Irresistible Forces (McKingley) (12 page)

“He’s not thinking. Which is unlike him. Emotions cloud your judgement, making you stupid.”

Deyon focused on Conner. “From your tone, I can tell you think being emotional is a bad thing.”

“Yes. Practical thinking makes you avoid shit like what Sheriff is doing now.”

“I think you and I’ll get along real well, Conner.” Deyon laughed until tears rolled down her face.

Conner didn’t reply. Deyon calmed and they rode on towards the station. When they arrived, Conner parked close to the door then turned to her, placing her hand on the seat while looking back at Deyon. Absently, Deyon noted her nails were short, neatly clipped with a natural colour.

“The sheriff told me to walk you through as any other perp, but I won’t be fingerprinting you, taking your picture or anything else like that. I’ll call a medic to fix the right side just above your right eyebrow while you wait in his office.”

“What—” Deyon stopped speaking as she touched where Conner stated and felt the stickiness.

She lowered her hand, shocked to see she was bleeding. Quickly she pulled off the scarf she had and dropped it on her bag.

“The scarf would be better on your cut than on the seat.”

“No, it was given to me by my mom,” Deyon stated, then asked in disbelief, “He wants me treated like a criminal?”

“He’s emotional.” Deputy Conner shrugged.

“Emotional my ass. I’ll show him emotional.” Deyon muttered a few curse words in various languages, not even registering what she was saying, then focused on Conner. “I don’t want to be in his office. Put me in a cell.”

“I won’t.”

“Fine, I’ll do it myself.” Deyon reached for the door.

“Wait.”

She did and Deputy Conner exited and opened her door. Deyon got out, head held high. It was early enough in the morning that there wasn’t anyone around. She strode into the station, her high-heeled sandals clicking on the floor with each step. The dispatcher’s gaze widened when she saw her.

“Dey—”

“I’ve been arrested,
Trina. Show me to my accommodations please,” Deyon stated.

Trina glanced behind her.

“Mix up. I’ll put her in a cell.”

“I thought you weren’t going to?” Deyon snapped.

“You want to go, I’ll put you there. Your bag and cell phone stay here.” Deputy Conner shrugged.

Deyon bit her lip, holding in what she wanted to yell, then handed over the items. Conner handed it to the dispatcher then she led Deyon to a cell. Conner put her in then left. Deyon paced, fuming at Leo and his bullshit.

“Deyon.”

She stopped turning, spotting Lis. “Hey, Lis.”

“I’m even afraid to ask why Leo put you in jail.”

“It says a lot that you know he had me put here,” Deyon pointed out.

“Sit. Let me look at your head.” Lis efficiently herded her to sit.

She placed her bag down and started working on her head. “This is a small cut, but they bleed badly.”

Deyon held still as she wiped it. Lis reached for something else in her bag.

“When are you finally going to pick something for your wedding? You’d think you’re avoiding it because you’re already married or something.”

Lis stopped. “Fuck, Leo told you I’m married.”

“Excuse me?” Deyon blinked then shook her head. “Leo didn’t tell me anything. You mean to tell me you’re married and none of you told me?”

“No one but Leo and Jon know.” Lis frowned. “And well, now you.”

The way she said it made Deyon wonder why it seemed as if that was a bad thing. “Why didn’t you want me to know? Hell, why didn’t you tell everyone instead of making your mother plan your wedding when you’re already married?”

“You’ll blab to Rissa.” Lis got a stubborn look on her face. “And I’ll tell everyone when I’m ready. No one asked any of you to plan anything for me. You all need to stop treating me like a child. I—”

“Whoa. Stop the fuck right there.” Deyon held up her hand, moving away from her and standing. She kept a tight hold on her emotions. She would not fall apart—not here and not now. “I’ve never once treated you like a child, Lis. I know your family is over protective of you, but
I
am not like that. Am I?”

Lis shook her head grudgingly.

“As for my telling Rissa. If you told me not to I wouldn’t. You know this. All the times you’ve come to me and we talked. Have I ever broken your confidences to anyone?”

Lis moved her head side to side again.

“You know what.” Deyon rubbed along the bridge of her nose then lowered her hand. “Grow a pair and fucking deal with your mama and your family shit on your own. Patch me up and get the hell out.”

“Deyon, I’m sorry. I was feeling so cornered with everything I—”

“You should be fucking sorry. But right now I have enough crap going on, I don’t have time to give a boo fucking hoo.” Deyon sat down and said in a hard tone, “Do your job then go.”

Lis recognised her tone and did as she’d asked then repacked her things, putting her bag over her shoulder. “De—”

“Go.”

Lis went, not saying anything further. Deyon scooted back against the bed and placed her head against the wall closing her eyes. Steps came towards her and the bed dipped.

“Lis, for fuck’s sake.” Deyon opened her eyes.

She was startled to see the deputy beside her. Conner held out a bottle of water which she took. Conner sat beside her.

“Don’t you have other innocent folks to arrest?”

“You’re not officially under arrest.”

“So?”

“It’s a liability for us if you pass out from your injury.”

“I’m not going to sue you or anyone here for this.” Deyon laughed bitterly. “I’ll take it out of Leo’s ass.”

“That’s your prerogative.”

Deyon glared at the composed woman. “Doesn’t anything get to you?”

Conner didn’t answer.

Deyon sighed then said, “You should come check out my weapons sometime.”

“Nope. Don’t like people.”

“I’m with you on that one today.” Deyon chuckled. “I’m not people. I’m Deyon. Let me see if I can entice you. My favourite weapon in my collection is my crossbow. I had it specially made. I—”

Conner interrupted, “You are a strange woman.”

“Ditto, Conner. Ditto.” Deyon squirmed on the bed settling in to talk about one of her favourite subjects—guns.

* * * *

Leo strode into the station, wincing as he noted the time. It had been over three hours since he’d got the call from Deputy Conner about Deyon. His fists clenched as he thought of her recklessness. Speeding, after what he’d told her yesterday. It was blatant defiance. He’d been headed to the station right away when James had called to remind him about their plans. Leo had planned to take Deyon over to meet James, who had become a friend since Leo went on so many calls to the ranch. He knew Deyon would enjoy visiting James to see some of the weapons he had. The man’s collection was more extensive than Deyon’s. Leo hadn’t got a chance to tell her because of yesterday. Leo’d decided to go over briefly to visit the man. It would give Deyon time to be processed at the station and some time in the cell then he’d talk with her. Maybe then she’d have more sense. He should have figured James would prod him into some hand to hand, as they had been doing recently whenever he went by. Leo had got so caught up he hadn’t realised so much time had passed.

Leo noted that there wasn’t anyone at the front desk. He paused before the impeccably dressed man sitting with two others.

“I should have figured she’d call you, Jon.” Leo glanced at the other two. “Kenton and Carlton, are you bein—”

“You arrested Miss Deyon for nothing.” Carlton stood, his fists clenched.

Leo stared at the young man in surprise. Kenton and Leo had grown up together. Their families were close, and when the elder Rawlings had died, leaving Kenton as Carlton’s guardian, many of McKingley’s residents had helped Kenton while he’d figured out how to raise a kid. Kenton had done a great job—Carlton was very respectful and bordered on quiet. Confused, Leo looked at Jon and Kenton. Kenton smiled that playfully wicked grin that made Leo know that he was about to get him into trouble.

“Let’s explain,” Jon said.

Leo nodded then listened as Jon explained. Carlton interjected as he told the story. Leo realised he’d made an error. He glared at Kenton who still had that damn grin.

“You’re always getting me in trouble.”

“
Me
. I’m not the one who arrested the woman I’m dating and left her in a cell for hours.” Kenton whistled. “You’re losing it, buddy.”

“Christ, she’s making me crazy.” Leo gestured to Carlton. “It is your fault, Kenton, for giving him his own bike.” Leo warmed to the idea. “Yes, your fault indeed. Isn’t he a little young for a bike?”

“I’m eighteen,” Carlton stated with attitude.

“You are?” Leo looked at him surprised. “God, I’m old. Too old to deal with irritating women.” Leo sat in the chair beside Kenton.

“You’re the one who wanted her.” Kenton pushed at his shoulder. “Now go and play nice.”

Leo frowned. “Conner knew all this, but why did she put her in a cell?”

“She asked,” a quiet voice stated.

Leo looked up and spotted Conner.

“Just like her.” He shook his head and rose. “Let’s get her out and give her our apologies.”

“Your apology.” Conner turned on her heel and left.

Although her tone was respectful and she didn’t expand, Leo heard the censure behind it. From the few months Conner had been on the force, Leo had come to appreciate her being such a steady cop and he knew it had to have grated on her to arrest Deyon for a false charge. He hadn’t listened, which was unlike him. Leo knew he had to apologise to her, but first he had to see Deyon. He headed to the cells, frowning at Jon when he joined him.

“You don’t need to come.”

“I need to ensure that my client is being treated fairly.”

“And you’re mad at me too.” Leo shrugged, not caring either way.

“My feelings are irrelevant in this case.” Jon’s tone was silky. “At least your deputy was smart enough to get her injuries taken care of.”

“What? She was injured?” Leo hurried to the cell before opening it.

He studied Deyon, whose legs were crossed as she sat with her back braced against the wall. Leo spotted the bandage just over her head. He went to her, reaching out.

“Don’t.” Her tone was a clear warning and she never opened her eyes.

Leo stopped, hand in the air.

“Jon.”

“Everything is fine. Lots of water damage, but nothing other than that.”

Deyon released a shuddering breath then opened her pale-grey eyes. “Am I free to go, Sheriff?”

There was no emotion in her tone. Leo was ready for her to be furious and scream at him, but this he wasn’t sure what to do with this unemotional reaction.

“You shouldn’t have been here.”

Deyon didn’t say another word. She slid forward then stood, her body almost touching his. She studied him deliberately then Deyon pushed past him. Leo grabbed her on the shoulder. Deyon shrugged him off and went outside to Jon.

“Thanks, I was worried about the store.”

“Why are you worried about the store?” Leo could tell he was missing something.

Deyon didn’t answer him focused on Jon.

“I took care of your car and they will check the brakes. Kenton is waiting to give you a ride to the store.”

“I’ll ta—” His words stalled as Deyon glanced over her shoulder.

Leo shivered at the coldness in her pale-grey gaze then she turned her head, deliberately dismissing him. He took a step towards her, but she was already heading out of sight. Outside the cell, he watched as she sauntered down the hall, her dark red dress moving seductively with each sway of her hips.

“You’re an ass,” Jon said conversationally.

“I know.” Leo sighed. “I’ll talk to her and work it out. What happened at her store and to her car?” His attention was still on Deyon as she stopped to accept her things from Conner who came to meet her in the hall.

“What? You don’t know?”

Leo glanced at Jon. “Know what?”

“Someone tried to burn down her store and from what she said with the car, her brakes might have been tampered with.”

“I’m off duty today.” Leo looked back to Deyon and didn’t see her. “She’s in danger and you just let her go by herself?”

Leo started down the hall the way she had went.

“That’s why Kenton is with her.” Jon hurried behind him. “You know if I tell her, she’ll refuse anyone watching her.”

Leo cursed then quickened his footsteps.

“Sheriff, there’s been another fire,” a voice yelled behind him.

Leo almost told them he wasn’t on duty but thought of the store fire and that many of his officers would be there, limiting the response time to any other emergencies.

“What the hell? We’ve been getting a lot of fires in McKingley lately,” Jon commented.

Leo didn’t say anything to that since it was true. “Make sure someone keeps an eye on her and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, knowing his brother would ensure Deyon was protected. Leo turned, heading the way he came to get the details on the fire before going out. Hours later Leo went home instead of to Deyon’s since it was too late to disturb her.

That hasn’t stopped you before.
Leo ignored his inner voice. They were both wrung out from today and he was not in a good frame of mind to talk.

* * * *

He spent the next day convincing himself of that as he puttered around his house, not really getting much of anything done. Finally, he couldn’t take any more and went to see her. Instead of using his key, he knocked then waited.

The door opened and Deyon leaned against the doorjamb, no expression on her face. Leo pushed his hands into his pant pockets.

“How are things at Deyon’s?”

“I’ve made arrangements to get things fixed. Nothing much to do until then.” Deyon studied her nails.

Leo opened his mouth then closed it, thinking about what to say before he just blurted out, “I’m sorry, Deyon.”