Page 28 of Mine to Save

“You’re telling me to back off. I can count on one hand the times you’ve told me to do that, and it’s always when you’re interested in asking a girl out.” Rhett arched a brow. “She’s gotten under your skin. I know you, bro, so don’t try to tell me she hasn’t.”

“Not the point.”

“It’s exactly the point. And there’s nothing wrong with getting to know her.”

“The timing is all wrong.”

“That’s not what you said when you and Melinda hooked up.” Rhett grabbed his helmet and smiled. “I’ll call you when I get back from Miami.”

“Be safe.”

“I always am.” He flipped up the kickstand and revved the engine before easing out onto the street and taking off.

Emmett rubbed the back of his neck and stared into the big picture window where he saw Trinity sitting at the breakfast nook, having a cup of coffee. She’d pulled her long hair into a braid that cascaded down her back. She palmed the mug and brought it to her plump lips.

Shit.

Emmett needed to get his head on straight. Trinity needed his help clearing her father’s name. She didn’t need him trying to get her into his bed.

* * *

Emmett joggedaround the hood of his SUV. He didn’t quite make it to the passenger side to open the door for Trinity, but he was able to offer his hand.

“Thank you,” she said.

“My pleasure.” He closed the door and pressed the handle, looking at the vehicle. “Remember what I said on the drive down.”

“To let you do most of the talking and follow your lead, and that whatever I do, don’t become antagonistic.”

He rested his hand on the small of her back. “Or sarcastic or have a tone like you do right now.”

“I’m normally not this hotheaded. Really. I’m not. It’s just that I can’t believe a federal agent would lie to a fellow officer. I don’t understand what’s going on, and it’s making me ornery.”

“I get it.” If he were in her shoes, he’d be pissed as hell. “But we need Robash to believe we’re not pushing her buttons, yet we’re not willing to be pushovers.”

“She lied, Emmett. And she’s acting like this is a slam dunk. How can we trust anything she says?” Trinity mumbled. “No offense, but it makes me not trust any of you.”

“I know.” Emmett let out a long breath. There was an occasional justification for lying to family members and victims of crimes.

But he couldn’t, for the life of him, come up with a valid reason for why Robash had lied to a fellow law enforcement officer about speaking to Trinity. That didn’t make sense.

Emmett signed them in at the front desk, and they made their way to security where he registered his gun and set it on the conveyor belt along with his badge and wallet, while Trinity emptied her purse into a bin. She walked through the metal detector first.

Then Emmett.

Neither one beeped.

He holstered his weapon and headed toward the elevator with his hand placed firmly on Trinity’s back. “The guard already called up to Robash. I’ll bet you five bucks she’s waiting for us when we get off the elevator.”

“You think she’s that anxious to see us?”

“Not to see us but to get rid of us, especially since we’re here without an appointment.” Emmett pressed the button five times as if that would make the damn thing come any sooner.

Federal buildings always made him nervous, which was stupid. He was a cop. But still. It didn’t matter that his mother generally worked well with all law enforcement agencies. His mom, as the chief of police, had to be more of a diplomat.

Emmett didn’t.

And he didn’t like playing nice in the sandbox with people like Robash.

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