanted was to stay with her club’s Prez. She was married and had a new baby at home. She didn’t want to be a third wheel—or in this case, a fourth wheel.

“I appreciate that, Banshee,” she said, “but I don’t want to cramp your style. You have a family and don’t need me hanging around. Plus, if it’s not safe for me anywhere, I can’t put your family in danger.”

“You can stay here,” Saint said. “I don’t have any family, and I can take care of myself if something happens. Besides, I need help getting around for the next two weeks. You can drive me around since you caused this,” he said. Using her guilt against her was a shitty move.

“I can get the Bastards involved, and even have some of the Harlots help out,” Banshee said.

“Sounds like you have a plan,” Officer Daniels said. “We’ll be in touch and if you have any questions, or think of anything else we should know, here’s my card.” He handed her the business card from his shirt pocket. Juno took it and nodded her thanks. She was sure that protesting having to stay at Saint’s place wasn’t going to get her anywhere. Besides, she kind of liked the idea of getting to know him a little better. He was a conundrum—he looked like a badass biker on the outside, but on the inside, she sensed a sweet gentleness with a hint of nerd, and she dug guys like that.

Saint

He was expecting more of a fight from Juno about staying with him—but she gave him none. He wasn’t sure if that made him happy or pissed him off. He liked how feisty she was, but when it came to staying with him, she had no sassy comebacks or anything that he had gotten used to from her over the past 24 hours.

Banshee had stuck around after the cops left, and he was grateful. He wasn’t ready to be alone with Juno yet, and that was ridiculous since they had just spent the entire night alone in his house.

Banshee told Juno that she should trust her friends with the truth, but Saint could tell that she still wasn’t sure if she should. Juno had spent so much time hiding the truth from her friends that she was worried that they’d be angry with her, and he had to admit that he’d be angry if one of his friends kept a big secret from him—not that he had many friends.

Before Banshee left his place, she had a full schedule lined up of Bastards and a few Harlots to watch his place. She wanted to put someone on his front porch, but Saint refused and told her that it would look bad if the Royal Bastard’s Sergeant at Arms had to have a security detail. He was the security team for the club, and he didn’t want anyone standing on his porch protecting Juno and him. He meant it when he said he was capable of taking care of himself and that also extended to Juno now that she was staying with him.

“I’ll need a few things from my apartment,” she said. Juno had spent most of the afternoon sitting on the sofa sulking. He thought that her little pout was pretty cute, but every time he opened his mouth to tell her that, she stopped him dead, telling him that she wasn’t ready to talk.

“So, now you want to talk to me?” Saint asked.

“Don’t be an ass,” she grumbled. “I’ve just been through a lot over the past day. I need to get some sleep and that means I need to go over to my place and pack some necessities. Can I borrow your truck?” Juno asked.

“Yes, but you can’t go alone,” he insisted. “It’s not safe. I’m guessing that Bruno knows your home address.” He wouldn’t put it past that asshole to break into her apartment and wait for her to show back up. Saint couldn’t let that happen. “I’ll go with you,” he said.

“Your arm is broken,” she reminded. He didn’t need to be told about his broken arm. It ached every minute of the day, even on the painkillers. He was saving them for the night, so he could stay awake during the day.

“I’m aware,” he mumbled. “Listen, if you want to go by your place and pick some stuff up, you’ll need to let me tag along.” She didn’t look very happy about the ultimatum, but he could tell that she was going to agree with his rules. Juno was a smart woman. She knew how much danger she was in and who they were probably dealing with.

“Fine,” she spat, “suit yourself, but if you’re going with me, you’ll have to help carry stuff down to your truck. When we get back, I’d like to call my insurance company and report the arson of my car. Hopefully, I’ll get enough to buy something new—well, used, but new to me.”

“How long before you’ll be ready to go?” Saint asked. He wanted to get what she needed, come back home, and take a painkiller. He was hurting and not sure how much help he’d be on his own, but he had a plan.

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