Page 172 of Cross & Crown

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know why I hid those things from the people I was supposed

to be working with. Maybe I was a hostage like his boyfriend.

Maybe I was there of my own free will and I decided to cheat

them out of something I found. I don’t know. But you know

what, Nick, I know there’s at least one person out there who

doesknow the answers to those questions. And that person is looking for this same treasure.That’swho I want to find,that’swhy I’m eager. If you want to arrest me and put me in a cell, you go ahead and do it, but one thing I know for damn

sure is that I’m your best shot at this, and no matter what my

motivation was for being there, I’m here right now for the

three of you. Because you’re the only people in the world I

know well enough to care about right now.”

Nick and the others stared at him, stunned by his outburst.

It was the first hint of real heat Nick had seen from him.

JD stood and straightened his suit, closing his eyes. “Am

I under arrest, or can I go to the room and get some sleep

now?”

Nick was torn between respecting the man for standing

up to him and being upset with himself for not hiding his

suspicions better. He nodded, and JD turned away without

another word.

Julian tossed back what was left of his drink and stood.

“I’ll try to calm him. Keep an eye on him. Good night,” he

added with a nod to them both.

Nick sat forward and held his head in his hands, groaning

softly. Kelly’s fingers were tentative on his back, at first. Then he placed his palm on Nick’s spine and left it there.

“Your instincts are telling you to trust him. He’ll be here

in the morning.”

“Only people he knows well enough to care about. Jesus

Christ, just stab me in the heart already.”

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