Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Banes nodded. “Allegra is safe. However, we would like you to make an official statement in the case we’re gathering against Gray.”
“Not if it’s dangerous.” No fucking way would I let her be put in danger again.
Allegra placed a placating hand on my chest, and my worry heightened. Christ, she was going to do this. My stomach dropped. I didn’t know if I could handle her swinging her arse out there like that. This trafficking ring was serious shit with serious people who had probably murdered many innocents to keep it going and hidden.
My wife looked at the officers. “Do you think Gray is going away for a long time, no matter what?”
Banes and Dobbs shared a look. “We have a good case against him.”
“Then you don’t need me.”
Banes frowned. “This man tried to have you killed.”
“Yes, he did. But he’s going to prison for a long time for causing a hell of a lot more terror and pain than what I felt when I went over that hillside. I’m not being a coward or taking the easy way out.” Allegra slipped her fingers through mine. “But my family has been through so much in the last ten years, and if I put my name on that witness list, we’ll be splashed across the world news again. I’m sure you realize who my father is and that the media has a special interest in my family. If my name gets out there, then Ashton’s story will be splashed across the news on a much bigger scale than it might otherwise. He didn’t ask for that. Without his permission to do that, I don’t think I can.”
Allegra swiped at the tears gliding down her cheeks and I kissed her temple again, letting her know I supported her, no matter what. “He will get justice without my statement. Gray will never see the outside of a cell without my statement. And my family can finally try to move on from all the shit that’s been thrown at them for the last few years. It’s not the noble choice, but it’s the one I’m willing to make for them.”
The male officer scowled in irritation, but Banes sighed heavily in acceptance. She plucked a card from her jacket pocket and held it out to Allegra. “If you change your mind, call me.”
“Thank you. And thank you for letting us know about the crash.”
“Will he be arrested?” I growled, thinking of the scum who pushed my wife off a fucking cliff and had planned to come for her again.
Banes responded emotionlessly, “Sutcliffe was killed in a police raid four days ago.”
Good.
“And you’re sure she’s safe?”
“We’re positive no one else was involved.”
I nodded, satisfied as much as I could be by that news.
As soon as the officers got in their car and drove off, I pulled Allegra into my arms and held her so tight, I was probably crushing her.
“This fucking world,” I muttered against her ear.
She ran a soothing hand down my back. “But we’re here and we’re alive. That world isn’t our world.”
I nodded and brushed my lips over hers. “Are you okay?”
“Surprisingly, yes. I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling guilty about Ashton, but I feel more at peace knowing that the man who hurt him can’t hurt anybody else. I mean”—she shook her head in amazement—“I can’t believe Gray tried to have me killed. Wait until I tell Sloane she’s not a special unicorn anymore. We’ve both had hits put out on us.”
“It’s not funny.”
Allegra offered a sympathetic smile, amazing me with how well she was taking this. “I’m sorry. I just … I need to joke about it or I might crumple up into a ball.”
My hands tightened on her arms.
“I’ll be okay. We’ll be okay,” she reassured me. “This is good. We know now for sure what happened, and we know the people responsible can never hurt me again.”
I blew out a shaky breath. “I know … I just … nothing can happen to you, Allegra. It would fucking end me.”
She caressed my cheek, her fingers scratching over my short beard. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m your wife for life, Jared McCulloch. Not just for eighteen months.”
At her teasing, I swung her up into my arms, making her squeal with laughter. The sound warmed me to my very bones. It pleased me beyond measure that I could make her happy after something as fucked up as the NCA visit.
“What are you doing?” she cried, giggling as I carried her upstairs.
“Being a very, very bad farmer.” I pushed into the bedroom. “I have a tractor sitting in the middle of a field waiting for me … but first I need to—”
“Plough your wife!” Allegra cut me off, shaking in my arms with amusement at her own joke.
I gave a bark of laughter as I fell onto the bed with her, careful to keep my weight from crushing her. She spread her legs for me, wrapping them around my back as I grinned down at her. “How long have you been waiting to say that?”