The slap across Adrian’s face echoed through the empty street.
Adrian touched his left cheek, gaping.
“I deserved that.”
“You deserve to be burning in hell,” Riley spat, tears of fury falling. “You’re responsible for my sister’s death. You and your stupid investigation!”
“I didn’t force her to do anything. She offered. She wanted to get Julius behind bars as much as I wanted to,” Adrian defended himself.
“She was a civilian. She wasn’t a cop, an expert like you. How could you let her do this? How could you let that man lay his hands on her?” Riley shook her head and kept walking. Adrian tried to grab her arm, but she pulled away. “You need to leave. I don’t want to see you again.”
“Riley–”
“You touch me again, and I swear to God, you’ll regret every second of it,” Riley hissed. She stalked off, and Adrian didn’t follow.
Chapter Thirty
Skipping work had seemed like the right thing to do. She couldn’t risk letting anyone know how hurt she was, or how much she cared about Adrian, especially since her feelings were ones she’d only recently realized. Riley needed to understand what was happening, both in LinHill and in her heart, before she could talk about it to anyone. She sent Paige’s calls to voicemail, knowing her friend would ask questions until she received the answers Riley desperately didn’t want to give.
By the end of the third day, Riley managed to drag herself out of the house, deciding there was no point to lament trusting someone she shouldn’t have any longer.
Now completely focused on her day job, the bar seemed like the perfect refuge for her and her mind.
Julius was still around, his remaining men by his side. Riley hadn’t forgotten her true mission, and with the pain in her heart, her plan was renewed; she just had to find the energy in her grief to pursue it.
“Hey, you!”
Riley had stepped outside the bar, into the street, when she heard the man’s voice and slowly turned around, instantly recognizing him as the man she’d struck with a bottle at Julius’s house a few days ago. She didn’t know his name, nor did she know the two men who walked out of his car and stood next to him.
“Can I help you?” Riley asked politely, pretending she didn’t know him.
“You’re Riley Spencer, Julius’s waitress. You’re hard to find.”
“That’s strange. You could have asked Julius. He knows I work here. So, now that you found me, what do you want?” Riley asked, though she sensed it was nothing good.
“I want an apology,” the man said, stepping closer with his men. “And I want it now.”
Riley’s first reaction was to laugh, loudly, taking the man by surprise. There wasn’t a man in the world that could force her to do something, even her husband knew better. Why would she ever follow the commands of a disrespectful stranger?
“Right. Like that’s ever gonna happen.” Riley turned to resume her walk, only to be stopped by one of his men, who stepped right in front of her and refused to move.
“He said, apologize.”
Before Riley could react, someone stepped between them, grabbing her arm.
Adrian.
Riley didn’t know if his interference was heaven-sent or not, but what she immediately felt were goose bumps and her heart racing, a confusing reaction since she was supposed to be mad at him.
“Step away from her, now,” Adrian ordered. Seeing the gun on Adrian’s belt, the man stepped aside. Riley was grateful, but didn’t want to give the impression that she was a damsel in need of a hero.
“There’s no reason to get rough on my men now, Detective. We were just having a very amicable conversation with Ms. Spencer here, isn’t that right?”
“I have absolutely nothing to talk about with you, or your men,” Riley said.
Adrian nodded once at Riley then looked back to the men. “Good, you heard her. Now leave.”
“I’ll see you around, Riley Spencer,” the man said as he opened the car door.
When the men had driven away, Riley turned to Adrian. “You didn’t have to interfere. And what are you doing here, anyway? Have you been spying on me? Making sure I don’t go hurt your brother, perhaps?”
“No, I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard. I’m perfectly fine.”
“You don’t know who Noah Kirkland is.”
“He’s Julius’s friend, and that’s enough for me to know he isn’t a saint,” Riley snapped. “You can leave now. I’m going home.”
“Let me walk you.” The minute the words left his mouth, Riley frowned.
“No. I told you to stay away, and my feelings haven’t changed. Go watch your brother. I’m sure he needs more help than I do.”
Knowing well that he was still watching her, she hurried away from him. She knew that she should be thankful for his assistance, but she had to remind herself that perhaps there was a little remorse in his actions, probably looking for an absolution she’d never provide.
It was past nine when Riley finally reached her front gate, having taken several detours along the way, using the night air to clear her mind.
But on the way home, she’d felt eyes on her back, like her role as a nighttime predator had been reversed, and now she was the prey. She scurried to her front porch, not in the mood to fight with anyone.
Before she could put her key in the door, though, she found herself trapped between two men. One stood in front of her, the other behind. Riley recognized them as the bodyguards of Julius’s friend, Noah Kirkland. They looked meaner and more furious than before and ready to attack.
“You shouldn’t have pushed your luck back there, darling,” the one behind her said, moving slightly closer. “I don’t think your cop friend will be here this time to save you.”
“Who says I need to be–”
Abruptly, the man grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her against his partner’s chest. He held her by
