Adrenaline coursed in his veins. He turned around, searching the area for any movement. Nothing caught his eye except a few nosy neighbors whose porch lights quickly flicked on as their curtains moved.
Bently ran inside and grabbed his keys and phone from the bowl by the door and shut the alarm off.
“Everything okay over there, Sheriff?” Nosy Nancy Plotts asked from across the street.
Why was this happening in his town, and now to his own property? Why would someone do that? He ran a hand through his hair. Plenty of people disliked the police—but in Shattered Cove, things were generally quiet. Well, until recently.
“Sheriff?” Nancy asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Nothing to worry about.”
After dialing Vargas, he called in the incident. He went back inside and got dressed properly before dialing his brother.
“What’s up?” Mikel answered.
“Can you pick me up before you head on over to the bar?”
“Sure, I can’t stay too long tonight though. It’s my turn to put the kids to bed.”
“No problem.”
“See you soon.”
***
Ding-dong.
He buttoned up his shirt and jogged down the stairs to open the door.
“Vargas,” he greeted her.
“Evans. Looks like you’ve had some trouble.”
He headed outside with her, careful to lock his front door. “I didn’t ask the neighbors if they saw anything, but by the time I made it out, there was no trace of the dickhead that did this.”
“I got Lincoln on his way to tow it to his garage. Said he’d have it fixed up quick for ya.” She walked towards his driveway shaking her head. “Any theories?”
“Probably some punk kid who thought he’d show off to his friends and smash the sheriff’s truck,” he said dryly.
“You sure you didn’t piss off any woman in class tonight? Marcy get tired of being shut down time and time again?” She smirked.
He shook his head. “I’ve been a choir boy. Besides, you know I don’t shit where I eat.” Until Belle, I’ve never been tempted.
She laughed. “You, Bently Evans, are many things, but a choir boy will never be one of them. You forget I’ve known you since junior high.”
“I’ve grown up a lot since then,” he argued.
“That’s true.” She eyed him up and down.
“How’s Millie?”
Vargas beamed. “Millie is successfully halfway through her pregnancy.”
“That’s awesome. You two will be great moms. Do you know what you’re having yet?”
“A human, hopefully,” she deadpanned.
He chuckled. “Guess I walked into that one.”
“We find out if it’s got a sausage or a taco at the appointment next week.”
“That’s exciting. I went with Jasmine when she found out with Zoey—it was definitely something special.” His chest tightened at the memory. His sister had been through so much, and now she was a damn good single mother.
“Looks like your brother’s here.” Vargas pointed over his shoulder.
“I’ll see you in a couple hours at the station.” He waved goodbye and hurried to get to Mikel.
Sliding into the passenger side of the truck, Bently sighed.
“What happened?” Mikel asked, backing out onto the street.
“Someone smashed my windshield into smithereens.”
“Why?”
“Let’s not talk about it. I’m already pissed off enough. I just need a drink and to relax.”
Mikel chuckled. “Is it just the car that’s bothering you?”
Bently shook his head.
“Rough week?” Mikel asked.
“That’s the understatement of the fucking century.”
***
Once they arrived at The Shipwreck, Bently found a seat at the bar and Mikel took the one next to him.
“Andre still coming?” Bently asked.
“As far as I know.”
“Good. I got a little something special planned for him.”
Mikel’s eyebrows formed a triangle.
“Mia is meeting me here soon.”
“What can I get you guys tonight?” Charli asked.
“A very large, very cold beer, please,” Bently said.
“Pepsi for me.” Mikel gave Bently a once-over as Charli got to work getting their drinks.
“What?”
“You don’t seem like your usual self. Something wrong? Is it the car thing?” Mikel asked.
“Nah. That’s probably some kid with an issue with authority. Maybe I gave him a ticket or something. Hazards of the job.”
“So, what is it?” Mikel wasn’t dropping the subject.
Bently sighed. “There’s this woman.”
Mikel clapped a hand over his chest. “Thank god. I thought you were gonna tell me you had cancer again or something.”
Bently shook his head. “Nope.” The reminder stung. One more reason he wasn’t a whole man.
“Well, don’t leave me hanging,” Mikel said, as Charli delivered their drinks. Bently handed over a twenty, then shrugged. “Not much to tell. She’s fine. I mean a ten out of ten.”
“Is she married?”
“No. Nothing like that. She just won’t give me a chance. But I can’t get her out of my head. No other woman even sparks my interest anymore.” Bently took a long sip of his beer. He wouldn’t tell his brother this lack of interest had been going on long before he met Belle.
“She immune to the Bently Evans charm?” Mikel smirked.
“Seems to be a bit more than that.” He sighed.
“Why’d you invite Mia, then?”
“To get Andre’s stubborn ass back into enjoying life.”
Mikel glanced up. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
“What are you two troublemakers up to tonight?” Andre asked, taking a seat next to Bently.
“Bent is having a bit of woman trouble,” Mikel supplied.
Andre exaggerated his shocked expression. “The myth, the legend, the man-whore of Shattered Cove is having . . . woman troubles?”
Bently punched his arm hard enough to leave a bruise. “It’s not like you could help. You’ve been a fucking priest for the last year, unless you hooked up with that blonde awhile back?” He smirked.
Andre shook his head. “Nah, I don’t have it in me to take the kind of risks you do.”
“What risks? My heart isn’t ever involved. I think you might be defective—you are the only man I’ve ever known to always get his heart involved when he uses his dick. Don’t you know they’re separate organs?” Bently chuckled and took another swig of his beer.
“I meant risks like herpes, you dumb fuck.” Andre smacked his friend’s back.
“What can I get you, Dre?” Charli asked, interrupting their chiding.
“I think I need the hard stuff
