Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I handed him my license and registration. “Exactly what you asked me for.”
“Please step out of the car while I check this out.”
My temper was beginning to grow, but I tamped it down and undid my seat belt, stepping onto the road.
“Place your hands on the vehicle and keep them there.”
I wanted to throw a punch. Tell him what I thought of him and this stupid power play. But I knew what would happen. I’d end up in the back of his cruiser, handcuffed and on a trumped-up charge. So, without a word, I did as he asked.
I counted to a hundred in my mind over and over as I stood with my hands on my truck while Dan took his sweet-ass time verifying my information. Another car went by, slowing down to look at us, and I ignored them, resisting the urge to lift one hand and wave. I wouldn’t put it past Dan to shoot me for it. He was doing this to cause me embarrassment, but the funny thing was, he was the one who should be embarrassed. I had done nothing except be a little heavy on the gas pedal.
He finally strolled back, indicating I could move. “I’m going to cut you a break, Chase.”
“Is that a fact?” I snarled, taking my cards back. “What kind of break might that be?”
“I’m only writing you up for ten kilometers over the limit.” He handed me a ticket. “Follow the instructions to pay the fine on the back.” He smirked. “Or contest, if you prefer. I’ll see you in court, then.”
I took the ticket, seething. “Anything else?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Obey the law.”
I leaned closer, glaring. “Maybe you should try to take your own advice,” I spat. “Harassing me isn’t going to get you anywhere with Hannah.”
He shrugged. “I had no idea who you were when I pulled you over. I was doing my job.”
I turned and walked away. “Right,” I snorted under my breath. “Asshole.”
In the truck, I snapped on my seat belt, watching him in the mirror. I waited for him to pull out, but he stayed in his car, waiting. I realized he planned on following me back to Littleburn—or at least as far as he could.
I rolled up my window and put on the air. I turned up the music and pulled away. I drove as slowly as I could without giving him cause to pull me over for going too slow. But he wanted me to abide by the law? He was going to get it.
I laughed as he eventually got tired and drove around me, leaving me in his dust. I flipped him the bird and sped up but set the cruise to exactly the speed limit as soon as he was out of sight.
I mulled over what to do, then decided to do nothing. Telling Hannah would only upset her. Fighting the ticket would give him ammunition. I would pay the fine and move on. But I knew I would have to be watchful for him now.
At the garage, I gave Dom his part and headed to the office. Charly smiled at me. “I was getting worried.”
“I, ah, had a little trouble on the way back.”
“What kind of trouble?”
I sat down and quietly told her. Her eyes widened, and she gripped my arm. “He drew his weapon?”
“Yeah.”
“Chase, you need to report him.”
“He was trying to scare me, Charly. Prove a point.”
Her grip tightened. “What point? That he could shoot you?”
“That he is more powerful than me. Which, in this case, he is. He wasn’t going to shoot me.”
“Were you scared?”
“For a moment, yes,” I admitted. “But he hadn’t removed the safety. It was for show.”
“You should still report him.”
“No. He can argue he had just cause since I was reaching into my pocket, even though we both knew I was getting my wallet. And I’m not telling Hannah. She’ll get in his face, and he wants to prove I’m scared of him. That I am not man enough for her.”
She worried at her lip, her grip on my arm not lessening. “I don’t like this, Chase.”
I patted her hand. “It’s okay, Charly. I’ll keep my eyes open for the bastard now. He’ll get tired of badgering me. Maybe he’ll find someone else he’s interested in and forget about me.”
“I’m telling Maxx.”
“No.”
“Telling Maxx what?”
I groaned as Maxx walked in, looking between us. He frowned and shut the door. “Whatever it is you’ve said that has upset my wife, Chase, you are going to tell me. Now.”
His tone brooked no argument.
I repeated my story to Maxx. He was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“I think he should report him,” Charly said to him.
“I think, for now, Chase is right. Leave it alone.”
“But—”
He held up his hand. “Listen first, Red.”
She huffed, and I had to hide my smile.