“Back off. She’s mine, and if you go anywhere near Vicki I’ll fucking kill you.” Tristan made the threat while walking back to his seat. Once he was seated he gave Cameron his attention again.
“Okay, I know when to back off. I’m staying in town for the fair this weekend. I think we should talk. Here is my number, and here is the number of the investigator looking into Kate. I made sure to have all the facts before I came here. Let me know.” Cameron handed him several cards. “I’m not here to cause trouble, Tristan. We were once friends, and I hope you can understand that.”
Their friendship ended the night he caught the bastard with Kate. The anger he’d once felt toward Cameron was gone.
“Stay away from Vicki. She’s not like Kate, and I won’t have you hurting her with your advances.”
“For all it’s worth, Tristan, Kate came onto me. She begged and pleaded with me to give her what you couldn’t. I hate the fact I was fooled by her lies. Kate likes to control everything and have everyone eating out of her hand. I lost your friendship because of her, and it’s not happening again.”
Tristan took the cards without saying a word. He waited until Cameron left before sitting back and thinking about what the other man said. Everything spoken about Kate made some kind of weird sense.
She’d always been concerned about the cost of dinner and spoke highly of certain places. Tristan, at the time, thought it was endearing of her to be worried about money. Was it all a lie? Was Kate putting him through some kind of test?
Putting the card away he moved toward the door. He didn’t want to think about his soon-to-be ex-wife. His real woman was outside waiting for him.
****
“Are you sure Stefan mentioned taking me to lunch?” Marla asked. The older woman was biting down on her lip as her gaze kept going to the entrance of the station.
“I’m certain. Stefan likes you. He’s a good guy, Marla.”
“But he’s covered in tattoos, and he rides a bike. What am I supposed to think about that? He’s part of a Bad Boys group.” The worry on Marla’s face made Vicki laugh.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. Stefan and the guys are wonderful. I promise you won’t have to worry about anything. The gang brings in tourists, and they’re really good company. If you don’t want his company then tell him.”
A lot of people got the wrong idea about the men in the club. Stefan wasn’t a bad guy. He wasn’t a criminal. From what she knew about Stefan the guy liked tattoos and riding a bike. He liked to work out as well. She didn’t see anything wrong.
“How can you have a problem with tattoos? Tristan is covered in them, and he doesn’t try to hide it.”
“He’s the Sheriff and my boss.” Marla shrugged. “I don’t know. Kevin has been acting weird around me as well. He’s such a sweet guy.”
“Yeah, Kevin’s got the hots for you, and it’s real for him. He’s working up the courage to ask you out on a date.”
“See, how is that going to work? I’m old enough to be his mother.” Marla threw her hands up in the air and let out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t do this. For a small town it acts all crazy.”
“Kevin would have a fit if he heard you say that. He’s a good man as well. Law Castle is a wonderful town.” Vicki smiled even though her thoughts returned to leaving. Her father phoned her earlier at Stefan’s home to arrange being picked up. She wasn’t sure she wanted to leave. What if Tristan was being honest with her? She couldn’t give up her one shot of being happy.
“Who was the man with Tristan?” Vicki asked, changing the subject.
“Cameron Jones. I don’t know who he is, but Tristan didn’t seem happy when he saw the man.”
She’d seen the anger on Tristan’s face from the brief moment she saw him. Holding their lunch in the brown paper bag, she tapped her foot and waited for her man to appear. Several minutes later Cameron walked out of the office. He closed the door behind him.
“Ladies,” he said, looking at each of them.
Vicki stood with Marla until he was out of the door. Stefan walked through. His gaze wandered over Cameron as he passed.
“Do I want to know who that guy is?” Stefan asked.
Both women shook their head.
“Okay.” Stefan’s gaze went to Marla as Tristan moved out of his office. His hand moved to her back. Vicki liked Stefan’s move. The guy was slick, and from the smile on his face, he knew it as well.
“Are you two going out to lunch?” Tristan asked.
“If the lovely Marla would have me?”