Page 18 of Badges
“Your lapdog took offense that I’m prettier than her, so decided to not feed me.” The memory of the encounter pushes me to my feet in agitation.
My arms raise and I pull the loose fabric of my shirt so it snugs against my waist. “Do I look like I have a lot to lose?”
His caramel gaze settles on my chest before raising to my face. “I’ll talk to her.”
Sneaky.
I almost want to spill everything I know just so I can get out of here and fuck with her out of spite.
“We’ve been going through your vehicle.” He pulls out his phone.
Probably avoiding looking at me.
He scrolls through several pictures. “The receipt trail is verifying that you only got here a few weeks ago.” His copper mustache tilts. “Elena, tell me who put you up to this so we can help your friend.”
My lack of cleaning out my Jeep might have saved my butt.
Dropping my hands, I wrap them around my growling belly and slump onto the foot of my tiny bed.
I know I can’t do anything to protect my sister from here.
Maybe if I just tell him, I can get out and try to save her.
“It’s my…cousin that’s in trouble.” I’ll allow a half-truth. If he starts snooping through the foster records, she could be in more danger than I can fix. “Someone from up here that knew my parents pulled some strings to get her moved in with a foster family and is using her to make me do their dirty work.”
One of his russet brows raise. “Cousin?”
“We’re very close,” I blurt in a rush. “I wanted to try and get custody, but then this guy—” My jaw slams shut.Do I really tell him?
“I can see why you’re worried,” Wade says softly. His lips purse and his eyes narrow. “Elena,” he exhales. “I can make sure that no one knows that I’m checking. That’s if you’re worried about me tipping someone off that you talked?”
“How did you know?” All the strength leaves my body, flopping me onto my back to stare at the ceiling. “You swear onmy mom’s grave?” I really hope she means enough to him for him to promise.
He clears his throat, a deep rumbling sound through the small space. “I swear.”
“I remember her telling me once that the only cops she ever trusted were here. I bet she was talking about you.” My fingers lace across my ribs, rising with a long inhale.
“You can’t check.” I half sit up, catching his focus. “You have to promise. She could be killed…or worse.”
I watch him until my abs start to burn.
When he nods, I relax back onto the hard cot.
Closing my eyes to the harsh lights, a wave of panic races through me.
“It’s my sister,” I choke out. “The guy who called me told me his name is ‘Mad Man’, and that he knew my father.”
There’s a silence that sits heavy enough to crush my chest.
Pushing against it, I sit up, hugging my knees.
The whiskers over his jaw twitches. “Yoursister?Your mom had another kid?”
I don’t hide the smirk. “Yes. Duh. That’s what that means.” My hand twirls in an idle circle. “It was a while after we got to Texas. She dated lots of guys, so I have no idea who the father is.”
His cheeks pale, then he almost looks like he’s going to be sick. “Whoever is using her for extortion is a fucked up individual.” He runs his palm over his face, then scratches the whiskers on his chin. “Can you tell me what this asshole looks like?”
“I never saw him. He’d send instructions and locations to pick stuff up.” A shiver works through me.
