Nash grinned at our brother. “Abusing police resources for Roan’s babe? I like it.”
Lawson shrugged, but there was a hint of humor in his eyes. “There’s no parking on that road. It’s too narrow. It could prevent emergency vehicles from passing safely. I’m just enforcing the law.”
“Well, they’re gone now, and they haven’t come back,” I informed him.
“Good. They’re still crawling around town, though. I’ve got an officer stationed outside The Brew, but you might want to pick her up around back. Don’t let them get a photo if you can avoid it.”
I jerked my head in a nod. “I’m heading there now so we can go pick up Cady.”
Nash shook his head. “It’s like someone kidnapped our brother and replaced him with a pod person. He’s all domesticated and shit.”
Lawson smacked Nash upside the head. “Like you aren’t?”
They began to bicker back and forth, and I took that as my cue to leave. I slipped out of the conference room, made my way through the bullpen, and headed outside. It was cold, but the sky was clear, the sun glittering on the lake across the street.
I rounded the building to head for the parking lot, but my steps faltered as I took in two figures waiting just off police department property. I hadn’t seen Steven and Tyson since their episode revealing Aspen’s new identity and location came out. I hadn’t wanted to. I didn’t trust myself.
Now, I knew that had been the right move. Fury surged inside me as I stalked toward them.
Tyson paled a fraction, but Steven? He looked like he got a charge out of my anger. An ugly grin spread across his face. “Well, hello, officer.”
“Hope you’re watching your step,” I growled.
“We don’t need to watch shit,” Steven shot back. “We’ve got freedom of the press.”
“That freedom doesn’t carry to your personal lives. I hope neither of you has made any mistakes. I got a brother who can find anything, and since you decided to ignore the warnings of law enforcement, I’m going to let him unearth everything he can find about you.”
I’d text Holt the second I got into my truck and have him sic Anchor’s tech team on these two.
Redness crept up Steven’s throat. “You can’t threaten us. We’re press.”
I snorted. “You’re wannabe reporters who don’t have real jobs. And that wasn’t a threat. It was just a friendly heads-up as to what’s about to happen.”
Steven surged forward, but Tyson caught his shirt and hauled him back. “Shit, man, don’t hit him.”
Damn, I wished he would’ve gotten in a shot. Because then I could’ve thrown his ass in lockup.
I shook my head and started toward my truck. “Keep him in line, Tyson.”
Steven snarled and cursed. “We’ve got so much dirt on your precious girlfriend it’s not even funny. We’re going to ruin her, and you won’t be able to do anything but watch.”
I forced myself to keep moving, not to give the asshole what he wanted. But it cost me. Because I wanted to remove every threat to Aspen from this Earth—and do it permanently.
34
ASPEN
The bell over the door jingled, and I fought the urge to groan as Janice Peabody walked inside. I’d thought I wouldn’t have to see her for a few weeks after our tiff over how she talked about Roan. But the triumphant smile on her face told me my time was up, and this visit wouldn’t be pleasant.
The café had been slammed all day. I didn’t blame people for being curious. It was a natural reaction. But I did blame them for treating me like a monkey at the zoo.
There had been a steady stream all morning and into the afternoon. They’d order a drink or treat and then blatantly stare at me as I worked. It made me want to pull on a monster Halloween mask and shout boo.
Thankfully, an hour or so after lunch, things calmed down. My regulars like Jonesy and Elsie came in, and Zeke finished his shift. I could breathe again.
Until now.
Janice strode toward the counter, a cat-that-got-the-cream smile on her face. “Aspen. Or do you prefer Tara?”
I jolted at the use of my old name. Just those two short syllables made my stomach cramp and memories threaten.
I did everything I could to keep any reaction off my face. “What can I get you, Ms. Peabody?”
Annoyance flickered across her face. “I just was curious if you felt bad for lying to all of us for years.”
Jonesy lumbered out of his chair. “Janice…”