“Why is this man still locked up?” She asked with a high paced click of her heels on the floor. “I want him out of there now. Unless you want grounds for a harassment lawsuit, don't test me.”
Sheriff Rowland let out a low growl before he unlocked the cell and pulled open the door. “Go on, get out.”
Rian furrowed his brows as he stepped past the door, his eyes falling to the middle-aged woman at his right. “I’m free to go?”
“You are.” Miss Hardy replied with a smile. “We have the man responsible for killing Mr. Benjamin in custody. Or, should I say men.”
“Someone from this…”
“You’re free to go, get out of my station.” Rowland interrupted, a scowl on his face.
Julia chuckled, motioning for Rian to follow her from the holding area. They made their way through the station, Julia staying quiet until he signed out and stepped into the morning sunshine before she answered him.
“They were drifters, nobody with ties to Bel Mar. We believe there is still one more at large, but don’t you worry, we will catch him.” She smiled as they walked down the front stone stairs.
“How did you find them?” Rian asked.
“Surprisingly, we got a tip. When we arrived, there they were with money, a couple barrels of the missing Bel Mar beer and, of course, the murder weapon. I apologize for what the sheriff put you through. The evidence wasn’t there, and you shouldn’t have been held for a crime they had no proof you committed. For that, I am sorry.”
Rian looked back to her with a slight nod in agreement.
“Perhaps it’s time for a new sheriff, one that sees past their own prejudice.”
Julia hid a small smile at the comment. “Perhaps so, Mr. O’Rooney. Perhaps so.”
Just then, Rian's attention was caught on the car that pulled into the parking lot, a smile tilting his lips. Lexi climbed from the passenger side, a matching smile brightening her expression at the sight of Rian outside waiting for them.
“Thank you, Miss Hardy, for getting me out of there and catching the killers. Not a moment too soon, it seems.”
She nodded, hand extended to take his. “You’re welcome.” Her gaze fell to the tattoo on his arm. “You like big cats?” Rian lowered his hand, glancing toward his tattoo. He chuckled before his eyes returned to her.
“Yeah, I guess I do.”
Julia smiled. “Magnetic creatures, aren’t they?” She gave him a wink before she headed back into the building.
Rian furrowed his brows at the comment, her wink. He went to speak, but his words were stopped by the door closing. Rian moved across the parking lot, his arms opened, scooping Lexi into his arms.
Their lips collided, moving together in perfect sync. Lexi wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers running through his hair as she leaned against him. This woman, she was home to him. He loved her almost painfully, he was willing to go into a situation without backup to protect her. Rian pulled back slowly, their eyes connecting as both smiled at the other.
“I told you I’d be home.”
Lexi nodded as she kept her arms wrapped around him. Rian leaned down to kiss her forehead, his eyes lifting to Charlie as he moved around the front of Lexi’s car. Rian stood up straight, Lexi turning to face her friend as he strolled toward the couple.
“It was you, wasn’t it?”
Charlie shrugged with a smile. “Not sure what you’re talking about, Rian.”
Rian gave him a nod and a small grin. He knew then that Charlie could be trusted. He had helped him save Lexi. He had kept and accepted his secret on what he really was, and he had come through with clearing his name. He was a friend to the club, a friend within the sheriff's office.
“Let’s go home.” Rian spoke as he wrapped his arm around Lexi’s shoulders. Rian knew this wasn’t the end, that Billingsworth would try again. That was a worry for another day. Today, Rian would embrace his freedom and his new friend. He would be grateful he kept his club safe, their land safe and most of all, that Lexi was safe. That mattered.
About the Author
Michelle currently resides in Northern Kentucky with her fiancé of eleven plus years. She’s a big supporter of animal rights and mental illness/breast cancer awareness issues. Living with the motto ‘Be Here Now”, Michelle takes every day as they come, something she tries to incorporate into her characters.
Michelle has been writing since she was a young girl, creating new places and characters daily. She has written every genre but tends to favor romantic suspense. She’s an avid writer who enjoys pushing the limits, forcing her characters to go where they might not wish to. She also has a soft spot for the bad boys, allowing them to bring many twists and turns into the story.
Believing love is the ultimate power, Michelle reveals just how powerful temptations and betrayals can be, testing not only the strength in the relationship but the character as well. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying time with friends, family, and pets, or watching anything with Charlie Hunnam in it.
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Other Publications
Entanglement: Book One of Entanglement Series
Half Past Dread
Part XXVIII
Hacker’s Lark
Dark Leopard MC - East Texas Chapter
Xana Jordan
336
Hacker
“And this is why I don’t use a local bank for everything,” I declare, tossing the bank statement to Roark.
He picks up the papers and
