Page 35 of Condemned By Secrets

The man’s eyes widened and his mouth shut. Without another word, he did as Luther asked.

When Cartwright was on the stoop, Luther turned him around. “Put your feet together and your hands behind your back.”

Cartwright’s shoulders drooped and he complied. Luther cuffed him and began reciting the Miranda Warning as he led the sleazebag to his cruiser. When they reached it, Luther opened the back door and shoved a subdued Cartwright in.

Sighing in disappointment that the bastard hadn’t given him any resistance, Luther headed for the station.

???

Anna was in the bath when she heard knocking at her door. At the sound, her eyes flew open and she jumped up, sloshing water as she went.Crud!

In a tizzy, she grabbed for the satin robe hanging on the back of the door. When she’d covered herself, she wrenched the bathroom door open. Rushing to her room door, she tripped over the heels laying discarded on the floor and landed in a sprawl.

Fishsticks!

Anna stood up and examined her right knee; it was already turning colors. Grumbling at herself for being so careless, she opened her door with a scowl.

“Yes?” When she saw it was Luther, she blushed and pulled the robe tighter around her throat.

His eyes burned hot for a moment as he took her in, but then he blinked, and they were a calm silver. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Can I come in?”

“Oh, um, sure.” Anna stepped back and waved him inside. She was very aware of the fact that she was wearing nothing but a thin robe and regretted not getting fully dressed before answering the door. The sight of Luther in his uniform had heat pooling between her legs, and she clenched her thighs together against the sensation. Her stomach was in knots from the mix of dread and anticipation that hit her whenever Luther was near. Ever since their second kiss, fissures had formed in her defensive walls. What would she do when those cracks caused the walls to crumble?

Luther turned around and caught her staring. She blushed and looked away, embarrassed she’d been ogling the muscles in his back which were visible against the white of his uniform shirt.

Mmm, Officer Yummy.

Shaking herself, Anna closed the door to her room then asked, “What’s this about?”

He looked at her but quickly averted his gaze. “I arrested Cartwright.”

Anna blew out a breath in surprise. “What happened?” And why wouldn’t Luther look at her? He kept glancing around the room instead.

She took a step toward him, and he finally met her gaze. The skin around his eyes was tight and pinched as if he was in pain.

“Did he hurt you? Are you all right?” Worry that Luther had been injured surged through her and she advanced on him, determined to look for wounds.

“I’m fine.” He held up his hands and backed away from her.

“Then what’s wrong?” He was being unusually distant and for some reason it was causing the knots in her belly to rise and tighten around her chest.

“What? Nothing’s wrong. I just . . .” His eyes dipped before coming back to hers. He rubbed the back of his neck, then asked in a strained voice, “Would you want to put on some clothes?”

Anna’s eyes widened at his comment, and she wasn’t sure how to respond.

Before she had a chance to think about it, Luther shook his head. “Nevermind,” he paused and took a breath. “Anna, Cartwright was the one who slashed your tire. He’s in custody, but he’ll likely make bail tomorrow.”

“Oh.” She expected to feel relieved that she knew who the tire slasher was but finding out it was Richard hit her like an icy wave. How had she been so blind? Her thoughts swirled as her mind replayed each exchange she’d had with him. How had she missed the lies?

“Anna? Are you okay? You’ve gone really pale.”

Anna blinked at Luther’s voice and focused on his face. He’d taken a step toward her, and concern was shining in his eyes. “What?”

“I asked if you’re okay.” He reached for her and brushed a hand across her cold cheek. “Look, even if Cartwright gets out on bail, he’ll be ordered to stay away from you.”

Anna’s thoughts hadn’t gotten that far. Now, images of Richard being let off and coming after her flooded her mind with fear. Her pulse pounded in her ears so loudly when she spoke, she wasn’t aware it was barely above a whisper. “What if he doesn’t?”

Luther squeezed one of the arms she’d hugged around herself. “He will. It’ll be a condition of his bond, and if he violates it, I’ll take him back to jail.”

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