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“What did you see happen to Ty?” the officer asks next.

“Once the two guys knocked Ty out they grabbed the deposit and…went through his pockets."

"But not your guy,” Chase confirms.

I shake my head. My phone was in my back pocket. Right there. My watch and necklace visible. Why didn’t they take them?

“And you're sure he didn't say anything to you? Did the others?"

"I’m positive."

"Okay, what about tattoos? Did you see any on him or the other guys?"

I look down at my hands and falter. “I don’t know. I can’t remember."

Chase studies me, and I fight the urge to squirm. To yell at everyone to go. To leave me alone. I suddenly feel claustrophobic.

"What about smells? Clothing? Were they wearing anything unusual besides the masks? How did they get away?"

I press my shoulders into the pillow behind me and close my eyes. "They had a car. It must've been parked around at the end of the alley.”

Chase scribbles in a small notebook. "Anything else? Shoes? Accents?"

"No. I don't remember. I'm sorry."

"Have you been able to question Ty?" Sully asks.

Chase shakes his head. "He said it happened too fast. He did his best to get to Violet to protect her, thinking they'd take the money and go. He said they didn't, and the two guys who took him down were big and fought dirty, which makes this seem like more than just a robbery."

“A rival MC?” Gabe asks.

Chase taps the notebook against his fingers and looks pensive.

“Could be, but it’s doubtful. The Saints don’t have that kind of rep. It’s worth looking into though. They wanted to make a point, or they wouldn't have been so rough on the two of you.”

I hug my untethered arm around my belly and stare at the blanket covering my feet.

Thad liked to make points. Every fist into the wall, every threat to "do it and find out" returned with a blast of sickening memories and unease.

Is Thad involved in this? If so, to what extent? Why?

The answer comes to mind immediately.

To prove he can.

But the question remains of whether he's involved at all…or if this is me, still letting him have power over me by way of paranoia.

Chapter 27

Sully

* * *

Just after lunch, I get to take my girl home. Breaking her out of the hospital took hours, but we race for the door the moment we're able. Violet grumbles and fusses when I pluck her up out of the wheelchair and tuck her into my truck, and then again when I carry her to the door of my two-bedroom, one-bath cottage.

I know she doesn't need to be carried, but after the terrifying night and the throwback memories of finding my sister murdered, I need Violet in my arms. To know she's safe.

I just need to hold my girl.