She glanced past his shoulder at the camera. “Do you want to make it harder on yourself?”
He shoved his hand through his hair, and it flopped straight back into place around his brow the way it always did. “Fuck.” He stepped away, scowling. “Don’t be like this.”
“Goodbye, Carter.” The bottom was falling out of her world, her heart about to shatter into a million tiny pieces. But she couldn’t let that happen until she’d gotten out of this room. Until she’d posted his bail, and then, only then, could she sit back and watch the future she’d thought was hers—living by the ocean, Carter in her life—crumble around her.
Why was it everyone wanted to use or control her? Was it a vibe she gave off? Did she haveweak and impressionablewritten on her forehead?
She waved at the camera, willing the sting in her eyes not to turn into tears.
Carter was silent as footsteps banged down the corridor and the door opened.
He said nothing as she walked out.
“You good?” the officer asked her.
“Yes.” Her voice was tight as she stalked ahead of him. The sooner this was over with, the better.
Leah completed the paperwork and paid Carter’s bail. She wasn’t likely to see that money again, but she didn’t care. Her bank balance was just another casualty in this mess.
Stepping out into the sunshine, she glanced around for a cab. She’d get back to the beach house, pack, shower, and then hit the road. It would only take a few phone calls to untangle her real estate situation, and with a bit of luck, Nick would be delighted to have her back on Monday.
A huge black bike, with ape handle bars and a shiny chrome exhaust, sat at the curbside. Leaning against it was Wyatt. He had his arms folded and shades hid his eyes.
She walked toward him. “Shouldn’t take long for them to process his paperwork.”
“He’s coming out?”
“Of course.”
Wyatt grinned. “Just as well he has a shit-hot lawyer, right?”
“I’m not his lawyer.”
“What?”
“I’m going home, north. This place isn’t for me.” She gestured at the buildings opposite the sheriff’s department. “None of it.”
“But I—”
“You thought me and Carter were a couple?” She huffed. “No, we’re way too different. It could never work.”
“I won’t argue that you’re different. I mean he’s a dirty biker, and you’re all prim and proper and shit.”
“Yes. That.” She frowned.
“Because he’s the devil and you’re an angel,” Wyatt went on. “You uphold the law and he breaks it.”
She was silent.
“None of that matters, Leah.”
“How can it not?”
“Because you make him smile.” Wyatt grinned as if to prove the point. “And I suspect he makes you smile too.”
“He did. Not anymore.”
“Why? What changed?”