Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Aiden tilted his head, still scrutinizing Nick. “We have new intel that Daniels actually didn’t get several of the missiles off the base. They were just hidden for a while, and somebody in the JAG Corps helped him do it.”
Nick shook his head. “Nobody in the JAG Corps would’ve done that.”
“Your name has come up, Counselor,” Saber said smoothly.
“My name has come up,” Nick repeated slowly, with more than a hint of sarcasm.
I leaned forward before things could get ugly. “Give details, please.”
“We have intel that lists Nick Basanelli as somebody who helped facilitate the movement of the missiles by using his cover as a JAG officer,” Aiden said.
I looked at Nick. “This is insane. Where in the world did you obtain this information?” Then I focused on my boyfriend. Maybe I’d get him a lump of pine needles for Valentine’s Day.
“I’m not willing to share my sources at this point,” Aiden said.
“Aiden, you know Nick wouldn’t do this,” I protested, forgetting my role as an attorney for a moment.
He stared at me. “Counselor, I think you might be emotionally involved in this.” He looked at Nick. “You’re going to need another lawyer.”
Fury lanced through me, heating my face. I calmed and took a deep breath. “He has a lawyer. Now, either you share your intel so we can help you figure out why it’s wrong, or we’re leaving. If you even think of arresting my client, I promise the ATF will not be prepared for the lawsuit I’ll drop on your ass.”
Nick leaned back and sighed.
I glowered at Aiden. “For the record, I don’t need a ride home.”
Aiden gave me a ride home, facilitated by him lifting me after exiting the building and walking to deposit me in his truck. Nick and Tessa headed for his vehicle as if they wanted to talk. I would’ve fought Aiden more, but I figured I should give those two some space. Hopefully Nick wouldn’t propose tonight.
The moment should be special. I crossed my arms after putting on my seat belt and did my best to ignore Aiden all the way back to his place. I could only stare at the snow for so long. “You ruined the proposal,” I finally burst out as he pulled to a stop in front of the cabin.
“I’m sorry.” He exited the vehicle.
“Yeah, well, that just isn’t good enough.” I jumped out, sliding a little and then catching myself on the ice. The snow continued to fall, and I blinked my eyes against it, setting my stance. “You know Nick better than this, Aiden.”
“Come on, let’s talk inside.” He took my hand, and we hurried through the snow and inside the well-secured cabin.
I kicked off my boots and shrugged out of my coat as he did the same, and then I headed unerringly to the kitchen to open a bottle of merlot while he moved to the fireplace and started a fire. I poured two glasses and carried one over to him. “I’m mad at you.”
“I noticed,” he said wryly. “But the sooner I got out in front of this, the better for Basanelli.”
“You want to help him.” I dropped to my butt on the now refurbished wooden floor, my legs crossed and back to the wall.
Aiden sat on the floor near the fireplace and extended his long legs. “I can’t really talk to you about this since you’re representing him.”
I took a sip of the merlot. It was okay. I couldn’t remember where I’d gotten it. “Come on. Don’t you think it’s a terrible coincidence that Richard Basanelli’s body was found, making Nick a murder suspect, and now this case magically appears? In addition, the mere fact that you’re investigating him, considering the ties we all have, is another weird coincidence.”
Aiden took another big drink of the dark red wine. “It’s not a coincidence that I’m investigating because my unit is here, and so is Basanelli. That’s an easy one. But,”—he looked off into the distance—“I admit, I don’t like the coincidence of the murder investigation and this new information about Nick coming to light at the same time. The timing is too perfect.”
I warmed to the subject. “Who would be trying to hurt Nick? The real killer, right?” It’s the only thing that made any sense to me. “Who’s your source?”
Aiden shook his head. “I can’t tell you that, but—”
“You don’t know,” I said softly, catching something in his tone. He blinked once. I leaned toward him. “You have no idea who the source is, do you? It was anonymous.”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that.”
I knew it. Who wanted Nick out of the way? I needed to organize my thoughts for this case. “Can I use your laundry room?”
“I think of it as our laundry room,” Aiden murmured, his gaze hot.
Heat flushed my face. “All right, our laundry room.”