Page 81 of Rhett

“Hi, Bonnie. Can I come in?” I stepped in. She slammed the door and glared at me.

“What is this shit about Nova’s pendant?” She held up her cell. “It’s all over town. Do you really think she could do something like that?”

“No. But we had to disclose everything, Bonnie.” I panned my gaze around, searching for Nova.

“Bonnie?” Nova called, coming into the living room. She smiled when she saw me. “Hi, Rhett. What are you doing here?” She frowned. “Why are you so tense?”

“I’m here to put you under protective custody,” I answered. “At the station.”

Bonnie shook her fist. “Oh fuck no.”

“Bonnie, calm down.” Nova touched her arm. “Let’s hear him out.” She stared at me. “What’s going on, Rhett?”

“Sam killed Henry,” I revealed.

Tears welled up in Nova’s eyes. “Why would he kill that poor man?”

“We don’t know for sure, but your pendant was found at the crime scene and it was clutched in Henry’s hand.”

“But you know Sam stole my pendant,” Nova countered. “It’s obvious that he’s trying to frame me for the murder.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that you’re innocent, Nova. But the residents of this town won’t give a shit about the truth. All they’ll focus on is that your pendant was found on Henry. Quinn sent out a group text to the residents, laying out the details from my report. But I guarantee you, they won’t give a shit about logic. You have Hunter blood, and prejudices run deep.”

“Why the fuck would they think that I would kill Henry?” Nova argued.

“Because you come from a Hunter bloodline,” Bonnie fumed. “Which gives the racist fuckers an excuse to blame you for his death.” She glared at me. “What’s next? Torches and pitchforks on my damn porch?”

Touching Nova’s elbow, I said, “That’s exactly why I need to put you in protective custody down at the jail.”

“I thought we went through this shit once,” Nova said. “I don’t need protecting.”

Turning her to face me, I cupped her cheek. “Yes, you do, darling. I need to keep you safe while I hunt down Sam. We need his confession to clear your name.”

“Bullshit,” Bonnie argued. “If you haven’t found him yet, what makes you think you can now?”

Heat flushed through my body as I whipped my head around to face Bonnie.

Bonnie flexed her fingers. “Some fucking Protector you are. You couldn’t protect Dean, his kin, or Henry. What makes you think you can protect my granddaughter?”

I flinched as if she’d slapped me.

“Bonnie!” Nova exclaimed. “Take that back.”

“No.” Bonnie’s lips flattened.

Planting my feet wide, I stared Bonnie down. “That’s a low damn blow, Bonnie.”

With her chin held high, Bonnie said, “I don’t give a shit.” She pointed a trembling finger over at Nova. “My granddaughter is in danger because you and your pack of Protectors can’t stop a fucking feral wolf-shifter from his murderous spree.”

“Grandma, stop,” Nova begged. “Enough.”

“No, I won’t stop.” Her voice croaked. “He wants to put you in jail.”

“For her own damn protection,” I repeated. “Do you fucking think that I would put my mate in protective custody unless it was absolutely necessary?”

Wrapping an arm around Nova’s waist, I pinned her to my side. “She’s mine, and I’d fucking lay down my life for her in a heartbeat. But you and I know that if I don’t bring her down to the station, residents will tear this house apart just to get to her. Do you want Nova hurt or, God forbid, killed during their wild tear to hand out their form of justice?”

“Bonnie, he’s right,” Nova said. “With me in jail, cooler heads might prevail with the residents thinking justice is being served.” She walked over to Bonnie, grabbing her hand. “I don’t like this shit, but we have to give Rhett time to find Sam.” She made eye contact with me. “And he will find him.”