Page 56 of Sin With Me

“Yeah…that’s not even the worst of it. So it wouldn’t be a healthy environment for a pregnant woman hidin’ out from her cop husband. They’d probably bring him right to her.”

“Oh shit, I forgot she’s pregnant too.”

“Yep…it’s why I was helpin’ her pack when Wesley came home early and caught us. They had a fight the night before and he gave her a black eye. I told her she had to report it, and I’d put her up in my house until she could get a protective order in place.”

“And him being a cop, he didn’t like that…” I assume, shaking my head because I can tell where this is going.

“Nope. He punched me and then threw me into the wall, smashin’ a handful of their picture frames in the process. Then he got in my face and said if he ever saw me in his house again, he’d make sure it was the last time.”

“Fuckin’ hell.” My heart races just imagining what he put her through. “He sounds psychotic.”

“Egomaniac, self-centered, power-hungry prick,” he elaborates. “That was a few days before the Twisted Bull incident and why I was out with a co-worker gettin’ wasted. I needed a night out.”

Wesley must’ve been fuming by that point and used his pent-up anger on Wilder when he saw him get into my truck. Since Jonah hadn’t come out of the bar, he followed me instead andwaited for the right moment to pull us over. He blames Wilder for sleeping with his wife and used me to antagonize him.

“So that’s the real reason he was stakin’ out in the parkin’ lot?”

“Yeah, he probably hoped I’d lead him to where I stashed Raven or maybe try and run me off the road. Not that I planned on drivin’ that night. Either way, he woulda fucked with me in some way if he’d gotten the chance.”

“Oh, so you got her outta there? Thank God.”

“Yep. One of her neighbors heard the fightin’ and screamin’ and called 911. I got the protection order for Raven and me, filed a police report for the assault, and then took her to a woman’s shelter two towns over until I can find her an apartment. I refused to leave their house without her. Wesley was visibly pissed he couldn’t come after me with the sheriff there.”

That’s why Sheriff Wagner said Wesley was already in hot water—the protection order and assaulting Jonah.

That would’ve been good information to have beforehand.

“Good for you. Now I’m glad Wilder knocked him out on his ass.”

He chuckles. “At least he’s suspended without pay.”

“And I’m sure that pisses him off even more.”

“Which is how I know this stunt is all his doing. I took his job and wife away and now he’s tryin’ to put me away. That’s why I couldn’t call Raven to help me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s nearby, hopin’ she came to get me so he can follow her.”

Well, that’s an uncomfortable thought…

I look in my mirrors, checking for any suspicious drivers behind me.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been keepin’ an eye out,” he tells me when he notices.

Knowing more about the details makes me thankful I came because if I hadn’t, he would’ve been stuck there for days, and his sister would’ve been left vulnerable.

“Too bad you didn’t get pulled over in Sugarland Creek. Sheriff Wagner woulda known your history with Wesley and vouched for you.”

“Wesley ain’t that stupid, even if the rocks tumblin’ in his brain say otherwise. I work an hour away, so he had one of his cop buddies from another town follow me. He did it that way on purpose.”

I pull into the impound parking lot and stop in front of the office building.

“I’m sorry y’all are goin’ through this, especially Raven. Please let me know if I can help her in some way. And I’m sorry I assumed the worst about you and bailed at the café.”

“Don’t be. I don’t blame you considerin’ the information you had at the time. I’m grateful you were willin’ to come even when you thought I was a drug dealer.”

I chuckle, my face heating with embarrassment for being so quick to judge.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad to be proven wrong. Hope you get some sleep and be careful, okay?”

“I will. Wesley knows if he comes near me, he goes to jail, so he won’t risk it. He’ll try and find other ways to get back at me—like he did today.”