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“I’mokay. Officers, he was the victim. Why is he in handcuffs?” she asked.
“Ma’am, he’s not under arrest yet until we figure out what the hell happened. If you don’t mind going with Deputy Jackson and giving your statement, it would be much appreciated.”
“But Deputy Robinson, Draven didn’t do anything,” Cashea snapped. His woman was fierce and determined to argue on his behalf.
“Miss, please. Allow us to do our job.” The deputy’s voice was filled with frustration.
“I’m fine, Cashea. Take my truck and go home,” Draven said. He recognized the stubborn tilt of her chin while she glared at the deputy. He didn’t want her to be here any longer than necessary. He just wanted her away from this place and home where she would be safe.
“I’m not leaving you. I’ll call your brother,” she said.
He jerked his head in a nod. Ridge would notify their father. Draven wasn’t worried about being taken down to the police station. Cashea was right. He’d defended himself as he was allowed to do.
Ambulances had arrived, and the EMTs were seeing to Brett and his cronies. Draven bit back a grin at their moans and groans. He was willing tobet they would think twice about coming for him again.
“My phone is in the car,” he said. He rattled off his password to her so she would be able to unlock it.
The deputies finally removed their knees from his back and assisted him up to his feet. He stood to his full height and glared at Brett who was sitting on a gurney holding a bloody cloth to his nose. Brett immediately looked away from him. Draven smirked.
He isn’t so tough now.
“Come on, Harvey.” Deputy Robinson guided him toward a patrol car.
The other deputy walked alongside him. They escorted him to the vehicle then placed him in the back. He grimaced at the small space. His long legs were cramped. Hopefully he wouldn’t be back here long. He glanced out of the barred window and took in the chaotic scene. There were plenty of sheriff patrol cars and ambulances. A small crowd was standing off the side of the gas station behind the yellow tape that the police must have put up.
Draven leaned back and blew out a deep breath. His heart was still racing away. He inhaled and focused on gaining control of himself. Heclosed his eyes, and within minutes his heart slowed down. He was no longer a soldier. He no longer had to fight his way out of situations. He was just a rancher. He didn’t start shit.
He just knew how to end it.
Chapter Thirteen
Cashea gripped the steering wheel as she pulled into the parking lot of the sheriff’s department. She found a spot to park in and shut the truck off. She settled back in the seat and blew out a deep breath. She couldn’t believe what she had witnessed at the gas station. It had been five against one, and Draven had come out the victor.
The moment she’d seen the men get out of the trucks, she had known something was about to go down. She had immediately snagged her phone and called the police. Brett and those men weren’t there by chance. Had they been watching her and Draven? Had they followed them? How did they know where they would be? A chill went down herspine at the memory of the men converging on Draven.
She had never seen anyone move like he had. It was like watching a movie. He had been incredible. But his expression had scared her. Mentally, he had gone somewhere else. All Cashea could do was scream at the operator to send the police immediately. The second she’d seen the patrol cars pull up, she’d jumped out of the truck. She had needed to get to him to make sure he was safe.
His feral eyes had swept in her direction as if to make sure she was fine. He was the one who had been jumped, and he was looking for her.
She grabbed Draven’s phone and typed in the password. She found his contacts and was able to locate Ridge’s number. Her heart was still racing. She just hoped Draven would be okay. The deputy said he wasn’t under arrest. So why had they handcuffed him and taken him away?
She hit the number, and Ridge’s voice came on the line almost immediately.
“Don’t tell me you aren’t coming.” He sighed.
“Um, hello. Ridge?” Her voice shook as she tried to get control of her emotions. She reached up and wiped the wetness that suddenly appeared onher cheeks. She blinked back tears that blurred her vision.
“Cashea?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” She cleared her throat.
An officer came out of the building and strolled over to his patrol car. She turned her attention back to the phone. She placed it on speakerphone.
“Where’s my brother? Is everything okay?”
“I don’t know?—”
“What do you mean you don’t know? Where is Draven?” he asked.
