Page 112 of Call it Reckless

“I can’t believe this was going on in our community. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure they’re punished to the maximum extent.”

I pushed off the ground and headed back out front, leaving Zach to process his emotions. I had my own to deal with.

“Reid.” I stiffened as I heard Nick’s voice.

I walked over to where he was still stretched on the ground. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“You have to believe me. I had no idea what was going on here. Griff told me there were some more puppies here after I admired his. That’s all I was here for. I’m a cop. A good one. You know that.”

Griff remained still, not saying a word, but looking between me and Nick.

I stared at the darkening sky. “You’re a sick motherfucker. I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth. I heard the transaction. The fact that you’re a cop makes it worse. Buddy was right about you.”

“Reid,” he called, but I walked away, ignoring anything he had to say. It was time to wrap up things here.

* * *

It wasanother three hours before I was able to leave. The three men had been hauled away. Griff remained silent the entire time. Jack and Nick kept proclaiming their innocence, but Jack was going away for a while; we’d found plenty of evidence for animal cruelty. I wasn’t as sure what the exact charges would be for the other two, but I’d let the state district attorney work that out.

It was close to ten before I could check my phone. There was only one text from Emalee telling me she had Lexi taken care of for the night. I knew Lex had wanted to stay with Bristol, but after the lunch event, my stubborn woman hadn’t answered her phone.

I played the only voice mail, the one I hadn’t been able to listen to earlier.

“Reid, look. I’m sorry for earlier, but—”

But what? Why had it cut off? Hopefully, it was because her phone had died, but something told me it was more. Griff had still been at the garage when I left her. Had he done something to her before he came here? Is that why he kept looking at me and not saying anything?

I jumped into my SUV and immediately dialed her number as I pressed the accelerator harder.

“Come on, Bristol. Pick up.”

The only response was a message stating the person I called was unavailable right now. Fear I hadn’t experienced in nearly seven years zapped through my veins. I took the mountain road as fast as I dared, driving through town with my lights flashing, not that there was anyone in my way at that hour.

After what felt like hours, I pulled up to her house. I was unable to pull into the driveway from several extra cars. Lights shone from nearly every window, and I could see extra people milling about in jackets that read “FBI” on the back.

I dashed from the car and ran across the lawn, hurdling up the steps, and bursting through her door. I was immediately accosted by two men who grabbed me by the arms.

“Where is she? Let me go.”

“Deputy Braxton, you need to—”

“Bristol!” I shouted.

“Reid?”

I stopped struggling and locked eyes with the woman most precious to me standing across the foyer in the entrance to the living room, Buddy next to her.

Bristol launched herself at me. My arms were released just in time to catch her. She clung to me as I held her close.

“Oh, thank god,” I mumbled into her hair. “You scared the shit out of me.”

I could have sworn I heard a sniffle against my chest. I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, which blinked back tears.

“I’m so sorry for being mad earlier,” she breathed. “I wanted to call you, but they wouldn’t let me. They took my phone away. I’ve been scared to death not knowing if I’d get to tell you how much I love you.”

The rest of the world fell away.

“You love me?”

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