Page 3 of Cautious Love

I wish I could say it was his controlling nature, or I was stuck with nowhere to go, but I think the reality is I didn’t know what to do. I made this choice on my own, and these are the consequences.

Calling Dad isn’t an option, not because he won’t come, but because he has given me everything. But what’s worse is he warned me about Grey. The last thing I want to do is tell my father what happened and prove him right. There’s no doubt in my mind he would drive up here from Arizona and beat Grey’sface in for hurting me. I don’t need my favorite person in the world sent to prison for defending my honor.

Call it pride. Call it stubbornness. I made my bed and I have to lie in it. That also means I have to figure out what’s next. I won’t let this man drag me down further than I already am.

Chapter 2

Ledger

“Inpursuit,suspectiswearing a green hoodie and jean shorts, brown boots,” I pant, running after a man who broke into a house.

“Copy, sending back up,” Ellen says.

I don’t respond as I run through backyards to catch this guy.

A family called 911, terrified because someone not only broke into their house, but was tearing it up.

“Sheriff! Stop!” I yell.

He doesn’t.

Though I shouldn’t be surprised.

I pump my arms harder and make my legs go faster, gaining on him.

He looks behind with wild eyes and mouth agape, trying to outrun me. But he doesn’t seem like he hits the gym every day. The suspect changes directions and I easily follow.

He starts down a street, and I use that as my moment. Pushing a little harder, I tackle him to the ground, and he tries to fight me.

“Sheriff’s Department, you’re under arrest for breaking and entering.” I read him his Miranda rights as I handcuff him behind his back.

He groans and moans, mumbling a bunch of nonsense.

Wonderful, another one.

“Sir, what’s your name?” I ask him.

He stares at me with a glazed look on his face. He’s high as a kite.

I pat him down, hoping to find something with identification on it, but no surprise, I don’t find an ID, but a little bag of cocaine.

Holding the button on my radio, I call in to the station. “Suspect apprehended. On our way back to the cruiser to bring him in.”

“Copy, Luke is with the family taking statements,” Ellen says.

“10-4.”

My suspect and I start our walk back to my cruiser. Luckily, he seems open to cooperation. Last week we caught a junkie that wasn’t high,yetand wanted to fight us. When we finally got him, we found enough for intent to distribute. He must have stocked up and was on his way to partake. He wouldn’t tell us where he got it, even if I know where he purchased it from.

Things keep getting worse in Paxton. Break-ins have increased. On top of theft, drug use, and trafficking. There’s only one answer to all of it — Kensington Ranch. The whole town knows what they do. Yet we can’t prove it. And I’ve struggled to get any form of a warrant because I can’t offer even a picture, or find someone who will say where they purchased the drugs.

I’ve been stuck between a rock and a hard place since I became sheriff, but I’m about to crumble the rock. I’m tired of these people bringing danger to this town, and I’ve made it my mission to bring down the Kensingtons and their growing drug empire.They’ve been at this since I was a kid, and they’ve only hurt people along the way. It’s time for their reign to end.

The barbell clanks against the metal as I set it back in place and sit up, taking the edge of my shirt to wipe the sweat off my forehead. Checking my watch, I have twenty minutes before I need to be in my office for the day.

Luke grunts and I glance at him as he struggles to lift his barbell up. I hop up and get behind him, helping him lift it onto the hooks. He sighs and drops his arms. “Thanks, man,” he says.

“No problem,” I mumble, and make my way to the showers that connect to the main part of the station.