Page 52 of Wrangled
“Everything okay?”
They both turn to look at me.
“All good. Riggs is helping by pointing out areas that he thinks will be good spots for cameras. Let’s get a couple of drones too. If there is an issue that the sensor picks up but not the camera, or if the camera gets taken out, the drones will get there faster than we can,” David adds.
I shrug. It’s not like I can tell anyone the house has a built-in warning system. “Whatever you think I’ll need.”
Riggs grins. “Even I know that’s dangerous to say. You’ll end up with a tank in your yard and a team of mercenaries.”
“I mean, I could make that happen?—”
I laugh at David. “Nope. No tanks or mercenaries. I have Riggs and you. That’s more than enough.”
Both men look pleased at my statement. Jen mutters something under her breath, but I don’t call her on it.
“Well, while they’re doing whatever it is they’re doing, why don’t you and me drive into town?” she suggests.
“No thanks. I’m actually waiting for a delivery anyway.”
Jen crosses her arms. “You can’t avoid the place forever. Better to rip the Band-Aid off now, don’t you think?”
“The Band-Aid has been ripped. I went to the town meeting for all of five minutes. A man just died here, Jen. If you thought people would forgive that, regardless of it being a heart attack, you’re mistaken.”
She stomps toward me, her hands going to my face. For a moment, I’m struck with a powerful reminder of what I missed out on growing up without a mother.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of, and you damn sure don’t need to be hiding out here.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“You’re hiding. I’m not saying I don’t understand why, I’m saying you’re not a kid anymore. You need to go and hold your head high and let them know you won’t be pushed around. Even if you don’t go back often, you need to set a precedent. It’s the only way for people to stop targeting you.”
I scrub my hands down my face. It’s not as simple as she’s making out. But despite the churning in my gut, there is some wisdom in what she’s saying.
“Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I stomp off to get my boots and a cardigan to throw over my tank top and jeans.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” I hear Riggs say, but I miss what’s said afterward.
By the time I walk back into the kitchen, there is a silent standoff happening. “I’ll come with you,” Riggs says to me, his teeth gritted together. As much as I want to hide behind this man, there is a part of me that wants to protect him. Now that the locals know he’s here, they’ll start to pick apart his life too.
I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. Nobody will try shit with Jen there, and as she said, I’m not that little girl anymore. I can handle it. Besides, right now you’re my ace in the hole. Most people don’t know you’re living here, so if they come looking for trouble…”
“They’ll fucking find it,” he growls.
“Okay, I get the appeal, but let’s get this show on the road. I have tennis later with Judge Jedding and dinner with the DA, and if I’m late for either, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Both Riggs and I look at her.
“What?”
“We are not the same.” I chuckle before shooing her toward the door. “Let’s get this over with.”
“It’s gonna be fine. You’ll see.”
Chapter Seventeen
With the window down, the cool breeze whips my hair into a frenzy, but I don’t bother trying to corral it into place. There’s no point. I take in the scenery, which is as drab and gloomy as my mood, and try to find anything endearing about this place. I know my reasons for coming back, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why everyone else stayed here.
