Valentina woke at dawn, her neck stiff from sleeping on the couch, her mind immediately snapping to the ticking clock. Seven hours until Duke signed his life away.
She showered quickly, dressed, and was out the door by six-thirty. The sheriff's office didn't open until eight, but Valentina knew Sierra would be there early. She always was.
Sierra's car sat alone in the parking lot. Valentina took a deep breath and went inside.
Sierra looked up from her desk, eyes red-rimmed, a coffee mug clutched in both hands. She looked like she hadn't slept at all.
"I'm not ready to talk," Sierra said before Valentina could speak.
"Then listen." Valentina sat across from her. "I know you loved Duke. And I know he hurt you. But helping Connor destroy him won't fix that hurt. It'll just add guilt to t
