Page 84 of Real Good Love
I park behind Julianne’s Jeep, wishing she would have kept her nose out of this. The other car belongs to Memphis Lockwood and her cameraman.
“Stay here,” I tell Banner.
“No fucking way. I’m going with you.”
“Not a chance in hell when I don’t know what I’m walking into. Stay. Here.”
“Fine. But if something happens to you, I’ll kick your ass myself.”
I lean over the console and press a hard kiss to her lips before pulling back. “Don’t worry. I’m marrying you, so I’m sure as fuck coming back in one piece. Pick a goddamned date, Banner.”
I reach beneath the seat, pull out my gun, and climb out of the truck.
Chapter 41
Logan
Ituck my 9mm into the back of my jeans and stay in the cover of brush as I make my way up to the cabin. It’s times like this when all of Uncle Sam’s training comes right back like I never took my camis off.
The yelling reaches me first. A man. No, two men. And at least two women. It’s coming from Nicole’s cabin.
The small wooden structure has a front door and a back door. It’s mostly two big rooms—a living room and kitchen, and the bedroom. The bathroom is walled off most of the way to the ceiling, but open above. There’s a tiny kitchenette along the east wall, and that’s where I head because of the little window above the sink.
The glass looks like it hasn’t been washed in an age, but through the film, I can make out a few people.
What in the ever-loving fuck?
Police Chief Timmons is facedown on the floor in the living room, and there’s a dark puddle around his head.Jesus fucking Christ.If he’s alive, it’ll be a miracle.
Memphis Lockwood is nowhere in sight, but I can hear Julianne’s muffled voice inside the cabin. The man inside turns to the left, and I get a better look.
Rusty Mills?I haven’t seen him since the bowling alley incident with Emmy, the night Banner got punched in the face by Tricia. Rusty has Nicole tied to a chair, and fury burns through me when he swings and connects with her face. Her head lolls to the side before falling limp.
He’s a dead man.
I reach for my phone, but it’s not in my pocket.Shit, I left it in the truck.
Banner’s smart, though, which means I sure as hell hope she’s calling Cody.
A stick cracks, and I yank my gun out of my jeans and whip around to find Memphis Lockwood behind me.
She raises her hands. “Don’t shoot me. Please. I’m just trying to get the truth.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, woman. Watch your step. You call the cops?”
“Service sucks out here, but I think they’re coming. God, I hope so.”
“What the hell happened?” I ask, keeping my voice low and staying out of sight.
“I hid in the woods when I heard someone coming behind me. I thought maybe it was the property owner, but it was the hairdresser. She tried to look in the windows, but the man saw her and dragged her inside. I was more careful. I think Timmons is dead, though.”
I’m still processing everything she said and working out a plan of attack when Memphis’s eyes go wide at the unmistakable sound of a revolver being cocked behind me.
“Put the gun on the ground, and turn around.”
I turn and face Emmy Harris. “What the hell are you doing, Emmy?”
“You’re trespassing.” She swings the barrel from me to Memphis and back again.
