Page 62 of Issued

Taya

Even though I’dprepared myself for the worst, Jim’s words had still come as a shock.

I made the boy and took him out before he could blow my team to hell.

And then, I’d looked up into Jim’s face, and my heart had cracked even more. I didn’t have to imagine the kind of guilt he’d feel over causing someone else’s death because I’d lived it. But in his case, it was so clear that he wasn’t at fault. And yet, he’d carried that weight ever since.

In that moments after his confession, all I’d wanted to do was pull him into my arms and comfort him because I love him.

But before I could tell him, I’d spotted a familiar face lurking in the front of the restaurant. Without stopping to think, I’d raced outside to catch him. And now here we are.

The two of us, all alone on this deserted stretch of beach, under a night sky heavy with an impending storm. The air is still and thick clouds blot out the stars, leaving behind a vast expanse of jet-black. The faint wind brushes against the water’s surface, the ripples ruffling the stillness of the surface.

My fingers curl into the fringes of my shawl.

A wave of different emotions washed over me. Lyons couldn’t have arrived at a more inopportune time. Jim was opening up, finally trusting me. But fear won out. Fear that Lyons is here because of something bad. Fear that if Lyons found me, maybe Santoro did, too. Fear Jim could be put in danger.

I squeeze my eyelids closer together, huffing. “What are you doing here?”

Lyons shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket, his hazel eyes a mixture of sad and angry. “Really? That’s all you have to say?”

I pull my shawl tight, chilled by a sudden cool breeze. His disapproval makes me tense and uncomfortable. “How’d you find me?”

“Taya, you did tell me about that stupid bet. But I didn’t remember right away.” Lyons runs a hand through his thick, blond hair, his jaw tightening imperceptibly. “When you disappeared, I thought Santoro had gotten to you. Killed you too.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as I stare out over the water. I thought leaving without a trace would keep my friends safe, would keep Lyons safe, since he was in the police force. But it never occurred to me he’d think Santoro killed me. I glance over at him, at the wrinkles etched into his skin. Maybe I should’ve told him. “I’m sorry.”

Lyons clears his throat and shifts his feet. “How’s married life?”

I snort. “Really?”

He levels me with a glare.

“It’s fine.”

Lyons quirks an eyebrow.

“What?”

His eyes narrow.

I watch Jim’s ex leave with her date.

I throw up my hands. “It’s nothing. Just... I don’t understand men’s taste in women sometimes. Jim’s ex is...” I make a face and shudder.

Lyons laughs and bumps me with his shoulder. I missed my friend. He’s like the brother I never had, the same way Bear and Jim are brothers. His arms come around me, and their weight is like slipping into a familiar coat. I rest my head against his shoulder and we both stand in silence for a bit, gazing out over the ocean.

“I found a picture linking Marco and Santoro to my father’s murder.” The admission is like a weight off my shoulders, but also cuts deep into my soul. “They were both with the supposed random robber. Fucking Marco was directly involved. I have it on a DVD.”

Lyons snarls and opens his mouth to respond, but his attention is captured by something over my shoulder. He goes rigid.

I whirl to find Jim, standing only a few feet away. His lowered brows and angry curl to his upper lip make my breath hitch in my chest. His body language reads as barely restrained violence. Shit! “Jim, this isn’t what it looks like.”

Jim steps forward, pulls me to his chest, and squeezes. When he leans back, he tips my chin up with one finger, and his expression softens a fraction. “You ran out like you saw a ghost. I thought at first it was my story, but when I went to find you, I sawhim.” His eyes narrow on Lyons.

I pull back a smidge and turn toward my friend. “This is Lyons, a friend of mine from back home.”

Jim wraps his arm tightly around my waist. “Which friend?”

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