“You showed up unannounced and dragged me out of bed at six in the morning,” Nash corrected.
“You’re welcome,” he shot back.
“Wait,” Sloane interrupted. “You, Lucian Rollins, willingly tried to talk things out?”
His gaze was icy when it locked on to her. “I do when it’s something that matters.”
She got to her feet, vibrating so hard the pom-pom on her hat trembled. “You are the worst person I’ve ever met,” she hissed. Sloane was usually much sharper with her insults.
Sensing impending violence, I jumped out of my chair and stepped between them before Sloane could charge. “He’s got a lot of lawyers,” I reminded her. “And as satisfying as it would be to punch the smirk off his face, I’d hate to see his legal team bankrupt you.”
Sloane growled. Lucian showed his teeth in what was definitely not a smile.
“A little help here, Marshal?”
Nolan looped an arm around Sloane’s waist and pulled her back. “How do you feel about standing all the way over here?” he asked her conversationally.
Lucian let out what sounded like a feral snarl and slammed his chest into my waiting hand. Even after I dug my heels in, he still managed to move me back nearly a foot before Nash pushed his way between us.
“Back the fuck off,” Nash snapped, getting into Lucian’s face.
“We’re about to get thrown out of a kids’ soccer game,” I said to no one in particular.
“So how was the sex?” Stef asked me with a wicked grin.
“For the love of God! We didn’t have sex. We never even kissed,” I snapped.
“So you were just sleeping together?” Amanda asked. “Is that a new thing with you youngsters? Friends with partial benefits? Netflix and cuddle?”
“Definitely not friends,” I said, glaring at Nash. “And unlike some others, I respect people’s privacy, especially when it comes to things they’ve shared in confidence.”
Damn, it felt good to take the high road. Especially knowing Nash’s family was about to pry the truth out of him with a crowbar. That made it even more satisfying.
A barrage of questions was immediately volleyed at the man.
“You seriously just slept? What’s up with that?”
“Does this have somethin’ to do with you bein’ depressed?”
“You’re depressed? Why didn’t you say something?”
“Was it naked sleeping or were there pajamas?”
“Excuse me, people!”
Everyone turned to find Waylay standing on the sidelines, hands on hips. Her team was lined up behind her, trying and mostly failing to stifle giggles.
“We’re tryin’ to play a game out here but you guys are distracting everyone!” she said.
We all managed to mumble a chorus of apologies.
“If I have to come over here again, you’re all in trouble,” Waylay said, making eye contact with each of us.
“Jeez, when did she get scary?” Sloane whispered when Waylay and the rest of the team returned to the field.
“I blame you,” Knox and Naomi said at the same time. They grinned at each other.
My heart tripped unevenly again and I took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly until the fluttering in my chest dissipated.
“You okay?” Nash asked, not sounding like he cared that much. “Or was that a lie too?”
“Don’t. Start,” I warned him.
“What’s happening now?” Naomi whispered.
I needed to get out of here. I needed to go someplace where I could breathe and think and not want to punch stupid sexy men in their stupid sexy faces. I needed to call my boss and quit this investigation. Not only was I basically compromised, the thought of sticking around Knockemout, now just another place I didn’t belong, actually hurt.
“Sit down, Angelina,” Nash ordered. He was still pissed, but his tone was a degree or two gentler.
“What’s wrong?” Knox demanded.
“I’m sure Nash will be happy to fill you in,” I said, then turned to Naomi and Sloane. “You two have been nothing but wonderful since I got here and I’ll always be grateful for that. You deserve better from me and for that I’m sorry. Thank you for the friendship and good luck with the wedding.” I handed Sloane my Bloody Mary.
My heart tripped again and then again. My vision went spotty for the moment it took to resume a normal beat.
No more caffeine. Or red meat. Or man-induced stress, I promised myself. I’d open my meditation app and do yoga after every run. I would practice breathing exercises every hour on the hour and take nature walks. I would get the hell out of Knockemout and never look back.
I didn’t trust myself to say a more official goodbye, so I just started walking toward the parking lot.
“Lina,” Nash called after me. Not Angelina. Not Angel. Now it was just Lina.
I ignored him. The sooner I forgot Nash Morgan existed, the better.
I increased my speed and cut across a now empty soccer field. I didn’t quite make it to half field before a hand closed around my elbow.
“Lina, stop,” Nash ordered.
I jerked free. “We have nothing left to say to each other and we have no reason left to concern ourselves with each other.”
“Your heart—”
“Is none of your damn business,” I hissed.
A series of flutters had my vision going dark around the edges and I willed myself not to let it show.
“Okay. I’m inserting myself in here with great reluctance,” Nolan said, jogging up.
“Butt out, Graham,” Nash snapped.
Nolan took off his sunglasses. “My job is to protect you, dumbass. And you are one point five seconds away from having your face punched in by a very angry woman.”
“I’m not letting you get behind the wheel if you’re not okay,” Nash said to me, ignoring the U.S. marshal standing between us.
“I’ve never been better,” I lied.
He tried to take another step toward me, but Nolan put a hand to his chest.
I turned and headed for the parking lot. I was halfway to my car when I felt attention on me. I spotted a guy with a mustache and a KPD ball cap leaning against a set of bleachers, arms crossed, mean in his eyes.
TWENTY-THREE
TEAM LINA
Lina
Iwas trying to stuff the last sweater into my overflowing suitcase when there was a knock at my door. I would have ignored it as I had all the other knocks on my door since yesterday’s soccer game truth bomb if it hadn’t also been accompanied by a barrage of text messages.
Sloane: It’s us. Let us in.
Naomi: We come in peace.
Sloane: Hurry up before we make enough noise to alert your grumpy neighbor.
I was not up for company, emotional blackmail, or another round of apologizing.
Naomi: I should add that Knox gave me the master key so we’re coming in no matter what. You might as well make it your choice.
Damn it.
I threw the sweater on the bed and headed for the door.
“Hi,” they said cheerfully when I opened it.
“Hi.”
“Thanks, we will come in,” Sloane announced, giving the door a shove.
“If you’ve come to do battle, I’m all out of energy,” I warned.