Page 10 of Trapped Truth

Their home is nothing short of breathtaking. A magnificent, three-story beast carved from dark-stained oak, intimidating steel and polished glass. All constructed in a modern design that wouldn’t look amiss on the page of an architectural magazine.

I know one of Willow’s husbands, Killian, did the bulk of the heavy lifting. He’s handy like that. They finished the cabin not long before Willow gave birth to their son, Hayden, a few years ago.

“A fire?” Ember gapes at the impressive structure.

“Long story. Her road to justice wasn’t so simple either.”

“You two remained friends after the case?”

“Yeah, we keep in touch. A bit like Warner and the clients from Harrowdean Manor. Some cases leave a deeper mark than others, I suppose.”

We both frown in sync at Warner, attempting to ascend the wide porch steps with one hand braced on the banister and another balled into a white-knuckled fist. I haven’t seen him remove his leg since before the raid.

“Shit,” Ember curses under her breath. “He needs to rest.”

“Let’s get this done, then we’ll make him go to bed. Sit on him if you must.”

“Is that an invitation or a challenge?”

She spares me a loaded look that makes my scalp tighten, a slow roll of tension unfurling through my muscles. Those ever-shifting, bluish-grey jewels cut me to the bone.

Letting that asshole Blaine trail ahead to follow our team leader, I snake an arm around Ember’s lower back, tugging her into my side. She collides into me with a hissed inhale.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about how I found you both in HQ’s car park since Warner rolled the window down,” I growl into her ear. “So if you want it to be a challenge, then that’s what it is.”

“I never pegged you for the sharing type.”

“People can surprise you, red. You sure as hell surprise me every day of the week.”

Mouth twisted in a wry smile that pulls the cut across her upper lip taut, Ember’s orbs sparkle with dark promise. “I enjoy keeping you on your toes.”

“That you do.”

I steal a fast, furious kiss then release her to follow the others to Willow’s front door. This place may be like a second home to me after the time I was stationed here, but I need to maintain at least a speck of professionalism.

Beating Warner to it, the solid lump of hewed wood flies open to unveil the cabin’s entrance. It takes a second for my gaze to travel down, too busy staring at the empty doorway in confusion.

Our welcoming committee stands far below my height, hands fisted on her hips and perfect blue eyes glaring daggers straight through my exoskeleton.

“You’re back!” Arianna declares loudly.

The others shuffle aside, leaving space for me to step forward.

“Hey, Ari. You miss me?”

The sassy little preteen narrows her eyes in clear suspicion. “Why are you here?”

“You haven’t changed one bit, peanut. Mind letting me and my friends inside? We’re here to see your mama. Work stuff.”

She huffs, stooping to retrieve a backpack from the floor. “Boring. I have school. See ya!”

“No running, kid. It’s icy out there.”

“Yeah, yeah. Bye Hyland!”

Warner casts me a glance then shrugs, stepping over the threshold into the cabin. We’re not left alone for long. The intimidating boom of weighted steps vibrates through the hardwood, drawing ever closer.

“About time you showed your face around here.”