Page 18 of Condemned By Secrets

“Unfortunately,” she muttered, and Luther thought he saw a scowl cross her face before she turned away.

“Hey? Everything okay?” He stepped toward her, and she lifted her gaze, pinning him to the spot with glaring eyes. She was angry all right, and now it was directed at him.

“Fine,” she snapped.

Luther hesitated. He wanted to tell her about the apartment, but it was clear she was upset about something. Would pushing her on it make things better or worse? Searching her face didn’t provide him an answer.

He was blocking her path as he debated with himself, and she raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re in my way.”

At that, Luther grinned. If haughty Anna was back, maybe he could tease her out of her bad mood. “Well, I did have the inside track on the exact type of apartment you were looking for, but if you want me to go . . .”

Her eyes softened, but her posture was still defensive as she shifted her weight and crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh? Where is this apartment?”

“Ah-ah-ah. The information’s going to cost you.” Luther grinned and mirrored her posture.

Anna’s eyes flamed, and her hands flew to her hips. “Really, Officer? Because that sounds like extortion to me.”

Luther’s brow wrinkled in worry at the anger radiating off her in response to his teasing. “Anna, what’s wrong?” he asked, dropping the act.

Her shoulders slumped and she looked away. “Nothing.”

Seeing her so distressed had lead settling on Luther’s chest. Whatever it was, he wanted to help her. Stepping closer, he reached for her chin. She tensed when he touched her, but he didn’t let go. Turning her to face him, he soothed, “It’s not ‘nothing’. Tell me what’s got you so upset.”

“It was a misunderstanding. That’s all.” It sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as him.

“What was a misunderstanding?” Luther brushed a strand of hair off her face, and her eyes widened. Before she could put distance between them, he reached for her shoulders and rubbed. “It might help to talk about it.” His eyes caught hers and held, his voice coming out gravelly as he pleaded, “Tell me.”

Her muscles were tight under his hands, so he worked on relaxing them. As he kneaded, he watched her inner struggle. “Tell me,” he coaxed.

When she let out a low sigh, a small smile curved Luther’s lips. He was happy she’d given in.

“Richard.”

At the name, Luther’s body went on alert, and his hands stilled. “Richard Cartwright?” He’d had a bad feeling about the man, but the search he’d conducted into her co-worker’s background had come back clean.

“Yes, he’s helping me with a project and . . .” Her gaze turned glassy, and she bit her lip.

The movement drew Luther’s eye, and he wanted, badly, to soothe the spot with his tongue, to taste her and drink all her worries away, but that wasn’t what she needed right now. “What did he do, Anna?”

Her cheeks flushed, and she avoided his gaze. “We were having drinks to discuss the project, or so I thought.”

She was killing him, dragging this out. Luther’s mind was racing with scenarios, all of which caused his blood to heat. He was ready to track down Cartwright and beat the shit out of him, and he didn’t even know what the man had done yet. Working to keep his voice and his hands gentle, Luther lifted her face to his. “What happened, Anna?”

“He hit on me, that’s all.” She gave a slight shrug, but she wouldn’t look him in the eye.Is she embarrassed or is it something else?

Luther hardly blamed Cartwright for trying when he’d wanted Anna since he’d met her, but something felt off about her explanation. “Are you sure that’s all? If he did or said anything that crossed the line, I need to know.”

“He didn’t.” She shook Luther’s hands off, and he sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to tell him anything more.

“Okay, but if Cartwright ever tries . . .” Red coated his vision, and his hands clenched into fists at the thought he couldn’t finish. “Then tell me,” he managed in a gruff voice.

“Fine, I will.” Anna nodded. Regaining her composure, she stood up taller, quirking an eyebrow at him. “Now, what about this apartment?”

Luther blinked. He’d almost forgotten about it in his worry over Cartwright. Shaking those thoughts from his head, he smiled. “Well, it just so happens I found exactly what you’re looking for.”

“Oh really?” she scoffed. “I think I’ll be the judge of that.”

Damned if that didn’t make him chuckle. He liked when she was feisty. “I’m sure you will.” He winked, then held his hand out. “Give me your phone.”

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