Page 73 of Caught By Menace

Staring at her, Menace couldn’t believe she’d fooled him so easily. Had anything they’d shared been real? Was it all a ruse? He didn’t think so. She couldn’t fake their connection. Shecouldn’t fake the depth of affection they shared when they made love.

But his love for her couldn’t overcome the awful truth. Knowingly or unknowingly, he’d fed information to a mole, and men, his brothers-in-arms, had been killed. The guilt of that would eat away at him until he drew his last breath.

“Interrogate her.”

Terror let loose a relieved a breath. He clapped Menace’s shoulder. “I’m sorry it went this way, Menace. I never wanted—”

“I know.” Deep down inside, he hoped she had a good reason for betraying him. It wouldn’t make it any easier to swallow but maybe he could learn to understand it. Menace kept his gaze fixed on Naya, trying to remember every detail of the face that had ensnared him. There was no doubt in his mind. Once he left this room, he would never see his wife again.

“Take him to another room and get his statement, Torment. When you’re done, transfer custody to the general.”

Torment grabbed his arm. “This way, Menace. I’ll make this quick and painless.”

Menace didn’t appreciate the gallows humor. Head hung with shame, he refused to meet Vicious’ compassionate gaze. He’d put every soldier and airman in this sector at risk. Compassion wasn’t something he deserved or even wanted.

Vicious grasped his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “It will be all right, Menace.”

But it wouldn’t be.

Chapter Sixteen

Naya glanced atthe door again. Her legs ached from being seated so long. She’d tried bouncing her feet up and down to maintain blood flow, but that only made her ankles and arches burn. She needed to use the restroom and her mouth was incredibly dry. Her stomach rumbled with hunger and reminded her about the brunch date with Hallie she’d missed.

The room’s stark white walls and painfully bright lights made her slightly dizzy. A sensation of claustrophobia crept into her chest. She inhaled slowly and folded her arms on the table. She leaned forward and rested her cheek on them.Breathe. Just breathe.

How long had it been since she was separated from Menace? Three hours? Four? She couldn’t tell. It definitely felt that long. Was he in trouble? She prayed that he would be spared. Whatever she’d done in her past, it had nothing to do with Menace.

Eyes closed, she fought the urge to laugh at the irony of her situation. Just last night she’d been “interrogated” senseless. Now she shivered with fear at the very real prospect of her fantasy becoming a true nightmare.

The door suddenly hissed and beeped as the locks disengaged. Her stomach lurched but she muscled down the urge to puke. She had to keep it together. Menace would find a way to save her. She may not have trusted him enough to tell all her secrets to him, but he had to know how much she loved him. He was going to be angry when he learned about what she’d done all those years ago, but he would find a way to protect her.He wasn’t her mother or her brother or any of the other people who had let her down. He was Menace—and he loved her. She believed that with every fiber of her being.

With all the swagger of a man who was untouchable, Terror entered the interrogation cell. Another man flanked him, this one sporting a battered face and injured arm. He took up a position near the door. Terror strode toward her. He had a brown folder clamped under one arm and a tablet in the other hand. The folder she recognized. She’d seen the same ones down in The City and Connor’s Run when she’d been arrested.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Terror said and dropped into the chair across from her. He placed the folder and tablet on the table. “Interrogating Menace took longer than I’d anticipated.”

His words hit her like a punch to the gut. She didn’t dare let her expression change. She pushed down the fear she felt for Menace and tried to keep a handle on her emotions. Menace and Terror were friends. He wouldn’t put his friend through an interrogation.He’s playing you.

“That’s Pierce. He’s one of my agents.” Terror reached into his pocket and produced a small piece of candy. He took his time unwrapping and popping it into his mouth. Totally relaxed, he leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now but I’m not exactly a logistics clerk.”

“No! Really? I’m shocked.” Past experience told her the smart-ass routine was a quick way to catch a boot to the face or worse but she couldn’t help herself. Sarcasm had always been her default setting in times of fear.

“I’m sure you read me as easily as I read you. Pawnshop girl from Connor’s Run?” He snorted. “I hardly think so.”

Terror’s remark sent a quiver of doubt through her. What, exactly, did Terror think her guilty of doing?

“Your radar seems to have a glitch, Terror. I really am just a pawnshop girl from Connor’s Run.”

He crunched the candy between his teeth. His unwavering stare unnerved her. “This doesn’t have to end badly, Naya. You can come clean right now and I can pull some strings at your sentencing. Cooperate and I’ll show my gratitude.”

Sentencing? Naya’s heartbeat sped up but she tried to regain control of her body.

“Tell me about the Grab.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Tell me about the Grab.”

“It was cool that morning. I was wearing shorts. I had my hair in a ponytail. I ran with my friend Jennie. There were lots of birds. It was sort of overcast.” She rattled on at the mouth. “Have I told you enough?”

---