Page 72 of The Hate We Breathe
NOLAN
Viks eyes where I have Juliet perched on my lap, but doesn’t comment as he addresses the room. “The investigation into Calloway’s death has stalled out,” he announces. “Rylie’s been able to hack into SPD’s reports and they don’t have shit. Juliet is their only suspect.”
“I didn’t—” My hand slides around Juliet’s waist as she attempts to jump up to defend herself and I pull her back into my chest.
“Hush, Princess,” I warn her. “We know you didn’t kill him. You were with us when he died.” The reminder that she has an actual alibi and that this group isn’t the one that needs convincing is enough to get her to calm down somewhat. Still, she remains stiff in my arms and on my thighs, her back ramrod straight even if her hair flutters against my cheek.
If I had my way, I’d carry her into a bedroom and lock the door behind us and fuck her until she couldn’t remember her own name, much less all of the bullshit we’ve been dealing with for the last several months. Unfortunately, that’s not an option. We have to face the music and we have to gather information that will help in the inevitability that she ends up on the stand, accused of murder.
“Lann came to her work,” I say, redirecting the conversation. “We’re pretty sure he’s convinced she did it. Did you get anything from him when you called, Abel?”
Abel’s expression darkens as he sinks his chin atop his wife’s shoulder. “I’ve tried everything. Lann’s stonewalling me. Won’t budge on any further details about the case. He won’t give me anything that isn’t already public record either.” He scrubs a hand down his face, frustration cracking through the lawyer polish. “We’re blind here.”
“Darrio Vargas is becoming another issue,” Viks says. “We looked into the information that friend of yours provided, Juliet.”
“Margo’s not my friend,” Juliet says absently, as if the denial is the first thing that pops into her mind. Then she shakes her head and refocuses on the man. “What did you find, though?”
Viks glances to the lavender-haired woman that Abel is practically humping on the couch. I roll my eyes. He’s almost as bad as Lex.
Rylie, in response, leans forward and grabs the laptop sitting on the coffee table. She flips it open and pulls it into her lap as her fingers fly over the keyboard and mouse pad. “I managed to hack into Calloway’s phone records. There are several phone calls to a burner phone that’s not registered—if we assume the witness did actually see Morpheus Calloway meeting with Darrio Vargas, then we can also assume that was the primary method of their communication.” She rakes her teeth over her bottom lip before glancing away from the screen.
“However, we don’t have concrete evidence,” she admits with a wince. “At this point, it’s only conjecture and puzzling the pieces of what we think we know. To accuse Darrio Vargas of murdering Morpheus, we’d have to find a motive.”
“Calloway tried to kidnap and then kill Juliet a few months ago,” I snap. “I’m sure Darrio probably provided him with the names of the men who could pull off that job.”
The burn of Juliet’s curious gaze sears into the side of my face, but I don’t look back at her as I focus on Abel’s little hacker. Rylie shrugs. “Possibly,” she answers. “But again, there’s no irrefutable evidence. That’s what we’ll need if she does have to take the stand.”
“Darrio threatened us.” A low growl sticks in my throat as my grip on the woman in my arms tightens. “I’m sure he was behind his own son’s attack.”
Juliet lifts a hand and places it over one of my forearms, her cool palm stroking back and forth. Her scent invades my senses. I breathe it in and slowly exhale, feeling some of my violent urges ease.
“He’s not going to be an issue for now,” Viks states. All eyes fall on him.
“What do you mean?” I demand.
“With the information you gave us about his plans for his drug running, I managed to track down his contacts in Eastpoint.” His gaze flicks, deliberately, to me before shifting away. “Right now, he thinks he’s still got a pipeline to the city, but it’s not happening. Eastpoint isn’t his to touch and it never will be, but, for now, we’ll let him think he has a chance. It buys us some breathing room.”
Juliet inhales. “Breathing room for what?”
Silence stretches in the too large room, the cool temperature of the nearly empty house sitting heavy on our shoulders. Juliet glances back at me. “Nolan?”
I shake my head and her brow furrows, irritation flashing in her gaze. “What the fuck are we doing here if you’re not telling me what the plan is?”
“You’re here because all crimes need to start somewhere,” Abel says, amusement clear in his tone. I send the other man a dark glare as Juliet whips her head in his direction.
“Fucking thanks,” I snap.
He winks—fucking winks. Asshole.“You’re welcome, kid.”
“What crime?” Juliet sinks her nails into my skin and I wince, but don’t pull away. If digging her claws into me will give her any sense of relief then I’ll let it happen. Damn—maybeI’mjust as bad as Lex too.
“Morpheus’ house is under lockdown and I haven’t been able to hack into some of his more secure files from the outside,” Rylie says. “So, we need someone to break into his house and give me an in.”
Juliet goes still against me. “Break in?” she repeats.
“The guys are covering for us right now,” I say. “If anyone asks—we both went home with fevers.”
“Wait—what?” Juliet’s head turns to me and back to Rylie. “You wantusto break into Morpheus’ house?”
