Page 13 of Tapped

“Ididn’t do it! I don’t know where you got your information from, but I love my family. I’d never do anything to hurt them.”

Jeff is red in the face as his voice booms through the speaker. We’re watching on a closed-circuit TV from down the hall as my husband is being interrogated. I was introduced to the agent in charge, Tim Coleman, before this shit show started.

I stare at the man I forced out of our home just hours ago.

My husband.

The father of my son.

“How is this happening?” I mutter.

Micah shifts to stand at my side. “You okay? You’re not going to pass out again are you?”

I shake my head but can’t look away from the television as Agent Coleman keeps talking. “It’s paid in full, isn’t it?”

Even from over the monitor, the color drains from Jeff’s face.

“How long ago did you arrange this?” Tim goes on. “You have a very small window to cooperate, and that window is closing. Tell me who you paid, and you might not die in prison from old age.”

My husband is vain. I’m sure the thought of old age makes him sick to his stomach, let alone aging in an orange jumpsuit. Jeff starts to panic. “No. I have no idea what you’re talking about—”

“Hold that thought.” Tim holds up a finger to quiet my husband and reaches to the laptop sitting in front of him. He opens it, clicks a few keys, and flips it around to Jeff. “Listen.”

Only because Micah told me my husband was being tapped do I have a feeling what’s to come, and he still hasn’t told me why they’re tapping him in the first place.

I hold my breath.

I’m afraid.

Afraid of the proof I so vehemently demanded.

Proof that will be life-changing.

Or even worse, life-ending.

For me and my sweet boy.

A voice, who I don’t recognize, fills the interrogation room.“I told you—these things take time. He’s working on it, but this one has been harder than normal.”

“It’s been months. I can’t fake it any longer, and I can’t stand being in that house with her. I signed a prenup. Her father forced it on me—this is my only way out, and I’m sick of waiting.”

For the second time today, I find it hard to breathe and force myself to pull in much-needed oxygen.

For the second time since I married Jeff, another man put his hands on me. A large hand slides across my lower back and wraps itself around my hip in a firm grasp.

Jeff’s expression falls. All he can do is stare at the laptop that’s playing his own voice. His private conversation.

His order to kill.

“You’re sure you still want the kid included in the job? This is your last chance to change your mind.”

I can’t help myself. I lean into Micah’s wide chest. I need the support right now more than I did back at the house. He wasn’t kidding when he said he had proof.

Jeff has the decency to hesitate, as if he at least mulls over the fact he wants to kill Chase too.“Yeah. Fresh start. I don’t need the burden.”

My hand flies to my mouth as I choke out a muffled cry.

The stranger on the recording sighs.“Your orders. I’ll let my contact know. But that’s going to be another quarter of a million.”

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