I traced my finger along the ridges and swirls of the table’s grain. “I thought they had, too. He confessed.”
Parker made a humming noise in the back of his throat. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone messed-up in the head confessed to something they didn’t do.”
“I guess that’s true enough.”
He looked me in the eye. “I have to ask where you were last night, Brody.”
I knew it was coming, but it stung nonetheless. I’d had to answer a million questions asked by the cops in New York until they were finally able to clear me. I understood the need for it, but that didn’t mean it didn’t piss me off.
“Seriously, Sheriff?” Shay barked. “Brody has been targeted. It’s been proven. Someone is twisting the thing he loves most in the world. And now you show up asking him where he was?”
I squeezed her knee. “It’s okay.” Something about Shay jumping to my defense made it just that: okay. I turned back to Parker. “I was here all night. I don’t have anyone to really corroborate that—”
“Yes, you do,” Shay piped in. “I’ve had the keys to the boat for the last week. So, unless he swam to shore, Brody’s been here.”
Parker nodded. “That helps.”
“But I could’ve paid someone to pick me up.”
“Bullshit,” Shay said. “I sleep light. Always have. I would’ve heard a boat coming up to the dock and leaving.”
“Wait,” I cut in. “I have the security tapes.”
Parker’s brows rose. “Tapes?”
“Well, digital recordings. I had some cameras put in a few weeks ago. There’s one at the dock. Above my front door, the back of the main house, and on the rest of the buildings on the island, as well. I can give you my security company’s name. They can send the files to you. I think they keep the footage for at least thirty days. Or, I can log in from here if you’ll trust that.”
Parker let out a breath. “Thank God. Not to be a prick, but you’re new around here, and I know folks will want to point the finger at you before they’re willing to look at one of their own.”
“I get it. I really do. But I might’ve brought this trouble to your doorstep just the same.” Guilt gnawed at my belly, burrowing deep and making itself at home.
Parker’s expression hardened. “This isn’t on you. And someone using your work to create pain and suffering pisses me right the hell off. We don’t know each other, but I look out for the residents of this county. I’ll do everything I can to find this sonofabitch.”
His vow should’ve made me feel better. And maybe Parker would find whoever had done this. But I couldn’t help but wonder if that only meant there’d be space for someone else to pick up the mantle.
23
Shay
Brody stared off into space as he half-heartedly poked at his dinner. He’d been like this ever since Parker had taken off. I hated everything about it. This sedated version of a man who was usually so vibrant and full of life.
I’d done what I could to bring him out of it. To be a comfort. I hadn’t shied away from his holding me, the brush of his hands, even though they were as dangerous to me as walking through a minefield without a map. Dangerous for my heart currently heading towards a cliff with a lethal drop-off. But when I knew Brody needed me, someone to tether him to the present, I couldn’t resist.
“What do you think? Yahtzee or a movie?” I asked.
“Huh?” Brody said as if just realizing I was there.
“Yahtzee or a movie when we finish dinner?”
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I’m not really in the mood for either.”
I set down my fork and scooted around the breakfast nook’s banquette so I was right next to him. I laced my fingers with Brody’s under the table. His palms were rough, his fingers callused. But the coarse skin only made him seem more real. “I’m worried about you. I want to help, but I don’t know if what I’m doing is making things worse—”
“Stay.” Brody’s gaze locked with mine. “Stay with me tonight.” My muscles locked. “Just to sleep. I need to feel you next to me. To know you’re safe. That I’m not alone in this. That I’m not going to drown in pain and death.”
“I’ll stay.”
He leaned forward, his movements slow, and pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. It was the barest brush of touch, but it stoked a fire somewhere deep. And as he pulled away, my body made a move to follow, wanting more, wanting…everything. I blinked, trying to clear that pull. When I took in Brody again, he was grinning. I glared at him. “It’s not nice to be so cocky.”
He gave me another quick kiss, this time to my forehead. “I like knowing I affect you.”
“Maybe it’s just that it’s been a long time for me. Maybe anyone’s lips near mine would have the same effect.”
That grin slipped right off Brody’s face, replaced by a scowl. “Not cool.”
I chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to his jaw before scooting around and out of the nook. “Fine. Your lips are the eighth wonder of the world, and I’m powerless against them.”
“That’s better,” he said, pushing to his feet to help me clear the table.
It was a little too accurate for my peace of mind. Brody’s mouth made me reckless. The only thing I wanted to do was give myself over to it. To know what it would feel like places other than my lips. And that made me more than a little dumb.
We moved in tandem, following the silent rhythm we’d developed over the past couple of months. It was comforting, that quiet dance. It carried with it the recognition that someone knew me. My patterns and the way I moved through life. Even if that was only how I liked to load the dishwasher or where I kept my favorite paring knife. It wrapped around me like a warm embrace that I never wanted to leave.
Brody came up behind me, his hands going to my shoulders, massaging lightly. “I’m beat.”
I was, too. We’d eaten way too late after I’d had to move my morning chores to the afternoon, forcing Brody along for the ride simply because I didn’t want him out of my sight. “I could sleep.” At least, I hoped. I couldn’t imagine relaxing enough to slip into unconsciousness, not with Brody right next to me.
He gave my hand a tug. “Let’s go.”
We headed for the stairs, and when we reached the top, I made my way to the guest room where I’d taken to keeping a few things. Mostly sweats so I could be comfortable on our game and movie nights. But my lone pair of flannel pajamas were still in the top drawer from when I’d slept in this room before.
I moved through my nightly routine, washing my face and brushing my teeth. I was more thorough than I’d ever been before, flossing twice and rubbing in my moisturizer for a full two minutes. The longer I took, the tighter the knot in my stomach grew. By the time I started towards the master bedroom, I thought I might throw up.
Brody looked up when I reached the door. He was already in bed, only the one bedside lamp on, casting the room in a warm glow. I took a deep breath, but it rattled in my lungs. Just sleep. I started towards the opposite side of the bed. Brody pulled the covers back for me. “I was starting to think you’d reconsidered.”