Page 53 of Unraveled

“Hard to tell. Did either of you get a look at the shooter?”

Carter nodded. “Hoodie, ball cap, glasses—but it definitely wasn’t Kellerman.” He’d looked him up on the website, and the doctor was older and more heavyset, while the gunman had been leaner, younger-looking.

Knox looked up at the ceiling in thought. “Interesting.”

“Something’s up with Raines, I just can’t figure out exactly what it is. His daughter works at our firm now, too. He said he wanted to ‘keep it in the family,’ and it’s been… implied that my partnership is dependent on being with her.”

One nearly black eyebrow ratcheted toward Knox’s hairline. “He wants you to marry the girl to get a promotion?” Carter pressed his lips together into a firm line, and Knox snorted. “What is this, 1950?”

“Things have felt… different over the past few weeks. He’s had a hair-trigger temper, been more of an idiot than usual.” Kaylee had actually avoided Carter like the plague since their run-in the day Audrey had stopped by the office. He was relieved, and he prayed that she’d given up any dream of them being together. He couldn’t tell if Edward’s actions were driven out of a desire to do what he thought best for his little girl, or if he was trying to deflect attention from something else.

Whatever was going on, it wasn’t good. Edward was an idiot on the best of days, but he’d never been as preoccupied and eccentric as he had been recently. He obviously had something on his mind, or he was caught up in something he shouldn’t be. He didn’t believe it was a coincidence at all that Edward’s change in attitude had happened about the same time Audrey overheard him arguing with Dr. Kellerman.

Knox’s expression turned contemplative. “Could be embroiled in something.”

“Anything’s possible. That’s why I need you guys to check him out, see if you notice anything suspicious.”

“Didn’t you do some recon in your day too?” Knox asked with some mirth.

“I’ve been out of the game so long…” It did sound good though.

Knox studied Carter from across the table. “I’m always looking for a good addition if you’re looking for a real job. Get you out of that courtroom.”

“Yeah, I hear ya,” Carter answered with a shrug. “It pays the bills.”

“If you change your mind, I’ll make you a good offer.”

“I appreciate that.” Carter stood, and Knox followed suit, stretching one hand across the table to shake.

“Let me introduce you to the guys before you head out. Most of the guys are here today, with the exception of Roman Incardona. He’s working security detail for Rina Sterling.”

Carter lifted a brow. “The singer?”

“That’s her.”

That was pretty impressive. Carter followed Knox down the hall where he punched a code into a steel door, which opened with a beep. He gazed around the large room as they stepped inside, and his attention snagged on a couple of familiar faces. Jaxon. Luke. Miles Kane, and his brother, Mason.

Carter’s entire body went rigid, but he lifted his hand in greeting. Mason smirked at him from his spot, relaxed back in a chair, feet propped up on the desk.

Jaxon greeted Carter with a handshake, as did Luke and Miles. Knox introduced Carter to two more guys, Aiden Taylor and Zane Callahan. Mason smiled lazily as he climbed to his feet. “How’s it goin’, pretty boy?”

Carter couldn’t help the contempt he felt for the man, but he schooled his expression. He didn’t know if Mason and Audrey had ever actually been together, but it didn’t really matter at this point. He was rewarded by the fact that she was with him now and not Mason. “Fine.”

Mason’s gaze swept over Carter from head to toe, taking in his suit with no small amount of disdain, judging from the sneer on his face. He met Carter’s eyes, and his mouth twisted into a smirk. “How’s Audrey?”

Carter hated the sound of her name passing Mason’s lips, but he’d never let him see how much it got to him. He dredged up every ounce of control he possessed. “Got clipped by a bullet a couple days ago, if you want to know the truth.”

The snide look immediately fell away, replaced by a mixture of anger and concern. “What happened?”

Carter tipped his chin up. “Guess you’re not close enough for her to tell you herself.”

“Don’t mess with me.” Mason took a step toward Carter, and he lifted a brow as his shoulders tensed and his hands clenched into fists at his side. “Who shot at her?”

Luke and Jaxon both straightened in the background, now standing at attention and watching with wary expressions.

“Don’t know.” Carter didn’t relax his stance as he tipped his head toward Knox. “That’s what I hired him for.”

From Carter's right, Knox cleared his throat and shifted his focus to Mason. “I was going to assign this one to you, but not if you’re going to kill each other.”