Page 91 of Cautious Love

“He does, but I can’t … I can’t press charges.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going to handle it,” he says and cups my cheek.

Tears well in my eyes, and I look up, trying to blink them away. I don’t want to cry, especially not because of this. But there are a lot of emotions, a lot of regrets I have when I think of Grey, and I’m working hard to move on from them. Telling Dad helped, but only so much.

I hop off his lap and wipe my eyes quickly. “You’re already late, which means I am too,” I mumble and head for my room.

Ledger grabs my wrist and tugs me into his chest. “Don’t hide your emotions from me, Shiloh. I can handle a woman crying as long as it’s not because of me,” he says.

I snort and shake my head as silent tears fall. “It’s not because of you. I regret a lot when it comes to Grey, and I wish I had more courage to leave him before he literally forced his hand.”

Ledger’s arms tighten around me, and I bury my face in his chest. “I understand that. But I need you to understand me. I will protect you from him. He might be smart, but he’s also cocky. Dumbasses and cockiness don’t go together. Usually, it means they’re easier to catch.”

“I think he did this because he was mad,” I mumble into his shirt.

“Don’t really don’t care what his motive was. I only care about putting cuffs on him.”

“But what if he talks about that night?” I mumble.

“It’s my word against his,” he says.

I take a shaky breath, stomach in knots. “But I don’t want you to take the fall for somethingIdid.”

“Let’s not worry about that right now,” he says, releasing me. “Let’s get ready for work. I’ll drop you off, and then text me when you need me to pick you up. I need you to be with people or me until he’s brought in. Okay?”

I nod and he slaps my butt.

“Good girl,” he says.

I lick my lips, looking him up and down. “Quit that, go get dressed,” he says, admiring me with the same heat I’m feeling.

I hum and stare a little longer. “We have a date tonight, don’t we?” I ask him.

He smiles and rubs his mustache. “We do, but we’ll never get to it if we don’t get to work.”

I roll my eyes and groan, heading to my room. “I’d rather skip to it.”

Ledger chuckles and says, “Patience can be a beautiful thing, Shy.”

I groan and close my door. I feel like a stick of dynamite, and he lit the match last night.

Chapter 23

Ledger

I’mlatetowork,and I’ve never been happier about it. But today was not the day I should be late.

“Luke, my office!” I yell, getting rid of the smile on my face.

Luke hurries in and closes the door behind him.

“Have you heard anything? I haven’t.”

He shakes his head and sits down. “I figured he would be here by now,” he says.

My stomach twists, and my good mood flies away like dust on the wind. “If he’s not here by eight this morning, call him.”

Luke nods and stands to leave, then Daisy knocks on the door. “Sheriff? Will is here,” she says with wide eyes.