Page 76 of Echoes of You

“Fine,” I clipped.

We climbed the stone steps to the luxury cabin. Lawson lifted a hand and pressed the doorbell. I heard nothing but silence for at least a minute.

“He’s trying to throw us off balance, regain power and put the ball back in his court,” I said.

Lawson nodded. “Won’t work. I’ve got three little monsters at home. I’m used to all the tricks.”

I snorted. “Maybe we should sic them on ole Adam. He’d be crying for mercy in less than an hour.”

Footsteps sounded inside, and the humor instantly bled from my face.

The lock clicked, and the door opened. I’d met the man in front of me twice before when he’d come to Cedar Ridge to visit Maddie before she moved, but he never seemed as smarmy as he did right now. His light brown hair was so meticulously styled it probably would’ve caused him a coronary to have a single strand out of place. And he was dressed as if he were attending a business meeting, not on a supposed vacation.

“Officers, to what do I owe the pleasure?” His gray eyes flashed as they landed on me. “Nash. It’s been too long.”

“Not long enough,” I muttered under my breath.

Lawson took a step forward. “Mr. Westchester. I’m Chief Hartley with the Cedar Ridge Police.”

Adam extended a hand. “Another of the Hartley clan. There’s quite a lot of you around here.”

Lawson gave him his best disarming smile. “That there are.”

“What can I help you with?” Adam asked.

“I need to have a word with you about Maddie Byrne.”

Adam raised a brow in false surprise. “Is my fiancée all right? She wasn’t in an accident, was she?”

“She’s not your fiancée,” I growled.

Adam sent us a sheepish smile. “I’m afraid Madison and I had a bit of an argument back home. She stormed off to make a point, but we’ll get it sorted out in no time. You know how women can be. Overdramatic.”

I opened my mouth to tell him that Maddie wouldn’t have anything more to do with him, but Lawson stepped on my foot. Hard. I bit back a curse.

“I’m afraid Ms. Byrne doesn’t see things quite the same way. I’m going to have to request that you give her the distance she has asked for and not contact her in any way. I’d hate to have to get things like restraining orders involved,” Lawson said casually.

The first flicker of true rage flashed across Adam’s eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. “I can’t imagine what evidence Madison would possess that would convince a judge to grant a restraining order. She’d, of course, be free to try, but I doubt it would make it that far.”

“How about the photos and X-rays a doctor took of herthreebroken ribs?” I gritted out.

A look of concern swept over Adam’s face. I would’ve believed him if I hadn’t known what a bastard he truly was. He shook his head. “That’s horrible. Did Madison fall? She’s quite clumsy. It wouldn’t be the first time…”

Fury surged in me, and I lunged. Lawson yanked me back. “Don’t. It’s exactly what he wants.”

Adam chuckled. “Listen to your brother. You don’t want to mess with me. And who are you anyway? Some nobody from the middle of nowhere who disappeared on Madison the second she moved away.”

The anger swirling through me made it hard to breathe.

“Mr. Westchester. This warning is going on record. I’ll be keeping meticulous notes on this case, and all my officers have been briefed to keep an eye out. It would be a shame if a restraining order, even a temporary one, became public record. I bet some of these big-city news outlets would love to do a feature on any accusations leveled against you,” Lawson said, keeping a firm hold on me.

Redness crept up Adam’s throat. “That sounds a lot like a threat from a law enforcement officer. I can’t imagine the powers that be in this town would take kindly to hearing about their officers’ behavior here today.”

Lawson shrugged. “I’m just making you aware of what can happen when things become public record. I’d hate to see it happen.”

“I’ll make sure to give my lawyer a heads-up.” Adam slammed the door in our faces.

Lawson released me. “Get in the SUV.”

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