Page 72 of Ice Cold Liar

“I know,” Hunter said from the porch when Eb approached him.“It’s a lot, ostentatious as hell, but the owner is a friend of Declan’s, and I can guarantee you that it has the best tech in the world.Cameras all around the property.Locks that no one can pick, not even your talented self.A security system that was installed by the infamous Wilde group.If you want safety, you’ve come to the right place.”

He grunted.Safety wasn’t what he wanted.He wanted Naomi.Only he didn’t see her.

“She’s inside.”Hunter jerked his thumb over his shoulder.“Her and the dog.The lady marched in without a word, with that dog of hers right at her side.Figured I’d stay out here so you and I could talk.”

Fabulous.He climbed up the two steps that led to the porch.

Hunter immediately blocked his path.“Looks like that master plan of yours didn’t go so well.”

“She knows I came to take her down.”

“Uh, huh.Figured that.At what point did you decidethrowing her over your shoulderwas the way to go?Truly curious about that one.I wrongly thought you were the level-headed twin.”

Hell, no.He wasn’t.Definitely not level-headed when it came to Naomi.

“Or, at least, I assumed you were the one not likely to commit a kidnapping with cops just watching.”

Eb’s hand rasped over his jaw—and the stubble growing there.“I’m trying to protect her.”

“That what you’re doing now?I thought you were trying to get her tossed into a cell.Or are we multi-tasking?Protecting herandgetting her locked away?Hey, maybe she’ll besafelocked away!Is that the thought process you’re having?”

“Hunter…”

“Or have you decided that she’s innocent?”

The front door opened.Naomi stood there, and the breeze hit her, coming from those trees with their swaying moss and sending her hair blowing gently.He drank her in.The fury in her eyes—he understood that.But it was the pain he saw that gutted him.He’dhurther.And you could only be hurt if you cared.

When had Naomi started to care for him?

He’d been wrong about her.She wasn’t cold.He was starting to think that Naomi might feel far too much.She tried to put up a wall of ice between herself and the rest of the world because she needed a shield to block others.Only he’d smashed that weak shield to pieces.

“I don’t think she’s innocent,” he said the words deliberately.Naomi had chosen Hunter because she wanted honesty.Fine.He’d give her honesty.Not like she could hate him more than she already did.

Or, hell, maybe she could?

Her chin notched up at his words.

“I don’t think she’s innocent,” he continued because he truly did think she’d killed Hudson.But he also… “I think Hudson might be guilty.”

Guilty as hell.

“Yeah, me, too,” Hunter revealed.“And so does the guy waiting inside.”

Wait.Hold the hell up.Some guy was waiting inside?There was no other car near the house.

“Memphis Camden,” Hunter revealed.“Former bounty hunter.Current Ice Breaker, cold case solver.I believe you wanted your sister to arrange a meet and greet with him?Well, consider it arranged.”

Damn.Someone had sure moved fast.

“You’ll have to thank her ridiculously wealthy husband for Memphis’s private flight over from Texas.And my flight, too, because Declan wanted you to have backup on the ground, ASAP.”

“Declan’s your best friend.”

“He’s a pain in the ass most days, but he can also sure come in handy.I think we can both agree on that score.”

A man appeared behind Naomi in the doorway.Tall.About Eb’s own height.Dark hair.Calculating gaze.Intense attitude.

“You’re the partner,” Memphis said as he studied Eb.“The one seeking vengeance.”

---