Page 86 of Reckless Hearts

When he finishes his last question, he thanks me for my time. “We may need to look at your computer and your phone should we need to investigate anything further.”

“Not a problem,” I tell him, and he holds out his hand for me to shake. “When will I hear back?”

“This feels like a very cut and dry case. It shouldn’t be too long. I’d say the commission should have the investigation completed in the next day or two, and our decision will be communicated to you shortly after.”

“Can I ask you one more question?” I wait, my eyes widening, wondering if I’m not allowed to ask about Jade.

“Sure.”

“Have you interviewed Jade yet?”

He doesn’t say anything right away, just standing there, watching me. My question floats between us, and it’s then that I realize he probably can’t share with me how Jade’s interview went, needing to keep things confidential.

“I can’t disclose what happened in her interview,” he answers. Again, taking a pause, but a small smile crosses his lips. It’s a knowing one, one that feels positive, like he’s giving me a silent okay. “But we’ve interviewed everyone involved.”

“Thank you.”

And as I close the door, I realize he asked me all those questions about my training schedule because he has already interviewed Jade.

There’s not a chance that her story matches what I just told him. She knows nothing about me because in her words, I’m just an “amateur nobody.”

Thank fuck for that.

I smileas I walk up the front steps to Alana’s house. Sloane is sitting on the front porch, Mochi in her lap, looking extremely pleased with himself.

“Hey, Sloane,” I say. “Got yourself a friend there, huh?”

She smiles, glancing down at the dog as she pats it. “He’s so freaking cute,” she says, looking up at me. “Jade isn’t going to want him back, is she?”

I laugh, leaning against the side of the house. “I’m pretty sure Alana has vetoed that happening, so I think you’re good. You sure you guys want to look after him?”

“Absolutely,” she says, hugging the dog to her chest. Mochi licks her neck, actually snuggling in closer to her.

“Yeah, so he’s totally living his best life right now,” I say, gesturing to the dog.

She smirks, patting him again as she looks over at me. “So, you and Alana, huh?”

“Me and Alana,” I confirm, crossing my arms over my chest as I wonder where this is going.

“I like it,” she says with a nod.

I chuckle. “Me too,” I reply. “I like it a lot.”

Sloane laughs now, waving a hand at the front door. “She’s inside, in her room,” she tells me. “And Flynn,” she adds, pausing as she looks up at me. “It’s cool if you stay the night. You don’t need to go or whatever.”

“Thanks, Sloane,” I say, knowing from Alana how hard that is for her. “Enjoy your new pet,” I add, laughing when she hugs Mochi to her again.

Inside, the house is empty, so I head down to Alana’s room. She’d texted me to say she was done with her interview, and I’d told her I would come over, preferring to be with her when she told me all about it.

Mine had pretty much been a non-event. Just a bunch of questions before the dude looked through my phone and laptop. I still don’t know where we stand with everything though, but I’m hopeful the ISA can see this for what it really is and not whatever delusional idea Jade was pushing on them.

“Hey,” I say, pushing open the door.

Alana looks up from where she lies on her bed. “Hey,” she replies as I close the door behind me, kicking off my thongs before I walk over.

Crawling my way up her body, I lie down beside her, kissing her lips and neck. “You okay?” I ask.

Alana nods, wrapping her arms around me as she pulls me in for another kiss. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

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