Page 269 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
My lips crimp. “Not everything is black and white. There's a whole heap of gray no one pays any attention to—”
“I don’t believe in coincidences. There's a logical reason for everything.”
Air whistles between my lips when I attempt to stifle a chuckle. “Now it all makes sense.”
I step closer to Alex, ignoring Isabelle’s tug on my arm, trying to keep us apart. I continue until I come face to face with the man who has been relentlessly pursuing me for months. I’m impressed when he maintains my eye contact when I stare into his blue eyes. Not many men have the confidence to stand across from me and not balk.
“What makes sense?” Alex queries, unable to suppress the need to know what my remark referred to.
“Why you’ve been so persistent in investigating me.”
Alex’s top lip curls into a snarl. “I’ve beenpersistentlyinvestigating you because you're a criminal.”
I adjust my position to block his view of Isabelle when he turns his eyes to her. “It has nothing to do with me being a criminal. You’re only investigating me because you're jealous.”
Alex chuckles a deep, snarky laugh. “Jealous? Of what? Everything you’veeveraccomplished in your life was achieved with money tainted in blood. I'd rather be poor than live with low morals like you.”
“Alex, that’s enough.”
A smug grin curves on my mouth, pleased Isabelle is defending my integrity. Her cheeks are still inflamed, but now it’s from the anger surging through her veins, not embarrassment. I glide my thumb over her hand, refocusing her attention from glaring at Alex. Her eyes switch from being angry to remorseful the instant they lock with mine. I smile and wink at her before returning my focus to Alex.
“You’re not jealous of my accomplishments, my power, or my wealth.”
Alex’s chest puffs high, and an arrogant mask slips over his face.
“You’re jealous because Regan chose me over you.”
Isabelle squeezes my hand so hard her nails dig into my palm. Alex tries to suffocate the look of possessiveness on his face, but he isn’t quick enough for me to miss it. Now everythingdoesmake sense. Regan lived in Ravenshoe for years, but suddenly, not long after the FBI rolled into town, she moved back to Texas.
Regan is a strong, take-no-shit-from-no-one woman, but she wasn’t always like that. She uses her high-strung attitude as a shield to protect herself from the hurt she endured when she was younger. It takes one hell of a man to get her to lower her barrier, and obviously, Alex accomplished that, but from the look of repentance in his eyes, I can tell he's also the reason she converted back to her hard-shelled exterior.
“If you believe her decision was based on anything but professional obligation and friendship, then you're more foolish than I first thought.” I shift my eyes to Ryan. “I'll have my lawyer schedule a time for me to come to the station to answer any questions you have, but for now, Isabelle and her health will remain my number one priority.”
Ryan nods, and any remark from Alex is interrupted when a doorbell rings through the foyer. Lifting my gaze, I spot Jae standing outside the glass French doors with an antique brown leather doctor’s bag in her hand.
“Go with Jae into the living room. I’ll join you in a few minutes after I see Ryan and Alex out,” I instruct Isabelle, peering at her.
An egotistical smirk curls my lips high when Isabelle bids farewell to Alex and Ryan with a quick smile before she does as instructed without protest. Once she and Jae enter the living room, I face Alex and Ryan head-on. “Did you arrest the second assailant who kidnapped Isabelle?”
Ryan nods. “Yes. The information supplied by Enrique was extremely accurate. We netted his assailant and another four members of his crew earlier this morning.”
“Do you have any leads in the disappearance of Enrique?” I keep the same panicked tone to ward off any suspicion.
Alex’s lip set into a hard line. “No, but rumors are Vladimir was grooming him to take over the family business, so I wouldn’t be surprised to discover this is the work of Vladimir’s crew. We put a ban on all travel, but by the time it was processed through all the appropriate channels, Enrique was long gone.”
I nod to conceal the smile curving on my mouth. “Have you questioned the police officers regarding who framed Isabelle for Megan’s murder?”
Ryan grimaces. “No, they were admitted to Mercer Hospital for dehydration, exposure, and for psychiatric evaluation. Until they're given the all-clear, the union reps won’t let me close to them.”
I glance into Ryan’s eyes, snubbing Alex and his furious glance. “You have your suspicions on who it is?” Ryan is like an open book, easy for me to read.
“I have my theories. I just need proof.”
When I arch my brow, requesting further information, Ryan cranks his head to Alex. Alex’s top lip twitches as he runs his hand over his head. He huffs before shrugging, giving permission for Ryan to divulge additional confidential information.
Ryan’s gaze returns to me. “One of the captives was Rodney Parvok.”
My nostrils flare when I inhale a big breath. Rodney was a rookie officer working alongside Theresa the year before she was removed from her position of detective at Ravenshoe PD. He falsely testified during her incompetency hearing, trying to save the woman he was secretly infatuated with. It was fortunate that the security in my apartment is impeccable, so I had surveillance evidence to corroborate my claims against Theresa.
