Page 59 of Falling for the Grumpy Orc
“Oh, I think we can.” Sheriff Wolfsbane smiles, all his teeth showing. “Mr. Billings here seems very eager to tell us everything in order to get the charges against him reduced. Aren't you, Bront?"
“He's been doing this for years.” The troll nods frantically, relief washing over his features now that he sees a way out. “Finds a property he wants, then hires me to do whatever it takes to force the owners to sell cheap. I have proof of all of them!”
"Get him up and read him his rights, boys," Sheriff Wolfsbane orders, turning back to his deputies. "They’re coming with us."
Two deputies move forward, taking Bogdan from my grip. I let them handle it, watching as they read him his rights and guide him, none too gently, toward one of the cruisers.
"We've been tracking Ashvale for months," the sheriff says, coming to stand beside me. "He's been buying up properties all over the county,some through less-than-legal means. The flooding tonight was just the latest in a string of 'accidents' at properties he wanted to acquire."
I nod, watching as they secure Bogdan in the back of the cruiser.
"He's been harassing Cassidy since she arrived."
"Well, that stops tonight." The sheriff's gaze shifts to the lodge in the distance. "How bad is the damage inside?"
My jaw tightens as I think about the water-logged floors, the sagging drywall, the electrical system likely shot to hell.
"Bad enough," I admit. "First floor took the brunt of it. We'll need to tear out drywall, replace flooring, check all the electrical."
The sheriff nods grimly. "This is quite a mess they've left behind."
He glances over his shoulder at the cruisers, his expression hardening before turning back to me. I shift my weight, feeling the heaviness of what lies ahead. The damage, the cost, the time. It'll be a miracle if I can fix it all before the tourist season begins.
"This is Saltford Bay," Sheriff Wolfsbane says with a subdued tone. "We take care of our own. You would do well to remember it."
The implication isn't lost on me. Cassidy is "our own" now. She's one of them. One of us. Not an outsider anymore, but someone the town has embraced.
The thought settles something in my chest that I didn't realize was unsettled.
"Get back to her." The sheriff nods toward the lodge. "I'll be back to take your statement tomorrow. I trust you'll bring her to your place tonight?"
I nod, casting one last glance at Bogdan in the cruiser before heading back toward the house.
Cassidy meets me halfway across the yard. The moment she spots me walking back from the cruisers, she rushes down the steps, then sprints right at me like her life depends on it.
"Gerralt!" She throws herself into my arms, her body trembling against mine. Her hands frantically move over my chest, my arms, my face, checking for injuries. "Are you hurt? I was so worried when I heard the shouts."
"I'm fine, Princess," I assure her, capturing her hands in mine. "I'm the biggest, baddest thing in those woods. You don't have to worry about me."
Her eyes search mine, relief washing over her features. "You could have been hurt. When I saw you charging after that intruder…"
"It would take more than a troll or two to hurt me," I say, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly. "Much more."
"What happened? " Her voice is steadier now, but her grip on my arms remains tight. "Did the sheriff catch him?"
I guide her toward the steps and she sits down on the wet wood.
"It was Bront Billings who sabotaged the Saltwater Lodge, but he was working for Bogdan Ashvale," I confirm, watching anger flash across her face. "Billings cut the pipes while Ashvale waited in the truck as lookout. Sheriff's got them both in custody now."
"So it's over?"
"It's over." I nod, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "You're safe from his schemes. He won't be threatening you or this place again."
Relief floods her features, but it's short-lived. She turns her gaze to the lodge, plunged in damp darkness.
"That's because there's nothing left to threaten. He won."
Her voice breaks and my heart breaks with it.
