Free Hard Rock Stepbrothers The Complete Series by Anita Lawless Page A

I still stay with you and your family for a little while? It won’t be long. I’ll find an apartment soon.”
    “Of course.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You should probably stay with us until this whole Trent investigation is over. Be safer that way.”
    She smiled back, touched his arm. “Thank you, Hunter.”
    “No problem.” He pulled away from her touch. “I’m sure my brother will keep you entertained.” And with that he walked away.
    ***
    The next morning, things went from bad to worse. Hunter got the call from the Chief this time.
    “Fayette, get your ass outside, now!”
    There was the Chief, standing by the side of the house. He’d parked his car behind a looming evergreen so no one would see it. He was wearing dark sunglasses, but Hunter couldn’t be sure if it was to hide a sleepless night over their screw up or to keep low profile.
    Hunter padded barefoot across the lawn to where the Chief stood close to the evergreen. “What’s going on, sir?”
    Chief Pritchard puffed on a cigar like it was the last he’d ever smoke. “What’s going on?” He sneered and gave an angry laugh. “I’ll tell you what’s going on, Fayette. I had a team head over to Farrow’s little secret house this morning. You know what they found?” He paused to puff. “Nothing. That’s what they found. Nothing. Bastard must’ve seen us at the concert, suspected something, and he cleaned out and ran.”
    Hunter’s heart and stomach felt like they pooled at his knees. His mouth went dry. “Jesus, Chief, I’m sorry—”
    The Chief shook a finger in his face, got so close Hunter could smell the tobacco on his breath. “Don’t you play games with me, Fayette. I mean it. I’m starting to wonder…” His nose hovered inches from Hunter’s and he glared into his eyes.
    Hunter tried to swallow, using a throat that felt like sandpaper. “Wonder what, sir?”
    Another cruel, calculating smile from the Chief. “Wonder if you and Rollins just might be in on this with Farrow, too. Maybe the three of you are trying to make a fool of me. It is awfully convenient how you just happened on that evidence, and how careful you both were to try and deliver it anonymously. Maybe Trent double-crossed you, and you two just want revenge while keeping your hands clean.”
    Hunter’s heart pounded like thunder in his ears, but he tried to bluff aloof calm. He knew he was innocent, and so was Sally. “That’s insane, sir. Trent was beating Sally. You saw the bruises. Would she really be in on it with him?”
    The Chief pulled back, still pinned him with that intimidating stare while he scratched his chin. “You’d be amazed what I’ve seen people do. The lies people tell. And if I find you two are lying to me.” He stalked back toward Hunter, shook a finger in his face, and spoke in a threatening whisper, “It won’t just be suspension this time. We both know that. I’ll see your asses put away for a very long time.”
    ***
    Four days had passed since Hunter and Sally had been suspended. Hunter didn’t tell Sally about his visit from Chief Pritchard, and keeping it in made him antsy and cranky with everyone.
    Over those four days, the tension in the house mounted. Hunter kept pressing Mickie for information. He’d cornered her in the laundry room one day, but this time, unlike when he cornered her in the office supply room at the police station, the altercation didn’t end in hot, mind blowing sex. And even if the sex had been fantastic, she still wasn’t ready to forgive him for the humiliation he’d put her through.
    Crossing his arms over his gray, snug tank top, he’d leaned up against the dryer and watched her sort her whites. She ignored his intimidation tactics.
    “So why are you pretending to be the Chief’s secretary?”
    She cast him a glance, then went back to throwing socks in the washer. “I told you. It’s confidential. Can’t tell you.”
    He stepped closer. “You’ve known me most of