AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know the rules.”
“I do,” I whisper.
“Adhere to them.”
He walks past me and opens the door, his shoes hitting the path. Taking a deep breath, I push my shoulders back and follow after him.
LUKE
I hold the cell against my ear, listening to the ringing tone before it connects and Charlie answers. “Luke?”
“I’ve got something,” I tell him, starting the SUV and driving out of the lot across from the bar, my gaze flicking to the camera that holds all the evidence he needs.
“You do?”
“Yep.” I click my turn signal, coming to a stop at the intersection before putting it on speaker. “Hook, line, and sinker. I’ll email it to you when I get to my mom’s.”
“What did you—”
“You know I won’t say over the line.” I practically roll my eyes. You’d think working in the police force he’d know not all lines are secure. The last thing I need is to reveal what it is I watched happen, then the evidence will disappear.
“Right.” He clears his throat. “Shall I—”
I click end call, not needing to listen to him ramble on. He’s the kind of guy who likes to hear his own voice. I don’t need that shit. Just tell me the simple facts and save what you want to say for when it really matters.
Pulling up into Mom’s driveway, I push out of the car, grabbing the camera as I go before walking up the steps and opening the door.
“Mom?” I shuck off my boots, taking my jacket off and swiping my hand through my hair. “I need to use your…” I trail off as I turn around, first seeing Mom at the table in the kitchen, and then Lily. My palms start to sweat, my pulse going haywire as I step toward her, opening my mouth but abruptly shutting it when I see a man who I know is her dad next to her.
“Luke.” Mom stands up, wiping her hands down her thighs before walking through the living room toward me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. My gaze doesn’t move off Lily as she pulls back.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“I’m trying to—”
“Didn’t I say not to get involved?” I grind out, smiling at the man when he looks over at us.
“Says you who went to find her when she didn’t—”
“Okay.” I step back, cutting her off. “I need to use your laptop.”
She points to the coffee table, spinning around and throwing, “I’ll make you a plate,” over her shoulder.
I feel all of their attention burning a hole in my back, but I try not to think about it as I download the footage and pictures, sending an encrypted email to Charlie before closing the laptop as well as my eyes.
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I take a deep breath before opening them back up, standing and heading into the kitchen.
“Brendan, you remember my son, Luke,” Mom says, placing a plate on the table between her and Lily.
I hold my hand out, offering it to him and gritting my teeth at the look in his eyes. It’s the same look I had to view every day growing up. The same kind of tension rolling off his body in waves that I had to be around.
“Nice to meet you, Brendan,” I grit out, pulling my hand away from his as soon as I can.
“I’m sure you know my daughter, Liliana,” he comments.
I narrow my eyes, trying to work out if it’s some kind of test he’s throwing our way, but just as I’m about to open my mouth, Lily cuts in, “You gave me a ride to school.”
My eyes narrow, watching her and trying to decipher what she’s trying to say. Instead of saying anything, I nod, looking down and shoveling a forkful of potatoes into my mouth as Brendan talks about scripture.
