“Damn it, Hunter. You’ve got to let her know not to post anything about you. Not that she needs to know about witness protection, because that’s against the rules, be vague, like I’ve told you.”
“About that…I’m done with it. I’m telling her everything, and Mom and I are not leaving town again.”
“Hunter. Shit,” Marshal said. “That’s not an option.”
“Look, Marshal. Mom and I are not the typical witness protection people, hiding out from the mob and shit like that. And really, the whole witness protection thing…it’s a joke. Dad keeps finding us. You’re not protecting us from anything.”
“But staying in witness protection keepsmeand my team in your life. And yes, we are protecting you. We’re able to use our manpower to track your dad and, don’t forget, it allows us to take extra measures to keep you safe rather than leaving you out there for the local police to help you.”
“Marshal—”
“And, like the Christmas Ball. What you did there, Hunter…I was able to pull some strings to keep you out of it because I’m in your life. And I’m in your life because of this witness protection detail. Are you following me on this Hunter?”
My gut hollowed out. He really had saved the day. No mention of what I’d done made the morning news and then there was the whole not getting locked up for my excessive violence thing.
Shit.
“You’re putting her in more danger by telling her. You should just lay low with her, Hunter. At least until we get your dad behind bars.”
“No. Don’t put any more of that shit on me, Marshal. If Dad shows up again, there are two options. One, you get him or two, I kill him. I’m sorry, but I’m—noMomand I are—done running. He’s taken too much of our lives, and we’re sick of it.”
“You’ve seen what he can do, Hunter. Firsthand. Not to mention the trail of bodies he’s left searching for you.”
“Then find him. Quit pussyfooting around and find that prick. You’re the government, aren’t you? Don’t you have some task force or black ops unit? I won’t have my girl or my mom in danger anymore.”
“Don’t you think we’ve been doing everything we can?”
“No, because he’s still out there, Marshal. How can one man be so slippery that you—or the army—can’t get him?”
I heard him cuss, but he didn’t say anything. I had no right going off on Marshal like this. He wanted Dad caught as much as we did.
“Look, Hunter, I know last night at the ball was difficult for you and your mom. I get that. But let’s not go and make rash decisions about anything.”
Rash. “Whatever, Marshal. We agreed to go into witness protection to testify when you caught him after he almost killed mom. But that wasthreeyears ago, Marshal. Three!”
“No one could have ever expected this from Christopher. He’s a psychopath. A very intelligent, powerful, and resourceful psychopath. He’ll slip up. He’s got to.”
“And in the meantime, we’re stuck here, while you guyswaitfor him to slip up. That’s not good enough anymore, Marshal.Makesomething happen.”
“Hunt—”
“What happened to Angelina three years ago with her attack?” I sat up and planted my elbows on my knees while I leaned forward. I’d said what I’d needed to say about the dad situation. Time to move on. “I’ve been digging around online, but there’s not much out there. It’s like it’s been pulled or compromised somehow.”
“I can’t just give out all this information because you’re in witness protection, and I’m not your research buddy either.”
“Marshal, please. Tell me if the guys got jail time for whatever they did to her.”
“Yes. Two of the five got serious time—as is, they shouldn’t see the light of day until they’re old and gray.”
Holy shit. “What…were they convicted of?” I asked, not sure I wanted to know.
“First-degree attempted murder, premeditation, kidnapping, rape, torture—”
“What?”
“She flat-lined three times in surgery and once on the way. The leader had some history with her dad.”
“The others?”