Текст книги "Love or Justice"

Автор книги: Rachel Mannino

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

CHAPTER SIX

Laurie

Laurie was in the car. Her parents were in the front seat. Her brother sat with her in the back. They were going out to get ice cream. Her brother played with a new etch-a-sketch. He broke one every couple of months, but he would create the most elaborate scenes on them. Laurie was positive he would be an amazing artist someday. In honor of their trip out for ice cream, which did not happen often, he sketched out the ice cream sundae he wanted to get.

Right as he poured on the chocolate syrup, Laurie looked up to see a tractor-trailer heading straight for their vehicle.

“No, stop! Look out!” She braced herself. But it was too late.

The car careened into the tractor-trailer. Laurie was pinned in the backseat. She could sense that her parents and her brother were dead. They weren’t moving, but Laurie was still alive. The tractor-trailer backed up and rammed the car again.

“No! Stop! Please!”

She screamed as the tractor-trailer backed up again.

“Help!”

“Laurie! Wake up!” Dante’s voice sliced through the nightmare.

Laurie opened her eyes.

Dante pressed her against his chest.

She moaned.

“I’m so sorry, Dante. I’m so sorry.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. That was an old nightmare.”

“Have you always had nightmares this often?” Dante wrapped both arms around her.

Laurie’s hand combed through her disheveled hair as Dante continued to clutch her to his chest. He was warm and solid beneath her cheek. He smelled of spicy aftershave, soap, and the slightest hint of coffee. Laurie couldn’t stop herself from nuzzling his shoulder as he pressed his hand to her hair.

“I had them for a while after my parents died. For a few years. Dreams like the one I just had, where I’m in the car and I’m watching them die, but I can’t do anything to save them. After a while, the nightmares went away. Then Kaimi waved his gun in my face. I haven’t had a peaceful night since.”

She twisted her fingers into Dante’s t-shirt. The strength under her hands soothed her.

He ran his hands over her hair, rubbing her back. He pulled back to hold her hands.

“Laurie, if these nightmares are going to keep happening, I may need to start sleeping in your room with you. I can sleep on the floor in here just fine, but I can’t sleep in the other room when I think you’re being attacked in here.”

“I’m sorry, Dante.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I just can’t get them to go away.”

“No, I know. I know.” Dante embraced her again. “I just need to know you’re safe, okay? You can think about it and let me know what you’re comfortable with.”

“I’ll think about it.” She sniffled, trying to keep the tears at bay.

Dante repositioned himself on the bed so he could lean up against the wall, propped up by one of Laurie’s pillows. He held her for a long while.

Laurie curled up against him, her chest lying on top of his. She tucked her head up under his chin, and laid her hand over his heart.

He rubbed her back.

She fell into an exhausted sleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dante

Dante woke up uncomfortable. Something poked his leg, and he felt someone sleeping beside him. Where was he? He couldn’t remember. In the dim light in the room, he began to make out Laurie’s sleeping form. Her knee prodded his leg. All at once, reality spun into focus. Dante was horrified. Not only had he slept in Laurie’s room, he had slept beside her. If his boss ever found out, he could lose his job. A disciplinary action at the very least. He would be pulled off the most important assignment in his career. Fuming, he berated himself for what he’d done.

Dante eased Laurie back onto her bed. He had to get back to his room. The clock read 7:00 a.m. It was long before he usually got up, but he was awake now. He crept to the door, and opened it. As he walked to his door on the balls of his feet, he heard a cough behind him. Whirling around, Dante flinched. Cheyn stood there, wearing a stern expression Dante had never seen before.

“What the hell are you doing?” Cheyn crossed his arms over his chest.

“Shhhh. It’s not what you think.” He held up his hands, palms out.

“It’s not?”

“Let’s go downstairs before we wake everyone up.” Dante turned without waiting for a response.

He was mortified. Not only had he stayed in Laurie’s room, but one of his own men caught him coming out. At least it was Cheyn and not David or Max. Cheyn was his best friend. Surely, he would understand, wouldn’t he?

They reached the living room. Dante turned to see Cheyn standing with his arms crossed, his legs planted outside the width of his hips. He looked furious now. Dante jammed his fingers through his hair.

“Listen—” Dante began.

“What the hell were you thinking?”

“Cheyn, it’s not what you think.”

“Really, are you sure about that?”

“She has nightmares. I can hear her on the other side of the wall. I wake up in the middle of the night and she sounds like she’s being attacked. I go into her room. I shake her out of them. I just fell asleep there last night. That’s all.”

Dante felt his face flush. Hearing himself say it aloud made him even more embarrassed. It was a pathetic explanation—he knew that. Dante ran his hand through his hair again. He started to pace the length of the couch.

Cheyn didn’t respond. He just narrowed his eyes at Dante and lowered his chin.

“Look you can ask her about it yourself. I might have to start sleeping in there at night,”

“Yeah, I bet.”

“No, I’d sleep on the floor, Cheyn. Jesus!” Dante threw up his hands in anger.

“I can’t believe you, man. You’re risking your career and this assignment because of a woman. Everyone at the agency is watching this assignment. It can make or break all of us, and you’re up there sleeping with her!”

“Cheyn, this assignment is no different—”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.”

“She’s just another witness to protect. We just do our jobs, like we always do.”

“No. I see the way you look at her, man. You made her breakfast, you took her up to that waterfall. She’s not just another witness. This is not just you doing your job. This is different. You’re different!”

Dante hesitated. Heat rose from the pit of his stomach. His chest tightened and his shoulder muscles flexed. He clenched his fists at his sides. He couldn’t believe Cheyn was so ready to think the worst of him.

“No. I’m not different. I’m just trying to make her time here easy on her. She’s here by herself. She doesn’t have any family to speak of. God, she’s had it tough enough as it is.”

“We have worked together for three years, man. Three years. And I’m telling you—this is different.”

Dante stood there. He didn’t know what else to say.

“You’ve gotta ask the boss to take you off this assignment.”

“No. I won’t. I hear your concerns, Cheyn. I do, but…” Dante put up a hand as he resumed his pacing.

“Man, don’t pull that kind of management bullshit on me. Be real with me.”

“Listen, I hear you, okay. But I’m not different. I’m just trying to make her comfortable here. Make sure she’ll stay long enough for them to find Kaimi and have a trial, okay?”

Cheyn headed for the front door.

“I don’t know what’s sadder, you lying to me or you lying to yourself.”

Dante ground his teeth together. A headache began to form at his temples. He would have shouted at Cheyn if there weren’t people sleeping upstairs. His voice shook, as he tried to keep what he said low and even.

“Cheyn, stop it. I’m not doing anything wrong here.”

Cheyn turned back around.

“Yeah, whatever. Look, you wanna screw up your whole career for this girl, fine. When the boss comes down on you, and he asks me what happened, I’m gonna tell him the truth. You got all sweet on her, and you couldn’t do your job anymore.”

Cheyn turned and went toward the front door.

Dante followed him, talking to his back.

“I’m going to do my job. Just do yours.”

“Fine. I’m just trying to help you out. But since you don’t wanna hear it, I’ll just go back to my job.”

Cheyn pushed open the front door and left, slamming the door in his wake.

Dante stood in the living room, fuming. How dare Cheyn talk to him like that! After everything they had been through together, how could his best friend try to make Dante out to be such a terrible villain? He’d accused him of sleeping with a witness and potentially endangering his whole team. Dante knew it looked bad with him coming out of Laurie’s room, but why didn’t Cheyn trust him? Why would Dante lie to him?

Dante went back up to his room, his thoughts nagging at him. He didn’t go back to sleep. He sat with his laptop doing paperwork, trying to push his anger and his hurt out of his mind.

***

 

Laurie

Laurie woke up with a start. She wasn’t sure what woke her so suddenly. She had the vague impression it was a nightmare, but it slipped away from her. She felt relieved, remembering the horrible nightmare she had about the tractor-trailer during the night. A shiver ran down her back, and she rolled onto her side so she could curl into a ball.

Laurie crossed her arms, rubbing her own shoulder—a gesture more of self-comfort than a need for warmth. The past few days had jumbled her nerves. She felt like they were tied in a knot, and she didn’t know what end she would pull out as each moment passed. Would it be the crying string, the laughing string, or just pure exhaustion? She wished she had some handbook, some guide to being a witness. She’d read countless books on being a lawyer and how to work with a witness on everything from making a statement to cross-examination, but she never came across a single book that even remotely described the witness experience.

She toyed with the idea of talking to Dante about it. Perhaps his counsel would alleviate the pressure building in her chest, but she rejected it. She knew she was already too much of a burden to him. He couldn’t even get a good night’s sleep around her. She had no idea how to repay his kindness to her.

Yet, he wanted to do more. He offered to sleep in her room with her. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. It was tantalizing, to be sure. She wouldn’t mind having such a handsome man in her room. He would be sleeping dutifully on the floor, and she knew he would never take advantage of the situation. Yet, his proximity would heighten her interest in him, a fascination that was bound to lead to unhappiness.

This whole situation was fleeting. She accepted that, and she had to keep reminding herself of it. They were going to relocate her to another state. Dante worked and lived in Hawaii. They were together for the moment, nothing more. The more time she spent with him, the more she let him get close, the more it would hurt when she had to separate from him. Or the more it would hurt when he pushed her away. She couldn’t let herself go down this road, emotionally or mentally. She just had to keep a tight rein on her desire and not let it run rampant in her head.

Laurie dragged herself into a seated position. She wrapped her arms around her legs and thought of everything Dante did to protect her and make her comfortable. It was a long list, longer than any list she could make for anyone else.

She was grateful to all of these men. She was determined that no matter how steep or messy or terrifying this trail became, Laurie would make it as easy on them as she could. If that meant putting on a smile no matter how she felt, then so be it. It was the least she could do.

Laurie got out of bed. When she came downstairs, it was already mid-morning. Dante wasn’t anywhere to be seen from the landing, just David. Standing in the same spot as always. She clamped down on her disappointment as she came down the remaining steps. Now would be a good time to exercise some restraint, while putting on a smile.

“Morning, David!”

“Morning, ma’am.”

“Is everyone else asleep?”

“I guess so. I haven’t seen the boss this morning. I took over for Cheyn at eight, but I think he went for a jog. Max is asleep.”

“Oh, okay. Do you want some breakfast, David?”

“Already had some, but you go on ahead.”

She smiled at him. So far, so good. Laurie turned and went into the kitchen. She got out the griddle. She thought she would make French toast for breakfast. She guessed Dante must have stayed up late with her, so she would just have to fix him some breakfast this morning.

She cracked the eggs, whisked in some milk, and went in search of vanilla and cinnamon. She found the cinnamon hiding at the back of a cupboard, but no vanilla. She dipped in the bread and set it on the griddle. Once she finished making hers, she started making Dante’s breakfast.

Just as she laid the second batch on the griddle, the front door slammed open. Laurie jumped. Cheyn strode in, looking surprisingly cross.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

“Oh, that’s okay. You scared me.” She gave him a smile as she clutched her heart. He didn’t respond, he just moved toward the stairs.

“Cheyn, do you want some French toast? I can make some for you.”

He paused, and then pivoted on the spot.

“Sure.”

“Are you okay? You must be tired.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired. How about you? Did you sleep okay?”

Laurie remembered her nightmare. She turned back toward the griddle to take off the French toast and put it on a plate for Cheyn.

“Yeah, I slept okay.”

“Just okay?” Laurie looked over her shoulder and he was watching her.

She gave him a crooked smile and turned back to her bowl as she whisked up some more French toast mix for Dante’s breakfast.

“He told you didn’t he?”

“Who told me what?”

“About my nightmares, don’t act like he didn’t.” She tossed a look over her shoulder.

“He told me, but I wanted you to tell me.” Cheyn smiled with a wink.

“Well, I just did.”

“What are they like?”

Laurie laid Dante’s breakfast on the griddle, and turned to Cheyn.

“They’re always different. Right after my parents died, I used to have them all the time. They went away after a while. Now they’re back again.”

Cheyn nodded. He reached over for the butter Laurie had on the counter and started spreading it on his breakfast.

“You had another one last night, then?”

“Yes. It was an old one. I’m in my parent’s car with them and a tractor-trailer hits us repeatedly until I wake up. I guess I call out during my nightmares. I keep waking Dante up. It’s embarrassing.” Laurie put Dante’s breakfast on a plate. “I think I kept him up too late last night. He hasn’t even had breakfast yet. Do you think I should wake him?”

“He’s awake.” Dante’s voice sounded from the kitchen door.

Cheyn and Laurie turned to see him leaning against the doorframe.

“Oh! Good morning.” Laurie felt her heart lifting. “Are you hungry?”

Laurie tried to block out the rush of pleasure she felt with Dante’s sudden appearance. She wouldn’t be around him for long, and the high-pressure situation created false intimacy. She repeated those things in her head like a chant. She turned back to the counter to pick up their plates.

“Good morning and yes. Thank you for making breakfast.”

Dante poured himself a coffee and one for Laurie. She set their breakfast down on the kitchen table for him. Cheyn put his plate in the sink.

“You’re not staying?” Laurie raised her eyebrows at him.

“Nope, time for bed.” He exited the room and went upstairs.

“He’s in an odd mood.” Laurie sipped her coffee.

“I noticed.” Dante sat down at the table. There was a little bit too much bite in his words. Laurie regarded him with raised eyebrows.

“Does he switch moods often?”

“Not really, no.”

“Hmmm.” Laurie stared at Dante.

He stared at the newspaper on the table, eating his breakfast, but she could tell he wasn’t reading anything. His eyes weren’t even moving on the page. Dante flipped the page, his brow furrowing in concentration.

“How long have you and Cheyn worked together?”

“Three years.”

“How long have you been in the Marshals Service?”

“Five years last May.” He looked up at her, taking a sip of his coffee. Okay, so he apparently didn’t want to talk about Cheyn.

“Wow, five years. What did you do before that?”

“I was in the police department in San Diego, and before that the Marines.”

“Is that where your dad was? The Marines?”

“Sort of.”

“You said that last time.” Laurie smiled into her coffee cup.

“He worked for the government.”

“I think you said that too.” She leaned forward over the table on her elbows.

Dante smiled at her. They stared at each other over their coffee.

Laurie could feel the tight, exhilarating current that ran between them as they sat in silence. Laurie looked away, her nerves jangling. He defeated her in more ways than one. She sighed.

“All right, fine.”

Dante laughed.

“Will you tell me about your mom then?”

“She was a secretary and a very good mother.”

“What made her a good mother?”

He flicked his eyes up at her with a grin.

“She made me French toast for breakfast.”

Laurie laughed. They heard a car door slam. His smiled faded, and his eyes snapped toward the front door. Every muscle in his neck and shoulders tensed.

“Stay here.” He walked toward the front door, and looked out the window.

“Who is it, boss?” David entered the kitchen. He reached for his gun, and Laurie held her breath.

“God damn it. It’s Evan James.” Dante turned to David. “It’s fine, David. I’ll take care of this.”

Dante opened the door and left, banging it shut behind him. David relaxed. He smiled nervously at Laurie.

She smiled back, releasing her grip on the table. Laurie picked up the plates and put them in the dishwasher. She tried not to notice her hand as it shook.

David went back to his usual spot in the living room.

***

 

Dante

Outside, Dante ambled toward the two men advancing on him from the car. On the right was Dante’s boss. Middle-aged and gaining new girth, Rick had aged himself out of fieldwork. He had gone bald long ago. His rotund face was very pasty given the number of years he had worked and lived in Hawaii. The man on the left couldn’t have been more different. Evan James was tall and lean, wearing a full suit, contrasting with Rick’s haphazard, stained, white button-down shirt. Evan’s brown hair was combed to the side, touched with grey. His face was still boyish, but his blue eyes were all steel. As Dante stopped in front of them, he took a wide stance crossing his arms over his chest.

“Rick. I didn’t realize you be dropping by today. Mr. James.” Dante nodded to him.

“Mr. Stark. Is the girl inside?” Evan buttoned his suit jacket.

“Laurie is inside, yes.” Dante tried to keep the irritation from his voice.

“Dante is the best man in the Marshals Service, Mr. James.” Rick put a hand on Evan James’ shoulder. “Dante will keep her safe.”

“I’d like to speak to her.” He addressed Dante, dismissing Rick entirely.

Dante shot Rick a look, but Rick looked back at him with a helpless shrug.

“I don’t think that’s advisable, Mr. James. Laurie is the only witness we have. This visit is highly unorthodox.”

“I realize that. I would still like to speak to her. Director Hilton approved the visit.” Evan James pulled himself up straight.

Dante looked at Rick.

“It’s true. The director confirmed it to me by phone himself.” Rick nodded.

Dante fought to keep his face expressionless and his exasperation in check.

“I need to enter first, then. It’s protocol so one of my men doesn’t shoot you.” Dante turned and led them toward the house.

He clenched his jaw. He did not like this one bit. When he opened the door to the house, Dante was relieved. Laurie wasn’t in the kitchen. He prayed she went up to take a shower, but he knew it wasn’t a realistic wish. He walked into the living room to find her reading on the sofa. David, recognizing Rick, stood up stick straight.

“Mr. James, this is David. I’ve been training him as a new team member. This is Laurie.”

Laurie got up off the couch and came to the side of it. She gazed at the man, hesitant. She flipped her book from hand to hand and back again.

“Mr. James, I’m very sorry about your wife and son. Have they been found?”

“No, not yet.” Evan removed his sunglasses and peered down his long nose at Laurie.

He regarded her warily. He didn’t offer her his hand, or smile at her. He stood there, his eyes burning holes into her. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, dark shadows were wedged up under his eyes.

“Oh.” Laurie looked away. “And Kaimi?”

“No sign of him yet.”

Rick stepped closer to Laurie.

Laurie nodded.

Mr. James stern expression tightened. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“Laurie.” Dante touched her elbow, pulling her toward him. “This is my boss, Rick. Rick, this is Laurie.”

She gave a wan smile.

Rick stepped forward, offering her his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you. They’ve been taking good care of me here.”

“Good, good.” Rick shook her hand like a well pump. “Dante’s one of the best men I have. I knew you’d be in good hands. Fantastic team here.”

Laurie’s smile turned from tepid to genuine, and she looked up at Dante.

A smile tugged at the corners of Dante’s mouth.

“Ms. Shelton, I would like to speak with you for a few minutes,” Evan interjected.

“Of course.” Her smile disappeared.

Laurie sat down on one end of the couch.

Evan James sat beside her in an armchair.

Dante stood behind Evan, settling himself against the mantel in a pose of feigned relaxation.

Rick sat down in the chair opposite the couch.

Laurie ran her hands over the hard cover book in her lap.

“You saw my wife and son, can you tell me about that?” He leaned forward in his chair.

“Sure.” Laurie looked away as she gathered her thoughts. “I was told Kaimi had checked out of his room—well, the guest in that room. I don’t remember what name he used but it wasn’t his own. I went up there to clean. No one answered when I knocked. I went in, and…”

She faltered, and looked up at Dante, unsure. He nodded yes to her. Laurie’s eyes dropped down to meet Evan’s level gaze. She proceeded to tell Evan everything from the time she entered the penthouse suite to the moment she ran down the stairs.

“Do you know where he was going after he left the hotel?” Evan asked when she finished her story.

“No, he only threatened me. That’s all he said while I was in the room.” She shook her head.

“Did you clean the room on any other days?” Evan clenched his fists on the ends of the arm rests.

“They didn’t want housekeeping service.”

“So during this incident you conveniently escaped from, you didn’t see or hear any indication of where he took my wife and child?”

Dante closed his hands into fists. He didn’t like this turn of conversation. He tried to catch Rick’s attention, but Rick was too busy staring at Evan James in shock.

“No, sir.” Laurie swallowed hard.

“If you did, would you even report it?” Evan gave her a pointed look.

“Mr. James, that’s uncalled for!” Dante pushed away from the fireplace. A stack of DVD’s sitting on the corner of the mantel clattered to the floor, spilling their contents. Dante didn’t care.

Evan James got up from his chair to turn on Dante, his eyes blazing.

“Well, I don’t know. I think it’s called for. This witness conveniently escaped from a known murderer, while my wife and son are carted off to God knows where. I think it raises some questions. I intend to get to the truth.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. James…I’m truly sorry.” The color drained from her face.

Evan James turned toward her. He got down in her face, inches from her nose. He grabbed her by the shoulders, his fingers biting into her flesh.

“Are you? How can I be sure you don’t know where they are? Are you working with Kaimi? Answer me!”

Dante grabbed Evan by the collar and yanked him back so hard the man lost his balance. He fell straight on his ass, and Dante was momentarily satisfied. Until Dante noticed Laurie’s tear filled eyes. For that alone, he wanted to tear the man limb from limb. Instead, he yelled at him while he scrambled to his feet.

“She told you she didn’t know. There is no reason for Kaimi to have told her. She reported the incident to police and hotel security immediately. I confirmed those reports after I had her under protection. There is no reason to believe Laurie has ever had contact with Kaimi other than the day she walked into that penthouse suite. There is no proof, whatsoever, she knew him. But perhaps you don’t care so much for innocent until proven guilty anymore.” Dante stepped between Evan and Laurie.

Evan James straightened his rumpled suit, adjusting his tie. He rolled his shoulders back, and turned his cold eyes on Laurie.

“You know where he took my wife and child, and you need to start talking!” Evan craned his neck to look at her.

“I don’t, Mr. James. I swear, on my life!” Laurie raised her hands, palms out.

“If I have you expelled from protective custody, perhaps you’ll change your answer!” Evan took a step in her direction, wagging a finger at her.

Laurie’s eyes, luminous with fear, turned to Dante. Dante’s boiling temper overflowed. He reached over and picked Evan James up by the collar of his shirt once more.

“Dante! Dante!” Rick hefted himself out of his chair.

Dante didn’t care what his boss had to say.

Evan James’ boney fingers wrapped around his arm.

He grabbed Evan James’ wrist and twisted his arm behind his back. He shoved him forward, steering him through the house to the front door.

Evan cried out in pain.

Dante heard Max and Cheyn thundering down the stairs.

“Mr. Stark you are treading on dangerous ground. I’ll call Director Hilton the moment I leave.” Evan struggled against Dante’s hold.

“Good.” Dante pinned him up against the kitchen wall. With one hand now free, he flung open the front door, then grabbed the prosecutor’s collar, and pushed him outside. “I’ll tell the director you interfered in a federal case, badgered a key witness with unfounded accusations, and threatened the woman’s life.”

Dante lifted Evan as he tripped down the steps.

Rick was right behind them, shaking the wooden stairs with his weighty footfalls.

“Dante, don’t do anything foolish. Mr. James is clearly distraught!” Rick chased after him.

Dante pushed Evan James out to the parking lot, shoving him up against the hood of the car. As Evan James wiggled under Dante, trying to break free, Dante leaned down and whispered into his ear.

“I understand your wife and child are missing. I know you want to find them. That woman had nothing to do with their disappearance. She was in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Moreover, if it were not for her being in the wrong place at the wrong time, then we wouldn’t have even known your wife and child were in Hawaii. Thanks to Laurie, we know where they were last seen alive. The fact that you would come here, as a federal prosecutor, and threaten my witness is out of bounds. The fact that you would threaten me with calling Director Hilton is even more ridiculous. I’m glad you two are friends, but Director Hilton is also very good friends with my father and he insists I refer to him as uncle. So if you think a man who saw me grow up is going to choose you over me, after the stunt you just pulled, you have lost your mind.”

Dante paused to see if anything he said sank in.

Evan James stopped struggling against him and went limp, melting over the hood of the car.

Dante pulled him off the car, released his arm, and spun him around. Dante put his face inches from Evan’s.

“If you ever say anything to Laurie ever again, if you so much as breathe on her, I will arrest you for tampering with a federal witness and impeding a criminal investigation. If you ever threaten her again…well, I protect the witness. I don’t care who’s threatening her. If it’s Kaimi or you, it makes no difference to me. Do you understand me?”

Evan winced.

“Do you understand me?”

“Yes. Yes, I do.”

“Good. Have a nice drive back to your hotel.” Dante turned, heading back toward the house.

Rick stood off to the side, wringing his hands.

“I’m sorry about all this.” Rick squinted up at Dante as he strode past.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Just keep him away from her.” Dante turned his back and walked away.

Dante entered the kitchen.

Max stood by the counter trying very hard to look like he hadn’t been watching out the window.

Dante locked the door.

“Max, watch the car. Make sure they leave.” Dante stomped past him.

Max went back to the window.

Dante heard two car doors slam. He went into the living room.

Laurie sat on the couch, sniffling.

David knelt next to her, holding her hand.

Cheyn sat across from her.

Dante rounded the couch.

Laurie looked up at him, stricken and pale, and he wished he’d beaten Evan James within an inch of his life.

Dante sat down beside Laurie on the couch.

She threw her arms around his neck.

He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back.

“I’m sorry, Laurie,” he murmured into her hair. “I’m sorry he put you through that.”

“It’s not right what he said, Ms. Laurie.” David stood up.

“He just wants to find them. I understand.” Laurie nuzzled into his neck.

“That doesn’t mean he should have done what he did.” Dante stroked her hair with one hand while caressing her back with the other. He glanced up and saw Cheyn’s disapproving look, but he didn’t care. Dante pulled her tighter against his chest as she shuddered.

“Can he have me taken out of protective—”

“No, he can’t do anything to harm you. We won’t let him.” Dante rested his chin on the crown of her hair.

“But he’s a…and it’s his wife and son.” She sniffled.

“It’s a federal case, Laurie. You know this. Even though he’s a federal prosecutor, he can’t just cancel the case. We’re not even in his jurisdiction. He’s just another victim’s family member.” He cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. “I won’t let him jeopardize your safety.”

Relief swept across her delicate features. She let out a deep breath, and Dante pulled her against his chest again.

“They’re gone, boss. I watched them leave,” Max said behind him.

“Good. In fifteen, I need a perimeter check. We’ll do them every fifteen minutes from now on.”

The men nodded. Dante cradled Laurie in his arms, resting his chin on her head.

She slowly calmed. Her breathing returned to normal, and she no longer clutched at his shirt like a lifeline.

He felt the muscles in her back become soft and pliant under his hand.

“I wish I could have told him where his family is.” Her voice was raw and scraped.

Dante closed his eyes.