She worried the inside of her cheek for a few moments before lifting her gaze to Hayes’. “Okay.”
Hayes reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thank you for not fighting me on this.”
“I’m not trying to make things harder for you.”
“I know that. I really do. And I know it’s hard for you to bring more attention to yourself.”
Shiloh stared down at her hands. “I’m sure someone will write an article about this.”
He let out a long breath. “It’s possible it might only end up in the police blotter at the back.”
Shiloh’s shoulders tightened as Hayes spoke, visible tension weaving through the muscles.
The local paper had run countless stories on Shiloh’s kidnapping over the years, including coverage on each parole hearing after. I moved in behind her, digging my thumbs into the spaces along her spine. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not the end of the world.”
“They’re vultures.” And I knew exactly how it felt to have them circling, searching for any morbid detail they could find and not giving a damn that they were slowly destroying you in the process.
Shiloh leaned into my arm, seeking more contact.
Hayes cleared his throat. “I’ll do what I can to keep this under wraps, but it’ll become a matter of public record at some point.”
Shiloh turned to her brother, her expression turning stern. “It’s not on you. Don’t take any more of this on your shoulders.”
His lips twitched. “You sound like Ev.”
“I take that as the highest compliment.”
“You should.” Hayes pushed his chair back and stood. “I’m going to get this dusted for prints. It’s on a flyer, so it was obviously a heat-of-the-moment choice. They might’ve been careless enough not to wear gloves.”
I hoped like hell that was the case and that we could finally know for sure who was behind these threats and send them away for good.
Hayes reached out a hand to me, and I shook it. He gripped my palm tighter for a moment. “Thanks for having my sister’s back.”
“Always.” It was a vow, and he heard that loud and clear.
Shiloh stood, giving her brother a quick hug. “Thanks for everything.”
“You need anything, just call.”
“I will.”
He grinned at her. “I’m actually starting to believe that for once.”
She gave him a playful shove. “Get out of here and go get some donuts.”
Hayes chuckled and headed out the door of the guest cabin.
Kai climbed out of his bed and moved to Shiloh’s side, nosing her for some affection. She scratched behind his ears, but her eyes stayed trained on me. “You okay?”
“You get a disgusting letter, have to file a restraining order, figure out that your name might be all over the papers, and you’re asking me ifI’mokay?”
She shrugged. “You were quiet the whole time Hayes was here.”
Because it had taken all my focus to keep my rage in check. “Just thinking.”
“About how to get away with murder?”