Ruthless Regret (Ruthless Games Duology #2)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

ZAIN

The guy who doubles as the town’s CSI arrives while Sheriff McFadden is out in the backyard, talking to the two deputies searching the area. I lead him through to the kitchen, point at the blood and broken glass, and then leave him to do whatever he needs to do.

The police have been here for over an hour, but I’m sure if they haven’t found anything by now, they’re not going to.

I now have two broken windows that need repairing, and no idea of who to speak to about getting them fixed, so I do the most logical thing and call my dad for suggestions. After I’m done explaining what I need and why, he’s quiet for a minute or two.

“So, do you have any recommendations?” I say into the silence.

“Son,” his voice has a cautious note to it. “Maybe you should come and stay here.”

“I still need to get the windows fixed.”

“I know that, but if you’re not safe in your own home?—”

“I’m safe enough.” And I’m too stubborn to let people drive me out of somewhere I want to be. “I just need the name of someone who can do the glass repair. Do you have one?”

“I’ll make a call. But Zain … think about coming back home. At least until the police find the intruder.”

I snort. “You think that’s going to happen any time soon?”

“What does Ashley think about it all? She must be upset.”

“I wouldn’t have thought you cared how she felt.”

“That’s not fair, Zain.”

“But you’re not denying it.”

“You can’t expect our feelings to change overnight, son. We’ve spent fourteen years blaming that girl for taking you away from us. Then we get you back, and what happens? She takes you away again. Just in a different way.”

“That’s not what happened.”

“Isn’t it? You were home for less than twenty-four hours before you decided that you wanted to spend all your time with her. I don’t care what you’ve told your mom, it doesn’t make any sense to me. Not unless you planned for it to happen beforehand. Were you in contact with her while you were in prison? Is that it?”

“No, I wasn’t. Why would I allow her to contact me and not you?” I sink onto the couch and tip my head against the back, staring up at the ceiling. “How many people in this town still believe I murdered Jason and Louisa?” My voice is quiet. “How many of them see me, and silently think that I got out on some technicality, but that I still did it?”

“What does that have to do with you and Ashley?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Who cares what they think?”

“Easy to say when you’re not the one being judged.”

“You were exonerated!”

“Do you really think that means anything to the people who were around when it happened?”

Which is one of the reasons I needed Ashley. If she acted like she believed me—the person who shouted the loudest about my guilt—then others would probably fall into line. But if I tell my dad that, then he’ll figure out why I married her … and then he’ll tell my mom. And it doesn’t matter how old I am, that’s a conversation I don’t want to have with her.

“You need to come home and let us help you. You’ve come out of a restricted environment and into a world that has changed a lot in fourteen years. I’m surprised nothing was arranged for you to take some time to acclimate to your new surroundings. You need to slow down and take some time to adjust.”

“Adjust to what?” I’m being purposely awkward, I know that. But I can’t help myself.

My dad thinks he knows how I feel, what I need, and he’s treating me the same way he did when I announced I was buying my first house, and moving in with Jason and Louisa. But I’m not that kid anymore. I haven’t been that kid for a long time.

“Look, can we not do this right now? I just need to get the glass replaced in two doors.”

I don’t want to discuss every move I’ve made since my release. Things have become complicated, especially my feelings about Ashley. I need time to figure out what my next step is.

His sigh is heavy. “I’ll arrange the window replacements for you.”

“There’s no need.”

“I know you want to prove to the world that you don’t need anyone, Zain. But please, let me do this for you.”

There’s a light knock on the door at my back, and I sit up so I can look around. One of the deputies is standing in the doorway.

“I’ve got to go. Let me know when they’re coming out to do the fix.”

“I’ll make some calls and arrange to meet them at both houses.”

I rub a hand over my face. “Dad—” I know what he’s trying to do. He wants to save me from dealing with anyone who might treat me like a man who murdered two people.

“Go and do what you need to do. We’ll talk later.” He hangs up.

Dropping my cell onto the cushion beside me, I stand up. “Deputy.”

“We’ve searched the entire area. Apart from one footprint, which may or may not be the suspect, we haven’t been able to find anything outside. We’ve taken a swab of the blood from the kitchen, and sent that to be analyzed. It might take a couple of days. We’ll let you know as soon as we have any news.”

I nod.

“The sheriff has arranged for someone to check the area every couple of hours, but we don’t think whoever it was will try anything else. Not after being disturbed. If you do see or hear anything out of the ordinary, call the station.”

His words are delivered in a flat tone, one which tells me everything I need to know about his opinion of me. He’s one of those who still believes I killed my friends. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve spent almost half my life being judged for a crime I didn’t commit, a few more months won’t make any difference.

“Thank you.” I follow him through the house and out the front door.

“CSI has done all they can in the kitchen, so you are okay to clean up the glass and mess if you want to.” He walks down the steps to the car, where his partner is already waiting. They’re gone less than a minute later, and I’m left alone.

I check the time. Four fifty-five. I should drive over to Esme Trumont’s place and talk to Ashley.

I need to explain things. First, by admitting that I had no idea that someone was going to attack her.

The hurt on her face when she left is imprinted into my mind. I need to fix it. Make it right.

I just don’t know where to begin.