AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Adam Gage, Falls Security. I have a permitted weapon on me,” I rested my hands on top of my head, wincing as the move pulled at the wound on my side.
A young kid approached me slowly and I tried my best not to intimidate him. Of all the people in the room, I was well aware that I looked the most like a criminal. He kept his weapon raised as he walked behind me and tugged my gun free.
“What in God’s name,” this came from an older officer that I’d met a few times on other cases. “Sampson, let the man up. I don’t want to spend the rest of my night explaining to the chief why the rookie arrested one of Grayson James’ guys.”
When the kid, Sampson, holstered his gun, I slowly lowered my hands and rose to my feet. His face was bright red as he handed my gun back and I put it away. “No harm done, he was following procedure.”
“Well, thank God for small favors,” the older officer said, his sarcasm causing Sampson’s face to further its impersonation of a tomato. “Wanna tell me what happened here tonight?”
The question was aimed at me but before I could answer both Turners shouted, “I want my lawyer!”
23
MIA
Checking my phone for the hundredth time, I deflated when I saw that my last five messages to Adam had gone unread.
I hadn’t heard from him since he responded to the picture of Miles and I curled up on his couch for movie night. He’d sent a single heart emoji, it was so unlike him. Granted it was a black heart emoji, but still, I’m choosing to see it as progress.
“Phones away, this is a sacred space.” A tan hand with long, elegant fingers and a diamond-encrusted wedding band covered the screen. The hand belonged to Benji, the co-owner of Sweet Cheeks Bakery and one of the founders of the book club that Gemma had convinced me to join. He was incredibly handsome, incredibly sweet and incredibly outrageous. I’d instantly liked him. Within five minutes of meeting him, he’d invited me, Miles and ‘that sexy grumpy Gage’ to dinner at his house. Benji insisted his husband Mick’s carbonara was better than any restaurant’s and I couldn’t say no. Pasta was my weakness.
“Give that man time to miss you. Then, when you reunite, the sex will be the hottest you’ve ever had.” He dropped onto one of the squishy couch cushions, miraculously not spilling a single drop of the full mimosa he was sipping.
“On inventory nights Mick can’t keep his hands off me when I get home.” He turned his phone and showed me his lock screen. Benji was standing next to a giant bearded man that looked like he would fit right in with Adam and the rest of the Falls Security crew. They were wearing matching swim trunks and though Benji was smiling at the camera, Mick’s eyes were trained on Benji.
The two of them looked really happy and it had me wondering if I’d ever have a picture like that on my phone. One of Adam, Miles and me on vacation somewhere with big smiles and our arms hugging each other tight. My fingers itched to check my phone that I’d tucked into my purse. Then my rational brain told me that I would have heard a text come in and there was no point.
Lily, Benji’s co-owner of the bakery and founder of the book club, giggled as she placed a tray of perfectly iced cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies the size of my hand on the table in front of us. I salivated over the sugary goodness, there were worse ways to spend an afternoon than discussing spicy books and eating treats from the best bakery in town.
“Or just tell him you want to reenact one of the scenes from the book, the one where Scarlett and the Duke got caught in the rain and they have to spend the night in the ruins of the old chapel was Grayson’s favorite.” Lily’s cheeks darkened as she licked chocolate icing off her thumb with dreamy eyes.
“Eww, we’ve talked about this, Lils, no sex talk about my brother or I’m going to have to leave the group. This is your final warning.” Winnie pointed an accusatory finger at Lily, then swiped a vanilla cupcake for herself. “And for the record, the wall sex in the broom closet was hotter than the chapel.” Winnie stuck out her tongue, coated in blue frosting, at her sister-in-law.
I laughed along, comfortable being an onlooker to all of their antics. I’d met each person in the room at one point or another since I’d moved to Little Falls and it was nice getting to know them better. We were at Lily’s home and signs of her family were strewn all over the room. A baby walker was shoved in one corner next to a stack of princess coloring books. Framed photos of her children sat on the shelves on either side of the television along with a glossy bridal portrait of Lily in a stunning white gown.
The home was welcoming and cozy, reminding me of how I’d felt when Miles and I’d seen Adam’s house for the first time. I’d fully expected a bachelor pad, one leather recliner and a seventy-five-inch television, fridge full of beer and frozen dinners. Yet, I’d been pleasantly surprised to find it was decorated with soft, inviting furniture. The walls were painted in gorgeous shades of blue and the fridge held beer but was also full of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat waiting to be cooked.
When Miles had discovered the room decorated with Pokémon bedding and a basket full of what looked to be brand-new toys, I’d wanted nothing more than for Adam to be there. It was clear he’d put a lot of thought into what would make us feel comfortable in his home. I also got the sneaking suspicion that he’d been preparing for our visit far longer than he’d actually known about his assignment. That should make me feel apprehensive but instead only made me like him more. More than like really but those were feelings that were better explored not in a room full of people who knew Adam personally.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Mia. Daisy talks about Miles all the time. I’ve been meaning to reach out to you about a play date.” Lily’s smile was kind and genuine. Daisy was a favorite topic of Miles’ and it would be nice to have more friends who had kids his age.
“Miles would love that, let me give you my number.” Lily handed me her phone and I typed in my contact information.
“Okay, no more kid talk. It just feels creepy with what we’re actually here to discuss. I’m having a hard enough time mentally blocking out the naked Barbie dolls over there. You know Ken was my first crush,” Benji’s perfectly sculpted brows bounced and I handed Lily’s phone back to her as she rolled her eyes.
“Mine was Mr. T,” Gemma said dreamily as she bit into one of the cupcakes. When we all stared at her, she swallowed and continued, “My dad loves the Rocky movies. What can I say, the heart wants what it wants.”
“Aren’t your parents pacifists?” Winnie laughed, tossing her cupcake wrapper at Gemma who only shrugged and took another bite of her own.
“Adam Sandler, I like a man that can make me laugh,” Sam offered with a small smile. She was drinking a glass of water and looked like she was here on duty more than to be a participant of a smutty book club. Dressed in head-to-toe black and intimidating looking combat boots, her appearance had me longing for my own black clothes-wearing badass.
Heavy footsteps broke through our laughter and we turned as a group when Lily’s husband, Gray, walked in followed by Kane, who was married to Winnie. The two men combined with Sam had the same intense aura that Adam often exuded. There was a prickling at my scalp and my stomach dropped.
“Please tell me it’s finally happening and we’re getting a strip show.” Benji threw a saucy wink at the men who didn’t seem surprised by the request. Winnie and Sam made identical sounds of disgust.
“I’m telling Mick you said that,” Gray rose his brows toward Benji who didn’t seem concerned before turning an apologetic smile toward his wife. “Sorry to break up the party, sweetheart, but I need Sam with us. You, too,” it took me a moment to realize that he was looking at me.
“Me?” My initial thought was that something had happened to Miles and I checked my phone to make sure there wasn’t a message or missed call from Liz who was watching him for the afternoon.
