Page 90 of Can You Take It?

The drive is tense and silent. Emily doesn’t say anything more, and I’m left with my thoughts, desperately trying to come up with a plan. When we finally pull up to the bureau, my heart sinks at the thought of finding Richard here.

Emily escorts me inside, leading me through hallways until we reach an interrogation room. I half-expected Richard to waltz in, playing the stern interrogator, but no such luck. Guess dealing with minor inconveniences isn’t his forte.

Noah, breaking the awkward silence, offers, “Need some water?”

I shoot him a glance that screams ‘no shit,’ but I just nod. As he leaves to fetch a cup, I glance around the room.

When Noah returns with the water, I take a sip, masking my boredom.

“You know, it would be in your best interest to start telling the truth,” Emily warns.

I raise an eyebrow, the corners of my lips curling into a sardonic smile. “Truth is subjective, sweetheart. What you see might not be what I see.”

“Surprising how you always end up near the crime scene. Got a sixth sense for trouble, Montclair?” Noah points out.

Crime scene? What crime scene?

Do these people seriously consider a few scattered papers, pens, and documents lying around a crime scene? Maybe next they'll arrest me for jaywalking across a cluttered desk.

“More like trouble has a sixth sense for me,” I retort, taking another sip of water. Emily narrows her eyes, not amused by my flippant attitude.

She leans back, crossing her arms. “You do realize that lying to us isn’t going to end well for you, right? Richard doesn’t take too kindly to deception during interrogations.”

“Oh, I’m terrified,” I reply.

Deep down, I actually am.

The door swings open, and in walks Colton, who takes a seat across from me.

“So, Izel, mind telling us what you were really doing at Liam’s place?”

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question?”

“Breaking into someone’s house is a felony,” he asserts.

I let out a dry laugh, the sound bouncing off the featureless walls. “I know.”

Noah shifts uncomfortably. “Look, we just need to understand why you were at Liam’s place,” he says, attempting a “good cop” approach.

“Why does anyone go anywhere?” I reply nonchalantly. “I wanted to catch up with an old friend.”

“Breaking into an old friend’s house? That’s your idea of catching up?” Emily challenges again.

“Some people have different ways of reconnecting. You should try it sometime,” I taunt, knowing full well that my brazen attitude is getting under their skin.

Chapter 25

IZEL

The door creaks open again, and this time it’s Richard barging in. The trio of agents scatter like roaches when the lights come on, and I’m left here, sizing up the sudden appearance of his familiar face. A mixture of fear and a weird sense of longing twists in my gut as he locks eyes with me.

“Alright, everyone, out!” Richard barks at the trio. The agents don’t waste a second, stumbling over themselves to get the hell out of Dodge. As the door slams shut behind them, Richard saunters over like he owns the space—and me, by extension. He doesn’t say a word at first, just closes the door with a softclick.

“So, what’s it going to be?” My eyes trail his every movement as I try to mask the unease creeping up my spine. “Are you the good cop, or the bad cop?”

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he takes his time, peeling off his coat and draping it over the back of the chair like he’s settling in for a long night. My heart picks up pace, and I can feel my pulse in my throat, but I keep my face neutral, not willing to let him know he’s got me on edge.

He starts rolling up his sleeves, each fold revealing more of those forearms—strong, veined, and capable. The kind that could crush skulls without breaking a sweat or maybe cradle you so tight you’d forget to breathe. Fuck, I hate that he looks so good doing it, but damn if it doesn’t make me forget for a second where we are. Maybe getting arrested isn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened tonight.

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