Page 54 of Second Goal

“I’m just reporting what I found. You asked me to look into her past, so I talked to people who knew her.”

I don’t believe a word he says. I know Kiley. She barely drinks, and she doesn’t do drugs. And my stomach rolls, bile rising in my throat at the suggestion that she ever sold her body for money.

“I’ve got medical records too,” the guy keeps talking. “Have her ID’d at more than a dozen methadone clinics over the years. I sent you the reports—”

I hang up, not wanting to hear another word, but when I open the document he sent me, I flip through medical records with Kiley’s name on it, some from this year.

“What the fuck?”

“What’s wrong?” Kane asks.

My mind races, trying to put the pieces together, knowing there has to be an explanation for what Carl found, but unable to come up with any.

I stand and grab my carry-on from the overhead bin. “Kiley didn’t kill that guy. He died of a drug overdose.”

“That’s good news.”

“Yeah.” It is, but...she was into some bad shit. Drugs, prostitution,Carl’s words race through my head.

“You’re upset about something. What else did he say?” Kane demands.

“Nothing,” I lie.

Kane’s eyes narrow, but I don’t give him a chance to ask more questions. I have some questions of my own. Questions that need to be answered.

Chapter Sixteen

Kiley

Snowflakes stickto my hair and Pax’s fur as we walk down the sidewalk. I’d promised Blake that I wouldn’t leave the apartment, and I haven't, except to take Pax for his daily walks. I don’t go far, only a couple blocks, letting Pax do his business, then turning and heading back.

And Brynne is with me, pushing Noah in the stroller, and talking about the art exhibit she has coming up.

“What do you think?” she asks.

“I...” Have no idea what the question was. I’d only been half listening, unable to control the mess of thoughts and emotions that are so tangled inside my head I can’t grasp just one, let alone make sense of them. “Sorry,” I mumble.

“I know you’re worried. But Kane and Blake are going to make sure you’re all right. Everything is going to be okay, you’ll see.”

I wish I could share her optimism. But I know this isn’t over. Even if the big shot lawyers Blake hired can clear my name, Cruz will find a way to come after me. And if he can’t get to me, I’m worried he’ll take his anger out on Amy.

And then there’s Blake.

I’d promised myself and him that I wouldn’t run. And I won’t.

You’ll just hide, that voice in my head reprimands. And I know that’s what I’ve been doing the past couple of days. I’ve been avoiding his calls. Not because I’m angry. I don’t really know what I feel - except confused.

I love him. More than I ever thought possible. But he still doesn’t trust me. And I’m not sure he ever will.

“The guys are going to be home soon,” Brynne says, checking her phone. “How about you and Blake join us for dinner tonight? You can help me go through the listings our real estate agent sent us.”

“You’re moving?”

She places a hand on her stomach. “The apartment is already crowded. And I’d like something a little outside of the city, with a fenced-in yard, and—”

“You’re moving to the suburbs?”

“Scandalous, I know,” she says, chuckling. “But I think it’ll be a good change.”

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