One More Time

“Yes. How can I help you, Officer Childs?” I asked.

“It’s about Luke Thomas,” she said. “I have some information for you.”

CHAPTER 36

RHETT

As I sat on the couch with a beer in my hand, I watched animals crawl across my television screen. There was something comforting about watching the Animal Planet channel. There was something familiar yet beautiful about it, a natural order to things and a hierarchy, a routine that never changed in the animal kingdom. It reminded me of my days as a SEAL, but in a good way. That routine was something I wanted to instill in my life. That kind of hierarchy that came naturally was something I wanted for the life I wanted to live.

But my phone ringing pulled me from my trance.

I knew it wasn’t Tommy because he was out with Ana again. And I was happy for him, I really was, but hearing about how he was still with her only fueled my disappointment and my anger. I wanted both of us to get what we wanted from that cruise. I wanted the four of us to be okay. I wanted to lose myself in Chanel like he was losing himself in Ana.

I picked up my phone and didn’t recognize the number that was calling. I almost sent it to my voicemail, but my gut told me to pick it up. I questioned my gut, knowing it had led me astray when it told me to stay away from Chanel on the boat to give her space and live out the rest of my days alone and tired and sad. But that was one moment out of countless others where my gut had saved my life and following my gut had not only saved my life but the lives of others. Listening to what it was saying had gotten me more rewards than anything else had in my entire life.

So, against my knee-jerk reaction, I picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Rhett?”

“Chanel?” I asked.

“Hey. Hey there,” she said.

“Chanel, are you okay?” I said, my body going on high alert.

I could hear the shaking of her voice. I was shocked to hear her voice on the other end of my phone, but the worst came to mind. Had something happened to her? Was she hurt? Holy fuck, had Luke done something to her? Had he gotten out?

“Yeah, I— I— I’m okay. I just— Wow. I’m sorry it’s so late,” she said.

“I don’t even remotely care about that. But you don’t sound okay. Are you hurt? Did something happen with Luke?” I asked.

“Yes, something did happen with Luke.”

I felt my blood boiling. I hopped off the couch, my beer tumbling from my hands. I searched for my keys as I slipped my shoes on, ready to run out the door. I was going to beat that sorry asshole’s face until he was unrecognizable. I didn’t know how the hell he’d gotten out of police custody, but he wasn’t going to continue terrorizing Chanel’s life.

Not if I had anything to do with it.

“Where are you? Are you local? If you are, I can come to you right now. What did he do?” I asked.

“It’s nothing bad,” Chanel said. “Just some information.”

“What information?” I asked.

“I was informed earlier this afternoon that Luke was arrested right away off the ship.”

“I know,” I said.

“You know?”

“Yeah. Tommy and I disembarked early. I saw them take him into custody.”

“Oh. Well, his hearing is set for next Friday to begin everything. As of now, I don’t have to make an appearance, but they said someone will contact me if I have to.”

“Do you need a lawyer of some sort?” I asked. “Do you need help with any of this?”

“No. I’m slowly sorting it all out. I’m okay, I promise. But I do want to talk to you in person. Is that possible?”