Page 46 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“I’m not going to bullshit or debate with you,” Chase said coldly. “I shot Jonas and I would have shot that fucking bastard who got away had he not dove out my window just in the nick of time. And I’ll do it again if anyone threatens me or anyone under my roof. As for Kit, there’s no debate on where she stays. It’ll be here. She witnessed a crime. Until the people responsible are dealt with accordingly, she’ll remain. It is not your choice, but hers. She’s agreed and that’s final.”

Rory’s eyes lowered to me and just like a lawyer, he crossed his arms over his chest and sat back in the chair, as if he were at home.

“What crime? Have you contacted the sheriff and reported it? Or…are we referring to her hit and run accident? I’ve already taken care of that. She’ll be fine.”

Chase’s hand settled on my shoulder. It distracted me enough for him to start talking before I could.

“She didn’t commit a hit and run. Yes, she hit a man with her car, but he was already beaten half to death when he ran into the road. What she witnessed was your sheriff friend and Leonard Rollins chasing Gavin Dell, who they eventually killed that day. His body was recovered only yesterday, on the outskirts of Cedar. But no need to worry, Rory. I have people looking into it. I assure you the guilty won’t go unpunished.”

I couldn’t think past the words Chase spoke. The man had died? Although I knew there was nothing I could have done, it didn’t stop the guilt from causing a tear to escape.

“Gavin died of an overdose.”

Rory’s voice was weaker, uncertain as he looked at us.

“Is that what they told you? And you believe them? Looks like they’re not respecting your authority anymore, Mr. McIntyre. That must make you feel…upset.”

Rage sparked in Rory’s narrowed eyes. “You’re lying.”

Chase let go of my shoulder and came around to my side, placing his palms on the desk as he lowered to stare down at my brother. “Don’t you ever call me a liar again. If you do, you won’t have a tongue left to speak with. The fact is, law in this town is about as clean as your past. And we both know how dirty that is. Which, if you ask me, is a huge issue.” Chase stood, glancing down at me before returning to look at Rory. “It’s a problem, but not something we can’t get around.”

I looked between them, trying to understand what was going on. This was more than the dirty sheriff, or even Rory having him in his pocket. It was more than an intruder or someone attacked on the side of the road.

“It’s time. You know what I’m referring to. I have a friend. Federal,” Chase emphasized. “We’ve been in communication for some time. You know this, don’t you?”

Rory’s arms came down to his sides and he shifted in his seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No?” Chase laughed silently under his breath and I couldn’t stop myself from squirming at the sound. It wasn’t sarcasm or happiness filling his tone. It was so much more…revenge? Worse?

I looked down at the desk before me for the first time, wishing I was on the other side. Away from the priest so close to me. Chase didn’t appear as a man who held morals anymore. He was a stranger. Someone I should have been far away from.

“I had you come to me at three in the morning. I confronted you on the drugs you were hiding in the church. I told your bodyguards to kill you. It didn’t happen that way, though, did it? Nothing about that night was real…was it?”

Rory stood, but didn’t move. He was scared, that was obvious. I’d seen that look before. But what did Chase mean, ‘nothing was real’?

“My federal friend had plans to meet with me the next morning, but we all know that didn’t happen. I was left for dead. Left right there, feet away from where you watched and begged for your own life like the coward you are. Who was it, Rory? Who were the men in the masks?”

“I don’t know,” he rushed out. “They weren’t mine. They…”

A few seconds went by. “I believe you,” Chase said calmly. “Or, I believe you didn’t know at the time what was going to happen. But they underestimated who they were up against. No one comes after me, fails, and lives to tell about it. I’m back and I’ll find out who they are. As for you…”

Rory took a step back and Chase’s hand pushed me into the seat as I tried to stand.

“What do you think my federal friend would do if I informed him of the drugs, illegal money, or missing people in this town? Do you think he’ll let you walk?”

“But it wasn’t all me. I was just…” Rory reached to the chair, holding the back. “My orders—”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Chase cut in, rage thick in his voice. “I could give a shit what you were told to do or how you thought to handle things. This is what I’m telling you is going to happen.” Fingers weaved in my hair and I let out a cry as my head was jerked back. “You’re going to run, far, far away, just like you always do. You’re going to start over in another small town and fade into nothingness. The life you knew before today doesn’t exist anymore. No part of it, Rory. Not your dead mother and sure as fuck not your disgusting, piece of shit father. As for your sister, Kit will pay the price for your betrayal. Won’t you, little one?”

Air brushed against my cheek at his closeness, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from the horror in Rory’s. I could see the flight. I’d seen it before. “Don’t you dare fucking leave me,” I said, reaching my hand in his direction.

“You may go now,” Chase stayed low, next to me, but turned his focus to him. “Say goodbye to Kit. Say it nicely and be genuine about it or else I’m afraid you might make me angry. We both know you don’t want to do that.”

“Don’t.” Although my voice held a slight shake, I was pissed, and my order didn’t fall short.

“I’m sorry, Kit. I’m…sorry for everything.”

“Rory!” Still, I tried to command him not to go. He was already stepping back, already making his retreat to save his own ass, just like he always did.

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