Page 28 of Crimson Love

Felicity worries her lip between her teeth. “I agree with Blake. That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“I don’t have any other choice,” I exclaim and hold out my hand. “Can I borrow your truck? I’ll look by myself.”

Blake shakes his head and takes two steps back.

“This is all new territory for this town. I’ve lived here my entire life. I don’t remember a car ever being stolen. I guess we had the shooting a few months back. Goodness. Maybe we’re finally catching up to the rest of the world.” Felicity won’t stop rambling. “We’ll help you muddle through. Harold and I can help you get to and from work until you can find another car. I’m sure your insurance will come through, dear.”

Insurance.

My insides clench.

I may throw up again.

“I doubt that,” I mutter.

No one has time to lament the new crime stats for their booming metropolis or run from me so I don’t steal their car to find mine. An SUV is headed our way.

“Oh, bless,” Felicity exclaims right before she crosses herself. “Chief Moretti is here. See? It will all be okay. He was in the military and took down...” She leans in and lowers her voice to a whisper so no one else will hear—like maybe my car thieves. “Terrorists. Or other equally scary people, I’m sure.”

Shit. The police. I don’t need anything to do with them. As if someone taking my car wasn’t bad enough.

Blake looks more relieved than Felicity. He must think his truck is safe.

Well, nothing is off the table at this point. Blake has no clue how desperate I am.

The shiny black SUV comes to a halt next to where we’re standing. I’ve never seen him before, but the Chief of Police doesn’t look like he’s in a hurry. In fact, he looks irritated. He digs around in his console for a moment before he pops a piece of gum in his mouth and opens his door. He unfolds from his car and pulls a ballcap down over his messy head of dark hair.

“I thought you’d come with lights and sirens blazing,” Blake deadpans. “That was anticlimactic, at the least.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Blake. Mrs. Fahnestock.” The chief nods to Felicity before turning to me. “We haven’t met. Dean Moretti. I hear you’re missing a car.”

It’s all I can do not to run for the mountains and take my chances with the wild animals.

Instead, I say, “It’s gone, but I’m sure I can find it. I’m sorry to bother you.”

Dean crosses his arms and frowns. “You’re just going to find your own car?”

Felicity leans in and whispers loud enough for everyone to hear. “I thought we agreed that wasn’t a good idea.”

I do my best to let the chief off the hook. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“You’re new here, so I won’t bother answering that.” He chuckles and reaches for his cell. He looks at the screen before putting it to his ear. “Donnelly, what have you got for me?”

Damn. The last thing I wanted to do was get Devon involved. When I got to the parking lot, I freaked and called Felicity. She brought Blake with her as her bodyguard, though I’m not sure how much help he’d be in that department.

“You don’t say?” Dean states as he rocks back on his heels and stuffs his other hand in the pocket of his jacket. Not that I know any police officers, but I’ve never seen anyone who doesn’t look like a chief of police more than Dean Moretti. He’s wearing a pair of faded jeans, worn work boots, and a bomber jacket. The only thing that hints at his authority to find my car is his ballcap with the initials WPD printed on the front. Even though the weather turned cold weeks ago, I assume he was born with his complexion instead of hanging out in the sun. “Then my work is done here. Once again, I appreciate the five million creepy-ass cameras you’ve got around your property.”

“You found my car?” I interrupt.

Blake exhales and smiles. “And we didn’t have to chase anyone.”

Dean ignores me, but Felicity wraps an arm around my shoulders to give me a squeeze. “See there? I told you there was an explanation!”

“Speak of the devil.” Dean looks past us and lifts his chin. “Here comes our thief in yet another car that isn’t his. I’d know that truck anywhere.”

A bright red pickup truck with black tinted windows pulls to a stop right next to the chief’s SUV. When the door opens, it’s none other than the man I tried to kill right after his life-saving surgery.

Dean rests his hands on his hips and narrows his eyes on Jett. “That’s Winnie’s pride and joy. In fact, Carl always says that she’d lay her life down for that truck. How many vehicles are you planning to steal today?” Jett slides on a pair of sunglasses. “Sorry, Dean. You took off before I knew what was going on. And just for your information, this one’s borrowed. The other one...” Even through his shades, I can tell his stare shifts to me. “Not so borrowed.”