Page 3 of Sutton's Shadow

Ian turned to him; one brow raised.

“What? She needed a way to protect herself. It worked. She’s safe, and I’d do it again.” He needed to keep reminding himself of that?she was safe. Even as his gut soured at the levels they’d had to stoop to, Bethany would ultimately come home with him, and she’d be protected.

Ronnie surged to her feet and lunged at him. Wyatt didn’t flinch. Even without her hands restrained behind her back, she was no match for him. “You son of a bitch!” She howled as a deputy attempted to pull her back. “You’ll pay for this. Mark my words. You and the little bitch. You have no fucking idea who you’re messing with.”

Wyatt scoffed. “I know exactly who I’m dealing with. The same person I’ve been forced to deal with for the past thirty-four years. The lowest of the low. You’re going away for a very long time, and I, for one, hope you rot there.”

The smirk that tipped her lips gave him pause. “We shall see.” Ian gestured for a deputy to take her out of the house. Just before she stepped over the threshold, she threw him one last taunt. “You better watch your back, son. You won’t be able to protect her every second of the day.”

Wyatt rushed her, getting in her face. “You lay one more hand on her, and I will end you.”

“Don’t worry.Iwon’t touch her.” With that pithy comment, she walked down the steps toward the patrol unit. She must have spotted Bethany standing with Jude where he’d left her across the street. “Mommy will be back, darlin’. Don’t miss me too much. We’ll be together again soon.”

Bethany stiffened while Jude wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He whispered something in her ear, and she nodded, the tension easing from her body.

“Jesus Christ, that woman is not right,” Ian remarked, following Wyatt down the cracked sidewalk.

With a snort, Wyatt replied, “You got that right. Is this enough? Can we finally end this nightmare for Bethany?”

“I’m confident Ronnie and those men will go away for a long time. She’s facing a slew of charges, including drug possession and child endangerment. I’ll personally oversee this case and make sure there are no screwups.”

Wyatt blew out the breath he’d been holding since the moment Bethany was born. “Thanks man. That means a lot to me.”

“Listen, I know you’d like to take her home, but I need you both to come down to the station. We need to record your statements as quickly as possible.”

“I get it. We’ll follow you there.”

Hourslater,Wyattpacedthe nondescript hall in the sheriff’s station, waiting for Bethany. He had given his statement about the incident in the woods where he’d found Bethany, anxious to get back to her. A representative from Child Protective Services sat with her as she answered Ian’s questions. They wouldn’t let Wyatt in with her, which pissed him off.

Reaching one end of the hall, he turned to retrace his steps. Jude stood leaning against the wall nearby, arms crossed over his chest. He appeared relaxed, but Wyatt knew that was far from the truth. As a former Delta, Jude’s training allowed him to react to any threat within seconds. A skill he hadn’t let slide even after having been out of the Army for years.

Finally, a door opened, and Bethany stepped out. His heart clenched when he caught sight of her face, drained of all color except around her eyes. It was obvious she’d been crying, and he felt the need to hit something. A man he didn’t know had his hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s go,” the man said to Bethany, directing her away from him.

What the hell?“Bethany?”

She glanced at him, her face ravaged. Her lower lip trembled before the man turned her to head down the hall. Away from him.

Wyatt stepped forward. “Wait a minute. Where are you taking her? She’s coming home with me.”

The man shot him a bored look. “I’m sorry, and you are?”

“I’m her brother. I’m taking her home with me, where she’ll be safe.”

“I’m afraid that can’t happen. You don’t have guardianship, and I’m assuming you are not eligible for fostering. Bethany will go to a foster home while things get worked out with her mother. She’ll be well taken care of there.”

“The fuck you say? Things will not get worked out with Ronnie. She did nothing to stop the attempted rape of her own daughter. She does not deserve to be a mother.”

“That may be, but until we know for sure, Bethany will remain under CPS’s care.”

“No. Bethany will come home with me. I’ve been fighting for too long to get her to safety. I will not let you stop me now.” Jude’s hand landed on his shoulder, reminding him to control his rage. He fisted his hands at his sides, clenching his jaw before he said or did something to the CPS guy he’d regret. His gaze darted to Bethany’s distraught face. This was hard enough on her; he didn’t want to make things worse.

“This is the way it has to be,” the man reiterated, pulling out a card and handing it to Wyatt. “You can call my office tomorrow for more information. Let’s go, Bethany.”

“Wyatt?” Her anguished voice cut straight through his heart. She pulled out of the man’s hands and threw herself at him. “I want to go home with you,” she sobbed into his neck. He squeezed her tight, the turmoil overwhelming him. Fighting back the burn of tears, needing to appear strong for her, he couldn’t believe after everything that happened, he was still failing her.

“I’m sorry, little heart. We’ll be together soon, I promise. I will not stop until that happens.” She nodded before taking a step back. He cupped her face in both hands, thumbs wiping away her tears. Tears that sliced into him.

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