Page 28 of Covert Affair

“You don’t have to apologize for other people,” he says matter of factly.

“What’s that supposed to mean exactly?”

“I don’t even think you noticed, but several times since you called me, you’ve said sorry. Stop apologizing for other people.”

“Cody, are you angry with me?” I ask, feeling both confused and incredibly vulnerable.

“Jesus Christ,” he pulls over to the side of the road and turns to look at me. “No. Stacey, no. I’m not angry with you. I’m pissed at that son of a bitch boyfriend of yours who is out on bail and living the goddamn high life after he put his hands on you.”

“I’m…” I start to apologize but he cuts me off.

“Don’t…” he warns. “Do not apologize for him, of all people.”

“I wasn’t going to. I was going to say that I’m sorry that I pulled you into this,” I reply, quickly.

“Stacey,” he reaches across the center console and takes my hand. “Don’t ever apologize for picking up the phone and calling me.”

“I don’t deserve your help.”

“Why? Because some asshole put it in your head that you’re somehow unworthy? If that’s it, then hear me when I tell you that it’s utter bullshit.”

No. Because I waited too long to speak up, I want to say.

“Right. Whatever you say, Cody,” I blow out a breath. “I guess I’ll need to find a place to stay since I can’t go anywhere.”

“You’ve got a place to stay already,” Cody says, putting the truck in drive and pulling back out onto the road. “You’re staying with me until we figure this whole thing out.”

Cody’s words make me feel things. Things that I shouldn’t be feeling for someone that isn’t mine.

“Cody, I can’t do that. If Waylon were to find out, he’ll use it against me.”

“Nope. Not a chance in hell. First of all, he’s not going to find out. Second of all, I don’t think you need to worry about what he’s got to use against you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Last night, you said you found some things you weren’t supposed to…” he starts.

I don’t need him to finish to know exactly what he’s going to say next.

“And since you had some free time on your hands while I was locked up, you did some digging.” I throw my head back against the headrest and wince. Yup, still sore from breaking Waylon’s nose.

“I did. But, I’m also guessing that no one bothered to tell you that when Waylon was taken in that his fingerprints were flagged in the system?”

“What?” I immediately turn to look at Cody. “What do you mean they were flagged in the system?”

“Honey, your boyfriend isn’t getting out of jail any time soon. And his real name isn’t Waylon Ellison either,” he says with a smug grin on his face.

“I don’t understand. What are you talking about? I know lots of people in Nashville use pseudonyms but any legal documents, like the paperwork for our house all have his legal name on them, Waylon Ellison,” I reply.

“I’m guessing there’s a whole lot you don’t know about your boyfriend, Stacey. Because his real name is Franklin Tomlinson and he’s been wanted by the FBI for several months now.”

“You can’t be serious,” I gasp in shock. “Cody, there’s no way.”

“Okay, let’s start with this…what did you find that you think you shouldn’t have?”

“There were some emails, between him and an unfamiliar email address. About money and some offshore bank accounts. And a bunch of papers referencing bank deposit boxes and storage lockers.”

“And they all appeared to be in his name? Waylon Ellison?”

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