Page 193 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

“Ms. Thompson,” I clarify. “My father’s…companion.”

“She had a lot of warrants out for her arrest. Several unpaid traffic violations and one failure to respond to a jury summons. That’s just to start. She’ll be held pending arraignment unless someone comes to bail her out.”

I sigh. Rainey. Is she one of the good guys or one of the bad guys? I’m not sure whether she knows herself. I chose not to mention that she held the gun on my father and me first and that she let him lead me to the basement at gunpoint. She’s got enough problems. All I can do now is wish her well.

Miles squeezes my hand. “You okay?”

I glance his way, take in his concerned pale eyes. “Not in the slightest, but I will be.” I sigh again. “I had lunch with Rainey today. She almost had me convinced she was a good person. I’m a detective. I should have known better. ”

“Part of her probably is a good person.” Miles cups my cheek. “I think maybe you wanted to see something good in her. Or more accurately, you wanted to see something good in your father through her. You didn’t do anything wrong, Sadie. You were just being a daughter.”

I shrug and glance down. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I know so. You’re a great detective.”

“I agree with Mr. Bridger.” Reyes offers me a smile when I look his way. “Some of the most seasoned law officers couldn’t have gotten out of the situation you were in today. Especially with a relative involved.”

I nod. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.”

“Is there anything else you need, Officer?” Miles asks. “Because if there isn’t, I’d like to get this lady home.”

“I think that’s good for now. I’ll need you both to be available for questioning as necessary.”

“Absolutely. Whatever you need.” Miles pulls me to my feet. “Let’s get out of here, baby.”

29

MILES

Holy shit. I think I aged ten years in the past two hours. Sadie can take care of herself. I’ve only known her a few days and she’s done a good job so far, but shit… Dealing with a deranged, gun-wielding father and then shooting him to save herself?

Yeah, ten years.

I’m glad the fucker’s going to jail. And staying there. Same goes for his crazy bitch girlfriend. I should be glad that we learned more about Joey’s connection to my father because of our visit and garage hunting, but to have her almost killed? Not worth it.

Peterson can do his own fucking job.

We pull in front of the house and I shut off the engine. She’s been quiet all this way and I haven’t pushed her to talk. Processing everything and dealing with a fucked-up family is a lot. I’m here for her though. No chance in hell she’s dealing with this alone.

Nothing’s actually been resolved with Jonathan’s past actions, her brother ending up dead on our land, the freezing of Bridger funds. Any of it. Jonathan’s dead. So is Joey Hopkins. But Sadie’s alive and I’m going to remind her of that.

“Come on, baby.”

She looks my way and nods.

I go around the truck and open her door. Help her down. Keep my hands on her hips and her eyes lift to meet mine.

“When I want to clear my head, I go for a ride. That’s how I first met you.”

The corner of her mouth tips up.

“I was pissed about everything going on here and got on my bike. Found a random bar. Found a random woman who wanted to give me her panties.”

“You still have them, you know,” she says grumpily.

“Oh, I know. You’re not getting them back either.” I laugh. “But even if I hadn’t gone on that ride, we’d have met anyway, you know.”

She pauses, thinks it through. “Right, I was here the next morning.”