Page 52 of All the Missing Pieces

His eyes flared, a little amber flashing amidst the brown. “Don’t apologize?”

“No,” I clipped. “Because words don’t mean a damned thing if they aren’t followed up by actions. And you’ve proven that your words are pure bullshit. So just save us both the time, and don’t bother.”

I shoved another bite of hash into my mouth and turned back to my computer. But Colt didn’t move. His shadow stayed cast over my table, and his damned scent kept finding its way to my nose.

“I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions,” he gritted out.

“No shit, Sherlock,” I mumbled without looking up.

“You have to admit that you were the most likely suspect,” Colt said, defending himself.

I slammed my laptop closed and stood, making quick work of shoving my belongings into my bag. “No. I don’t. And even if I were, there’s a polite way to ask for someone’s whereabouts, and then there’syou.” It shouldn’t have gotten to me this much. I’d had countless other law enforcement officials question my motives and shut me out of a case. I hadn’t ever been accused of assault before, but something told me it wasn’t so much the accusation but the man making it that bothered me.

A strangled laugh-slash-cough sounded from the chess table, and Norm thumped Sam on the back.

Colt sent a glare in their direction before turning back to me. “I went about it the wrong way. I’m sor?—”

“Don’t you dare, Colter Brooks,” I snapped, pulling my bag over my shoulder and grabbing my coffee.

“She full-named you, Colt. I’d watch out,” Sam said. “When my wife does that, it means Couch City.”

“You’re not helping,” Colt ground out and then turned back to me. “Ridley?—”

“No.N. O. Seems like you haven’t heard that word a lot in your life, but I’ll be happy to educate you. It means this is an anti-Colt zone. You don’t get in my space, and I won’t get inyours. You don’t stream bullshit at me, and I won’t make you scowl on a daily basis. And right now, it means get the hell out of my way.”

21

COLT

I staredat the door for a long time after Ridley sailed through it, the glass vibrating right along with her fury.

Fuck.

“I thought I had a bad track record with women,” Norm muttered.

“You do,” Celia shot back from her spot next to Mira at the counter as they waited for drinks.

Hell.I hadn’t realized they’d come in. News of this would spread in no time flat. Not that I didn’t deserve that little hit to my pride. I did. I just didn’t want more people in Ridley’s business, and mine.

“Woman,” Norm hollered, “don’t you fuss at me.”

Celia arched a brow in his direction. “Careful there, Norm. I might not make youdinneranymore if you don’t watch your tone.”

Mira’s lips twitched. “And bydinnershe means?—”

“Sweet baby Jesus,” Sam cut her off. “I do not need to hear about what those two are up to in their love-hate relationship.”

Neither did I. Where the hell was the brain bleach when you needed it?

Sam’s eyes narrowed on me. “You going to fix that?”

I shuddered. “I don’t think there’s anyfixingknowing that Norm and Celia are together.”

“Colter Brooks, don’t make me box your ears,” Celia shouted.

Sam shook his head. “Two full names in five minutes has to be a record.”

“Even I haven’t gotten that,” Norm mumbled.

---