Page 171 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“Thank you…” I stop talking since I have no clue how to address her.
She fills in the blank reasonably quick. “Regan.”
My heart plummets into my stomach.Of course, the most stunning woman on the planet has to be Isaac’s lawyer.
A touch of laughter crackles Regan’s voice when she murmurs, “You’re not too bad yourself.” I want to crawl under a cushion and die when she adds on, “Isaac said you like to babble under your breath. I’m glad I had the pleasure of witnessing it firsthand.”
Embarrassment seeps deep in my veins. I’ve never been more mortified in my life. “I’m sorry. I…” I stop again, having no plausible excuse for my idiocracies.
Regan once again opens the gates of heaven when she smiles. “Okay, I get it, but how about we settle everything from the get-go. This…” she gestures her hand between herself and the two-way mirror, “… has never happened.” Her stare leaves nothing on the table. It’s brimming with honest truths and a dash of amusement. “It willneverhappen.”
“Why?” I slap my hand over my mouth, mortified I asked my question out loud instead of in my head. My curiosity can’t be helped. If Regan isn’t interested in Isaac, she’s either gay or mentally unstable. Considering she’s here to represent me, and the fact she’s drop-dead gorgeous, I’m praying for the former.
Regan balances her elbows on the table, building the suspense. “For one, I too have a fondness for blushers.” She winks again, loving that it sets my cheeks on fire. “Two, I don’t sleep with the men I work for. Considering Isaac is my only source of income ensures I wouldn’t sleep with him even if he paid me to.” She screws up her nose like a nasty taste just hit the back of her throat. “And last, but certainly not least, there’s only one alpha allowed in my bedroom at a time. I don’t know about you, but I don’t see Isaac relinquishing his title anytime soon.”
Like a freight train smacking into me, the truth finally dawns. I know why I felt like we’ve met before. From the strands of her perfectly flawless hair right down to her red Milano Bianco pumps, she’s the female version of Isaac. The expensive, tailor-made suit and unique-colored eyes should have given it away, let alone her commanding personality and striking features.
I don’t need affirmation to my claims, but if I did, Regan stacks them up by saying, “I also believe in the whole opposites attract notion. When I look at Isaac, I see my brother.”
When she gags, I laugh. Not just because she has no sexual partialities for Isaac but because Theresa’s bogus charges won’t have a chance in hell of remaining when put against two powerhouse personalities like Isaac and Regan.
“Wowzers.” Regan’s eyes bulge as she drinks in my smile. “That smile alone is worth every goddamn penny you spent, Isaac.”
My smile slackens. “What money did he spend?”
She snickers before fiddling with some papers she removed from a leather briefcase at her side. After clearing her throat, her eyes lift and lock with mine. “Okay, let’s get down to business.”
Yep! She’s one hundred percent a female version of Isaac—skirting questions and all.
“Were you officially charged with murder, or were you brought in for questioning?”
I lick my parched lips, hoping a bit of moisture will ease out my next set of words. “They charged me with murder.” My fingers are still stained with ink from when they took my fingerprints and mugshot earlier. “They said a bullet from my Bureau-issued gun killed Megan.”
CHAPTER4
ISAAC
Restless, I suck in big breaths, trying to find the calm I need to assess Isabelle’s confession with more diligence. Up until ten seconds ago, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Everything Regan said to Isabelle is true. I also look at Regan as if she is the sister I never had. She’s most definitely a female version of me. That’s why she’s the best person to defend Isabelle. She’s cocky and arrogant, yet brilliant at anything she does, but even she will have a hard time getting this type of evidence squashed.
I shoot my eyes to Ryan, wondering if he knew about the bullet they located. If he did, he’s a damn good actor. He only left my side for five minutes to call Regina, the now-retired police officer, to inform her of Isabelle’s arrest. Other than that, he stood at my side, watching over Isabelle as if he too is as panicked as me.
He’s not—but once again, he’s a brilliant actor.
Ryan shakes his head to my silent interrogation. “I don’t know anything about the case other than what I overheard.”
“Can you get on this case?”
He winces. “I don’t know, Isaac. It could be a conflict of interest. Not just me knowing you, but I dated the accused.”
My jaw flexes as quickly as my fists. “My relationship was never made public, so as far as the police department is concerned, there’s no connection between any of us.” I gesture my hand between Isabelle, him, and me. “And as for thatonedate you and Isabelle had, it wasn’t impressive enough foranyoneto payanyattention to it.”
My arrogant tone matches the angry glimmer in my eyes—a glimmer that only grows more rampant when Ryan remarks, “It may not have been memorable for you, Isaac, but I’ll always remember the taste of those lips.” When I step closer to him, prepared to rip his fucking nuts off with my bare hands, he holds his out in front of himself. “I was joking, Isaac. Come on, we’ve been playing this game for years.”
“This isn’t a game.” I point to Isabelle sitting in the middle of an interrogation room. “She’s not a fucking game.”
Guilt darkens Ryan’s eyes, then regret highlights his tone. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That was highly inappropriate.”
I don’t refute his accurate statement, but his remorseful words slide through me like water, drowning my anger to a more manageable level.
