Page 60 of Deadly Lust

My hands shook. “Yes, of course I know that. Grant, I need you tell me what is going on right now.”

He didn’t answer me and just cupped my face and kissed me. His lips crashed on mine in an urgent kiss. He’d only kissed me like this once before, the day he and Joaquín had left before their first deployment. A kiss to last me through the nights without him.

As if it could possibly be the last time he ever kissed me.

We exited the car and walked up the court steps, Grant holding my hand. The metal detector didn’t beep when Grant passed through, and my nerves calmed a bit. He didn’t have a gun or a knife on him. But he was a SEAL—he could kill a man in three hundred different ways. He didn’t need a weapon. He was one.

Daniel Reed, Joaquín’s lawyer, sat at a table but there was no sign of Joaquín. After an agonizingly long hour, Joaquín walked in. He was wearing a suit, his face was cleanly shaved, and his neck tattoo peeked out from his collar.

He smiled when he saw me, and I gave him a wide smile back. For a moment, I could pretend he wasn’t imprisoned. He was just my handsome brother. He was not behind bars, not in handcuffs. He was momentarily free.

But then I noticed the way he was looking at me. Studying my body. Giving me a slow eye-fuck.

I had dismissed Grant’s theory…but maybe I had been wrong.

Did my own brother covet me?

A female judge walked into the court and began the proceedings.

“For the hearing of The People vs. Joaquín Elías Cruz. Would the prosecution like to begin?”

The DA stood—and then Grant stood as well.

I attempted to pull him back to his seat, afraid he was going to lunge at Joaquín, but he remained at attention.

The judge did not look amused. “Excuse me, sailor. Please sit down, or I’ll find you in contempt of court.”

“Your honor, I’d like to address the court. My name is Grant Joseph Carrion. I was at the party the night of Tiffany’s murder. I was the one who killed her.”

What the fuck?

It was all I could think as the court erupted into chaos. The judge pounded her gavel.

Daniel stood. “Your honor, with this new information, I’d like to motion for my client be released immediately.”

“What have you done? Take it back. It’s not true!” I tugged on Grant, pleading with him to retract the lies he’d just told, but he wouldn’t even look at me.

I caught a glimpse of Joaquín’s face. I knew my brother better than anyone. But the look on his face wasn’t one of relief—it was one of shock.

Holy fuck. Joaquín was shocked by Grant’s confession…because Joaquín knew Grant was lying.

The judge finally spoke. “Bailiff. Take Mr. Carrion in for questioning immediately. Council, please see me in chambers in five minutes.”

The bailiff walked over toward Grant, who pulled me into an embrace.

“Grant, why are you doing this?” My voice cracked over the words as tears stung the backs of my eyes.

“Don’t be scared,” he whispered. “This is the only way we can find our son. You can do this. I believe in you. You are strong and brilliant. I love you. Mitch will follow you to make sure you’re safe. Promise me you won’t lose him, Mia. And wear that ring.”

“Yes. Yes! I promise. I love you! You didn’t have to do this!”

“Yes, I did.”

One final kiss, and he was taken away.

Daniel and the DA exited the courtroom to go to the judge’s chambers.

I leaned over to Joaquín, not knowing what to say.