Page 45 of Between the Lies

Nina checked the clock. It was over an hour since she’d returned to the flat. Robert would be back soon, surely. He could’ve sent Cheryl to keep watch over Nina – that DI seemed to be on his side – but Robert hadn’t answered Cheryl’s calls earlier.

She pushed off the sofa, no longer able to sit down and think. This was her chance to make a run for it.

Sure, Robert trusted her, and if she ran away, she’d break that trust, but their little stint today had endangered his life. Shah could slice her throat, but Robert had nothing to do with her. And he shouldn’t pay for trying to protect her.

And most importantly, like she’d thought in the alley, she wouldn’t have Robert’s death on her conscience.

Nina stalked over to where her backpack lay at the foot of the other chair.

The nightmare/dream she’d had about jumping off a roof with Robert came to mind. She’d followed him to the edge of the roof without so much as a niggle of doubt. It had seemed preposterous then, but now she’d confessed her crime to him; now she stood on the edge. What guarantee did she have that he wouldn’t return with his cop pals in tow?

Nina secured the backpack on her shoulder. She didn’t trust easy, and now wasn’t the time to start. Even if the man made her feel… rosy.

She sighed. For some people, love and such fancies were never meant to be. If she wanted love, she’d watch a romcom.

Nina clutched the handle of the front door and twisted it open. ‘Ah!’ She jumped back.

The movement caused her backpack to plonk onto the floor.

Robert stood in the doorway, taking up the entire space. The lamplight from inside the house illuminated his features – the sharp line of his mouth, the frown between his eyebrows and the storm in his eyes. He saw the backpack, and then his gaze moved to her coat. In her defence, she hadn’t taken it off since returning – the chill from outside and perhaps the shock had kept her wanting its heavy embrace.

But Robert put two and two together. ‘Fuck no.’

He bent and snatched up the backpack. Then he kicked the door closed and stalked towards Nina. She backed away, her heart rate kicking up at the darkening of his eyes.

His muscles clenched, emanating that strength she felt whenever she touched him. Nina took another step back, bumping up against the sofa.

Robert didn’t stop – no, he advanced on her, gripped her arms then tumbled them onto the sofa. His body pressed down on hers, his weight the perfect embrace.

Nina blinked up and saw him staring at her.Oh my—Fuck. He was hot with that stubble on his stern jaw.

She reached up and ran her fingers over his skin, and he leaned down, bringing his lips closer to hers.

Nina’s breath caught, anticipating the explosion – but he pushed off her, turned and began pacing.

His footsteps were muffled on the carpet, his face contorted into a scowl. And those kissable lips were pressed in a thin line instead of having their wicked way with her.

Nina made a sound of protest. ‘For fuck’s sake! Stop it!’

Robert halted. ‘Why should I?’ He spoke in a low tone, so calm you’d think he was conducting a meditation class.

Then he faced her, and Nina saw the truth – he was raging alright. But instead of vocalising it, Robert was suppressing his anger. He stomped back to where she sat, his phone screen held out so she could see his call log.

He’d received calls from just two people – Joshua and Cheryl – on repeat. And all of those calls were highlighted in red. Missed calls.

‘I was raised by a single mother. She died a few years ago. We had no one else. Then I met Anne. So when I was told Anne had died, do you know who was there for me?’ Robert stabbed a finger at the screen.

When he didn’t continue, she muttered, ‘Joshua MacLeod and Cheryl Spiers.’

‘Exactly. They ensured I ate, showered. Hell, they even cleaned the flat and did my laundry for me.’ Robert dropped the phone on the coffee table. ‘And how do I repay them?’

Nina couldn’t say it. She’d put two and two together and yet the question left her lips. ‘Why don’t you let them help?’

‘They’re cops, Nina. If they find out you’ve killed someone, you’ll end up in custody. They’re willing to help me, but they have jobs and, in Josh’s case, a wife. I can’t expect them to give it all up for me. So I thought I could trust you.’ Robert leaned in now, until all she could see was the dark emerald of his eyes. ‘My boss told me I’d never be a good detective because I let my emotions get the better of me. You, Nina, just proved him right.’

Nina had latched her fingers on to the edge of the sofa, an anchor that would keep her from dissolving – or combusting – under the intensity of Robert’s gaze.

She dug her fingers further in, pressing so hard, she thought she might rip the cushion. ‘I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.’

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