Page 109 of Hate So Deep

A chill marches down my spine at his icy question but I shake my head. I amsonot going down that road again.

I still don’t know what Dirk did and I regret not asking him, but I was distracted by the specter of my house and whatever the fuck happened there.

“Whatdidhappen?” Finn asks, eyeing Colt warily.

“Two fuckers with a warning,” I grumble, and Colt drops onto the ottoman before me.

“Who?”

I don’t know how to process what’s going on or the fact that Colt of all people is acting so rabid. I feel like I’m in theTwilight Zoneor something.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say and Colt’s eyes narrow.

“Who are you protecting?”

Good question. Am I withholding because I don’t want Dirk’s involvement to be exposed or something else?

Clearing my throat, I avert my gaze and say, “It was two guys. I didn’t know them.”

We both know that I’m not telling the whole truth, and I squirm when he cocks his head.

Finally, he asks, “What was the warning?”

“Stop asking about my brother,” I whisper.

“Buck? Why would you be asking about him?” Colt asks and for once he doesn’t sneer his name.

“It’s a long story…”

“We got time,” he says before crossing his arms and raising a brow.

Twenty minutes later, I’ve told him almost everything and although his mouth curves into a more menacing scowl the further I get into the story he doesn’t comment until I finish.

“What did you do with the bloody shirt?” he asks.

I feel bad about lying since he’s been a decent human being, but I don’t want Dirk to lose his friend over something I did which is why I didn’t mention him.

“I burned it.”

Nodding, he stands, and Finn follows. While I push myself to the edge of the chair, ready to lay down and take a damn nap, he says, “You don’t want to tell me who, that’s fine but Iwillfind out.”

With that, he leaves, and I meet Finn’s wide eyes before waving pathetically.

Hopefully, he doesn’t get the answers he’s searching for, but I doubt he’ll give up until he does.

He may not like it but in that he shares the same single-minded intensity as our brother…Buck.

Chapter 41

NOW

Lauren

Yesterday my dad told me the police needed another interview, and this inspired him to hire some big shot lawyer, who’s meeting us at the station.

This should bring me comfort, but I know Aimee is still missing and until that poor girl is brought home, none of this is going to go away.

Unfortunately, we find out as soon as we get to the station that our visit isn’t as innocent as a simple questioning.

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