Page 36 of Cross & Crown

talking to me like one right now.”

Nick’s eyes narrowed, and he gave the door an insulted

frown. “Fine! So how about you get your ass out of the

bathroom and we’ll talk like adults.”

Hagan inhaled sharply, and the guard on the door tensed.

The man in the bathroom was silent. Kelly winced when it

seemed like Nick’s tactic had backfired, but then they heard

soft laughter through the door.

The lock clicked and the door edged open. Kelly had sort

of expected a neurotic-looking little bald guy in glasses or

something, but the man who peered out was maybe six feet

tal , just an inch or two shorter than Nick. He was wiry and fit, with a healthy tan and shaggy blond hair that had obviously

been bleached by time in the sun. His eyes were a blue that

seemed Photoshopped. Fuck, he was kind of Nick’s type.

Nick was still leaning against the doorjamb, one eyebrow

raised at the man. “Touché, Detective,” the blond man said.

Nick nodded, crossing his arms smugly.

The guy glanced at Hagan. “Sorry.”

“Hey, I get it. Don’t hurt my feelings any. People always

like him better.”

36

The guy’s eyes landed on Kelly, and Kelly tried to offer

him a comforting smile even though he still had no clue what

was going on.

“JD, this is my partner, Kelly Abbott,” Nick said as he

waved his hand in Kelly’s direction. “Kels, this is our witness who doesn’t know who he is.”

“Seriously?” Kelly whispered.

“I thought . . . I thought Detective Hagan was your

partner,” JD said, frowning and looking between them.

“Partner,” Nick said gently, pointing at Hagan. Then he

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