Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

DEVIN

“I ’m sorry about all of this,” Sheriff Jill King says as she leads me out of the holding room. “You’re well within your rights to file a complaint against the officer that arrested you, but just so you know, he’s been fired. You can still file a formal complaint against the station, and I’d be happy to take that for you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I say as my lawyer approaches.

“Are you sure about that?” Marcus Xander asks me quietly. He’s not only my lawyer but a longtime friend of the family, and I know he’s trying to cover my ass.

“I’m sure,” I tell him.

“And just so you know, I’ve issued a warrant request to the judge for the arrest of Mary Singer and Davis Wagner. It probably won’t go through until the morning. When he’s had a chance to sober up.” Sheriff King mumbles the last part. “The two of them conspired to get you arrested and then she filed a false police report. That behavior isn’t going unpunished on my watch. Not for either of them.”

“Thank you, Sheriff,” Marcus says, and they shake hands. “Keep me updated. My client is happy to cooperate as needed.”

“On behalf of the Mittenville Police Department, I apologize,” Sheriff King says to me.

“I appreciate that, and I’m glad it’s handled.” I nod to the front of the station where Joy is waiting. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got more important things to get to.”

Of course I want to make sure that everyone is doing the right thing and that they are being punished for their crimes. Mostly, I wanted to make sure that Davis was stripped of his power and no longer in a position of authority where he could do anything like this ever again. He won’t be able to work in Mittenville anymore, but what he did tonight will be on his record forever. It will follow him if he tries to go to another town. And I really wanted Joy's aunt to get what was coming to her. What she did was monstrous, and I want her as far away from Joy as possible.

“Devin!” Joy shouts when she sees me and comes running in my direction.

I open my arms, and when she leaps into them, I bury my face in her neck. “Hey, bunny. Miss me?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” She pulls back to look at my face, and I can see the sadness in her eyes. “I’ve been nothing but drama and?—”

“Shut up and kiss me,” I tell her, cutting her off. Then I can’t wait for her to realize what I’ve said, and I’m the one doing the kissing.

When my lips touch hers, I become possessive to the point that I want the whole fucking world to know she’s mine. She relaxes in my arms, and I taste her, needing to be as close as possible.

Someone near us clears their throat, and I’m reminded that we’re not alone. I release the grip I have on her ass and slowly put her on her feet. Joy blinks for a second, dizzy from the heat of our connection, but I hold on to her so she doesn’t fall.

“Now it makes sense,” says a small woman with curly hair standing next to us. “I’m Bronte, by the way. I’m with her.” She points her thumb at Joy, who is blushing all the way down to her chest.

“Yeah, I brought backup,” Joy says. “I didn’t know you already had a lawyer.”

“The more the merrier.” I pat her ass and tug her even closer. “Thanks for looking out for me. Let’s get out of here.”

“Oh, we need to give Bronte a ride home. I might have driven your truck here.” Joy grins as I give her another quick kiss.

“No problem.”

“I’ll take her home,” Marcus says and then steps forward, not waiting for anyone to argue with him. “Let’s go, teapot.”

“Don’t call me that!” Bronte shouts and stomps her foot, but she’s so small her anger is kind of funny.

“Wait, teapot?” Joy asks and looks at Bronte.

“Because I’m short and stout,” Bronte says and purses her lips.

“No.” Marcus smirks and then slides his hand around her upper arm. “It’s because when you get all steamed up, you shout. Now let’s give these two lovebirds some alone time. Or do you want me to tip you over?”

“I’m not going?—”

Her words are cut off as he easily leads her out of the police station and to his car at the curb.

“I’m guessing she’s going to be okay?” Joy looks at me, and I shrug.

“I know where he lives if we need to check up on her.” I place a kiss on her temple because I can’t stop putting my mouth on her. “You got the keys?”

“Here.” She holds them out for me, but I shake my head.

“No way, I have to see you behind the wheel.” I’m smiling ear to ear as I tug her out of the station and over to the truck.

Marcus and Bronte are already gone, but I’ll think about them later. Right now, I’ve got one thing on my mind, and it’s getting Joy home. And in my bed.