Page 53 of Stay for Me

“Didn’t shoot you. Shot the grass an inch from your foot,” Mags informed him simply, tipping his hat to the grass.

Lucas gaped at him, blubbering out a string of words that even I, after all the times I’d seen him under the influence, couldn’t make out.

Slowly, Mags stepped down from the porch, his demeanor shifting. “That’s the only form of mercy I’ll ever give you, you son of bitch,” he vowed, his voice low. “You speak to Diana, bother Diana, or try totouchDiana again, I’ll send you back to the hell you crawled your way out of.”

My eyes swung to Chase as my lips parted on a gasp, hoping to find a voice of reason. His blue eyes told me all I needed to know. He was on Mags’ side with this one, meaning he would let the cowboy kill my ex and most likely help him burn his body.

I mouthed “please,” to my friend, knowing he would show mercy if asked. That was just the kind of man Chase was.

With a sigh, Chase bent down and slapped some handcuffs on Lucas—who didn’t put up much of a fight, instead staring up at Mags in fear.

“Get up,” Chase ordered, helping him get to his feet as my eyes remained on the grass, wondering if this was all some twisted dream.

“Diana,” Lucas pleaded.

“What the fuck did I just say?” Mags clipped, loading my gun again. My eyes snapped up just in time to see Chase shaking his head at the cowboy, jerking Lucas in the opposite direction. Once he was in Chase’s cruiser, I saw Mags finally lower the weapon.

Nothing was said as I moved back to my porch. Not even a minute later, the Sheriff was back.

“Alright,” he sighed, rolling his neck and gesturing to me. “What happened?”

“Are you taking a statement, or are you going to be a witness to murder tonight, Sheriff?” I asked calmly, raising my chin. Out of the corner of my eye, Mags moved, heading back to me.

Chase ran a hand through his hair before pinning me with a look. “Don’t fucking start.”

“Where are you taking him?” I demanded.

A muscle in his cheek jumped as he said, “To the fucking station.”

“Will he be there in the morning?” I pressed, wrapping my arms around myself.

“If I had it my way, I would’ve sent him out of town this afternoon,” Chase shot back.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“And you haven’t given me a damn statement, Diana.”

I opened my mouth to speak but stopped short when a hand wrapped around the back of my neck, the rough pads of Mags’ fingers imprinting themselves on my skin.

“You don’t need a statement, Bowen. Just get that piece of shit out of here,” Mags clipped, his body heat near me once more.

Chase’s eyes lingered on Mags’ arm for a moment before his blues shifted to me. “You sure you’re alright?” he asked softly, his attitude fading now.

No, I was that furthest thing from alright, but I couldn’t let him or anyone else see. I nodded and lied again. “I’m alright, Chase.”

He returned the nod before taking a step closer, and Mag’s fingers tightened on the back of my neck.

“I’m sorry I didn’t answer when you called,” Chase murmured, studying my face. “I was passed out, and I guess I thought it was my alarm.”

The tension in my shoulders dissipated. “I’m sorry for causing you any trouble,” I replied. “You, more than anyone in this town, need your sleep.”

His jaw tightened, and he looked over his shoulder. “You didn’t cause anything.” When he looked back to me, he muttered, “I should’ve arrested him earlier today.”

“I told you not to,” I reminded him.

“I shouldn’t have listened to you.”

A smile teased at the corner of my mouth. “You rarely do.”

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