Page 86 of Tapped

I look out the window and see him parked on the street behind Micah’s SUV.

When Micah said he was taking me somewhere this afternoon, I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this. A backyard bar-b-que with federal agents, a police officer, and their families. The gathering isn’t huge, but it’s certainly not small.

“It’s unnerving having someone watch you all the time, even if it’s a good guy. How are you doing?”

I turn to the beautiful, young blonde with her hand resting on her swollen belly. “I’m sorry. It’s still foreign to have people follow me. I can’t help but wonder what this week will be like.”

We’re at Brax and Landyn Cruz’s new home. It’s in an up-and-coming neighborhood with street after street of houses that aren’t big but aren’t small either. They just moved in a couple months ago, but you’d never know. It looks like they’ve lived here for years. They needed an extra bedroom for their daughter who’s due soon. Family pictures litter the space, proving the pregnant woman in front of me is living the dream. Their son, Brian, has a full head of dark hair and looks exactly like his father.

Brian is a rambunctious little boy who’s younger than Chase. Besides a couple teenage girls who have claimed their real estate on the large sectional and have focused on nothing but their phones since we got here, the group is made up of federal and local law enforcement.

I met Tim Coleman and Brax Cruz at the DEA office the day I tortured myself by listening to my husband explain in detail how he wants his family dead. Tim’s wife, Annette, and their two teenage daughters, Samantha and Teagan, are here. Rocco is younger than the rest of them. He arrived late and finished two plates of food before the rest of us finished our first.

Landyn grabs my hand and pulls me back to the kitchen. “Forget he’s out there. Let’s get you another drink.”

I’ve had two glasses of wine and do not need another one. I’m not a big drinker unless Cadence is encouraging the party.

But nothing screamsfill me uplike your life spiraling to hell, being forced to send your son away to keep him safe, and hooking up with a strange man who’s becoming less and less strange by the minute.

“I’d love another drink, thank you. Everything was amazing. I feel bad I didn’t bring anything, but Micah didn’t tell me what we were doing or where we were going.”

Landyn looks back at me with her impossibly bright blue eyes. Pregnancy really looks good on her. “Please. Brax did everything on the smoker. Everyone else brought the sides. I guess that’s the good thing about being this big—everyone wants to wait on me.”

The lunch spread at the Cruz home is more than this group could possibly eat if they tried, and I’ve sampled all of it. I was starving by the time we walked through the front door almost two hours ago.

Donuts, no dinner, and sex can really take it out of you.

Landyn pours me another glass. The wine has chilled me out enough that I’ve slowed down apologizing for everything.

For not bringing food, dessert, or even drinks.

For showing up uninvited.

For my asshole husband.

There’s so much to apologize for.

I take a big gulp. “This is good. Too good. Don’t give me another one. I can’t be new and stupid among strangers.”

Landyn lowers her voice. “No one here is going to judge you. Everyone knows what you’re going through.”

I raise my cup to her, as if she’s drinking, which she certainly isn’t. “At least I have an excuse.”

She leans in farther. “But what we don’t know is what’s going on with Micah.”

I lower my voice in turn. “That makes two of us.”

I jump when Annette comes up behind me and joins our conversation. “Is she talking? Because I have to know.”

Landyn’s gaze shoots to Annette. “Not yet. But she’s on her third glass of Chablis. I have high hopes.”

Annette turns to stand shoulder to shoulder with Landyn to face me. She might be ten years older than me, tall, and fit with long dark hair. I heard her talking about pickleball when we walked in.

I should introduce her to my sister.

Annette looks from Landyn to me and points over my shoulder. “I’ve known Micah since he started working for Tim in New York. I’ve heard that he’s had women in his life from time to time, but he’s never…” she pauses for effect and pins me with her dark eyes, “neverbrought a woman to one of these things. And we get together a lot.”

“I haven’t known him as long as Annette has, but I agree. I’ve never seen him with anyone,” Landyn adds.

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