Page 123 of Debt of My Soul

“So, you let me think the worst about you?” I bite my tongue at my own words because despite who he was working for, I lost any disgusted thoughts of Liam early on. His temperament and respect for me—he saved my life at his own expense. So why does finding out he’s on the right side of the law hurt?

Was this just part of his mission? I’m married to this man. Legally bound.

Liam reaches for me again, but instinctively, I back away. His fingers graze my braid before falling back to his side.

“Agent Parker, the administrator is on the line for a report. We need to debrief,” Agent Wilson says again.

Panic laces Liam’s eyes. “Listen, Fleur. They’re going to take your statement and they’ll drop you off at the bed-and-breakfast with my grandparents. Stay there and wait for me. Wewilltalk. This”—he motions around to the compound chaos—“is going to take several days to clean up, and I’ll need to be deposed and report in.”

I shake my head and Liam grabs both of my shoulders gently.

“Fleur, please.”

Two agents step up to me. “Ready, Ms. Jacobs?”

Liam hangs his head, stepping back while agents swarm him with work. I’m escorted to a black SUV, and the door opens for me to climb in.

I do.

Once the door shuts, the clamoring sounds of people and vehicles die. Tucking both hands under my thighs, I lower my chin to my chest and cry.

Chapter 46

Fleur

Idrag the tea bag back and forth over the top of my peppermint tea, creating mini waves that I watch intently. Even when Mrs. Northgate places a muffin in front of me, I can’t look up.

It’s been two hours since I was dropped off here and it’s already past 10:00 p.m. I was taken to the local sheriff’s office where the DEA and FBI had taken over, relieving the sheriff and half his deputies of their duty. I was placed in a long line of mostly women, and after waiting an hour, was finally called into an interrogation room. Even though I was told over twenty times this wasn’t an interrogation.

A female agent, Agent Evans, sat across from me with a smile, taking down each detail I provided. From my first interaction with Darrin’s crew at the bank to the farmhouse fire, Adam’s involvement, Liam’s rescue, the marriage, and my knowledge surrounding it all.

About halfway through my statement, my stomach roared, and embarrassed, I asked for a drink of water. Agent Evans brought me a turkey sub and chips as well.

Tears flowed as I narrated the events of today, and she passed me tissue after tissue as I struggled to detail the raid.

When we were done, she reached over and placed a hand over mine and said, “I’m sorry this happened to you, Fleur. Here’s the contact information for a local attorney. I’ve given his information to several of the women in case they choose to proceed with an annulment.”

Annulment.

I mumble the word aloud as I pick the walnuts off a muffin top.

“What’s that, sweetheart?” Mrs. Northgate asks.

I sniff and say louder, “The female agent mentioned an annulment.”

Mrs. Northgate leaves her post at the stove and comes over to the kitchen table, glancing at where I’m deconstructing her muffin. She taps the table with her fingers.

“Well, is that something you want?” Her eyes dart to my chin, which is no doubt quivering. Tears sweep down my cheeks and I hiccup a sob, splashing my tea with my movement.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she says, wrapping her arms around me. “It’ll be okay.”

Why doesn’t it feel that way? Why does it feel like what I had with Liam is crumbling? The unknown of where we go from here is debilitating.

I jump at the back door when it flies open. I’m half expecting Liam, but Mr. Northgate stumbles in. He takes one look at our embrace and walks back out the door with a mumbled apology.

It wasn’t going to be Liam anyway. He said his debrief could take days.

I allow my head to flop down into my hands, exhausted.

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