AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Aren’t you going to say hi?” Adam prodded at her silence.
“Hello, Adam.”
Christian stood stalwart beside her, his six-four frame dwarfing Adam’s five-ten. His gaze bouncing between her and Jeremy’s best bud was evidence of him trying to determine what was happening. No doubt he heard the mocking in Adam’s gruff tone. It was readily apparent, and she braced herself for the next wave.
“Jared,” he said to the agent standing beside him. “This here is Miranda Forester, formally with the Bureau.”
And there it was. Of course, he couldn’t leave it. Always so brash. She’d often wondered why Jeremy was friends with the rude, crass, ex-frat boy, but once Jeremy’s true colors came out—it was readily apparent.
Jared’s brown eyes narrowed, and she wanted to melt into the ground.
Don’t let this happen, Lord. Not in front of Christian. Not in front of anyone.
“Why is that name familiar ...?” Jared said, then recognition dawned on his face, his eyes widening. “You’re the one who botched the evidence in that murder case....” He snapped his fingers, clearly trying to place it. “Adams ... No, Abrams. I remember now.”
Adam rocked back on his heels, his grin morphing to cockiness.
Say something. Walk away. Do something besides stand here.
At least she was managing to keep her shoulders straight, her head high despite the hot shame of embarrassment threatening to engulf her once more.
“Nah,” Adam said. “Not just botched. Outright destroyed and stole evidence.”
“I did not,” she said, finding her voice.
“Oh.” Adam chuckled. “So you’re still sticking to that story.”
She leaned forward, finding an ounce of boldness. It’d been long enough that she couldn’t let this creep knock her down. “It’s not a story. It’s the truth.”
“Right ...” Adam drawled. “Well, at least Jeremy was bright enough to call off the engagement.”
Christian’s gaze didn’t waver, but the slight flicker of the muscle in his jaw spoke of suppressed questions.
Great. Not only did she have to more fully explain what happened with Abrams’s case, but now she had to suffer the humiliation of Christian learning her fiancé dumped her because he believed her guilty.
Christian took a marked step forward. “I think this conversation has run its course, gentlemen.”
Adam arched his brows. “And who are you?”
“A colleague ... and friend,” he said.
Friend?That was kind of him, considering they were just getting to know each other.
“Well, I’d watch your back, friend,” Adam said.
Christian’s shoulders broadened wider still.
Adam opened his mouth to speak, but Tad rushed over in a flustered flurry.
“My rarest artifacts are gone.” Tad’s tone bordered on shrill whininess. “They might as well have taken my home and my car, and I don’t know ... a thousand other things from me to equal their worth. And you...” He pointed his finger at Christian and poked him in the chest.
Christian stiffened, his hands balling into fists. “Don’t. Do. That. Again.”
Tad’s face paled, and he backed off. “The point is, your fancy security system failed again.”
“Oh, so I see you two make a great pair,” Adam said with a chuckle. “On that note, I’d say we’re done here.” He looked to his partner, and Jared nodded.
“Here’s my card,” Adam said, handing it to Tad. “And a word of advice?”
