Every Little Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 2)

And all the sex would have helped distract me from it, too.

“I am definitely going to fucking kill him,” Cooper vowed.

A throat cleared behind us and we turned as Deputy Jackass stepped into our little group. “Try not to threaten to kill someone in the presence of a police officer, Lawson.”

Cooper tensed at his threatening tone. “Are you so deep in the Devlins’ pockets that you, an officer, could give two shits a woman was attacked last night?”

Deputy Jackson flushed, his eyes darkening with impulsive anger that made him look like a spoiled little brat who had just been admonished in class. “Watch your mouth.”

Jessica stepped in between Cooper and the deputy. “I assume you finished what was a thorough interview of the witnesses?” Sarcasm dripped from every word.

“Yeah, I’m done.”

“Well as Bailey’s doctor I will check over her injuries. Would you like me to take photographs for the incident file?”

“Not necessary.”

My friend narrowed her pretty hazel eyes on Jackson. “I think Sheriff King will disagree, so I’ll call him and ask him personally.”

“I’m done here.” Deputy Jackass shot them each a filthy look before walking out of my inn without another word.

Cooper watched him depart with a look of calculation. “I think I need to have a word with King about that little son of a bitch.”

“The little creep is an idiot,” I agreed. “He couldn’t have been more obvious about where his loyalty lies. He has to be taking payments from Devlin, right?”

“Probably regularly,” Jessica mused. “Maybe even passing information to him all the time.”

“But that’s just us drawing a conclusion based on speculation.” I sighed.

“Nope, that’s us drawing a conclusion by intelligent deduction based on fact,” Cooper said.

My wrist throbbed and I rubbed at it, disbelieving it had taken me this long to realize how much it hurt. “Sometimes I really love this town.”

Jessica eyed my wrist. “You need to get someone to watch the inn so I can wrap that up and check you over for other injuries. Why didn’t King send for an ambulance last night?”

“He asked me if I wanted medical attention while we were in the office going over everything, but I thought I was fine and insisted he didn’t send for one.”

Jess did not look happy about it. And Cooper seemed to agree. “This whole thing has been bungled. King should know better.”

“He didn’t do anything wrong, Coop. Don’t take Deputy Jackass out on the sheriff.”

“Deputy Jackass,” Jessica huffed with laughter. “That’s cute.”

I was glad for her moment of amusement because it defused some of Cooper’s anger. Giving her a tender look, he slid an arm around her waist, drawing her into him like he just needed the weight of her against him. And I think he did, because his whole body seemed to relax as soon as he held her close.

Envy spiked through me. I couldn’t believe that there had been a moment last night when I thought I could have what Coop and Jess had . . . with Vaughn Tremaine.

It was hard to imagine Vaughn ever reaching for me just because my presence brought him peace.

For a start I wasn’t exactly the most calming person to be around. In fact, I pissed him off more than anything else.

Stop thinking about him!

“I’ll . . . uh . . . get one of the girls to watch the inn while we check this out.” I waved my wrist at Jess.

Something in my demeanor seemed to bother her. “Are you sure you’re really okay?”

“I’m fine. Pissed as hell. But fine.”