“She calls him Master.”
That seemed to shake something in the big guy.“It’s toosoon.”
“And how long was it for us?I believe I’ve made thisargument already,” a soft voice said.
“Abby,” Jack said quietly.“Baby, I’m trying to look out forher.They have evidence.”
Abigail Barnes-Fleetwood stepped inside the room lookinggorgeous and way younger than her years.He could see Olivia in her mother’sface.Olivia would look like this one day.Mature and confident because she wasso well loved.She put a hand on her husband’s shoulder.“I just watched one ofthe witness statements fall apart.Jack, the one who’s accusing Keane isJessica Fellows.”
Jack seemed to think about it for a moment, searching hisbrain to connect the name.Then he frowned, his eyebrows furrowing.“The onewho worked in the Dallas office?I gave her the job because you felt sorry forher.”
“She came from bad circumstances, but she proved to betroublesome.She was the one who had the affair with Scott and left with him,”Abby explained.“I believe she’s doing this on purpose, but I don’t know why.I’ve been thinking, and getting rid of Keane wouldn’t be helpful if what shewants is Scott back.”
Finally he was talking to someone who was using logic.“Butshe could be trying to get revenge.Although I don’t know why, but I’ve learnedpeople can justify a lot in their heads.”
“They have a video,” Jack said quietly.
“Then let’s watch it,” Abby said, challenge clear in hertone.
“The sheriff said it’s clear,” Jack returned, sitting upstraighter.
Ah, he knew this.Jack’s inner Dom was reacting to thechallenge from his submissive.It was instinct.
How many times had Keane’s shoulders gone back like thatwhen Garrett said something snarky or upended plans?
Damn, he’d been blind.That man had been his top forever,but neither was willing to risk the most important relationship of their lives.Until Olivia came along.At least he hoped Keane felt the same.
“You know the sheriff will do anything to stay on your goodside,” Abby returned and then softened.“Jack, I know you’re worried about ourdaughter, but you don’t want to hurt this young man.You were this young man.”
“I wasn’t tried for attempted murder,” Jack shot back.
“How many times could you have been?”Abigail asked.“Howmany times did you hurt someone in defense of yourself or Sam?”
“That’s not attempted murder,” Jack argued.“That’sliterally self-defense or defense of others.”
Abby stared at him, seemingly at a loss.
But Garrett knew what to say.“Only if the people with moremoney or more power say it is.Any one of those fights your wife describedcould have ended with you in the same place as Keane.With a public defenderwho has way too many clients and only wants to clear the files, so he convincesyou to take a plea for something that wasn’t your fault.You could have beenKeane given the right circumstances.That’s what Lucas saw.That’s why Lucaswas okay with hiring him.He even told us at the time.He said Keane remindedhim of his brother, who is the best person he knows.”
That seemed to have some impact.Jack’s jaw clenched, and helooked to his wife.“All right.Let’s see the video.”
It didn’t take more than a few moments for a deputy to bringin a tablet.It must be nice to be Jack Barnes.It would have taken Garrettweeks to get that damn evidence out of the sheriff’s office.Jack simply askedand it was given.
And it was nothing.
It was Keane standing at the bar waiting.He was right bythe place where the servers picked up drinks for customers out at the tables.He walked up and ordered three beers and then waited.
“There,” Jack said.“That’s it.”
Keane had moved suddenly and his hand went into his pocketand came back out with something.
“That’s his cell phone,” Garrett pointed out.
“He could have the drug stuck there,” Jack reasoned.
But Abby leaned in.“Which drink, Jack?Which one do youthink he dropped the drugs in?”
“The margarita,” Jack replied.