CrossFire (Love & Lies #1) (15 page)

“I can’t stay here anymore.”

“What?” he asked. “Stay where?”

“
Here
. In Renton, in Washington. I need to make a fresh start somewhere else.”

She looked at him, wondering what his reaction would be. He continued to stare at the road in front of them, his brows knitted together more in thought than a frown, or at least that what she hoped.

“I understand,” he said, slowly nodding.

“You do?” she asked. Was this it? Were they breaking up, after everything they had been though?

“Yes,” he said, reaching across for her hand. “But I hope you realize I won’t let you do it alone.”

“Really?” Jillian could feel the smile forming on her face. “You’d come with me?”

They stopped at a red light and Reid looked right at her. “You’re the only thing keeping me here, Jillian. If you’re ready for a fresh start, then so am I.”

Two weeks later Reid was loading the last of the boxes into a moving truck when Aaron pulled up on his motorcycle.

Reid set the box down and walked over to greet his friend, who he hadn’t spoken to since turning in his resignation.

“You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?” Aaron asked.

“I wasn’t sure you were speaking to me.”

Aaron’s fingers fidgeted with the strap of his helmet.

“So Denver, huh?”

“It was the one place that appealed to us both,” said Reid.

“I hear they have a great football team.”

“Don’t tell Jillian that,” Reid laughed.

“You sure she’s worth it?” Aaron asked.

“Without a doubt.”

As if on cue, Jillian walked out carrying a box. She dropped it by the others and joined the two men.

“Hey,” she said.

“I couldn’t let Jackson here leave without saying goodbye.”

“Of course,” she smiled.

Aaron stared down at his feet awkwardly before pulling Reid into a big bear hug.

“Good luck, man. I’m going to miss you.”

“Same here, Wells.”

Aaron let him go and after hesitating, pulled Jillian into a hug. She looked as surprised as Reid was.

“Take care of him,” Aaron told her. “And call me if you guys ever need anything.”

“I will,” she said.

Aaron stepped back, gave Reid one last handshake, and climbed back onto his bike.

Reid put his arm around Jillian as they watched him ride off.

“Are you okay?” Jillian asked and Reid looked down into her warm brown eyes.

“Absolutely. Are you ready for our next adventure?”

Her face broke into the same huge grin he fell in love with at the falls. “Absolutely.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Aaron Wells sat at the stainless steel table where Casimir was already seated and handcuffed to a bolted metal bar.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Casimir asked with a smirk.

“You look pretty smug for a guy who is going to rot in prison,” Aaron said.

Casimir shrugged. “If you are here, then I must have something you want.”

“I want to know who your buyer is.”

“What makes you so sure I had a buyer?” Casimir asked.

“Because we both know you’re in it for the profit,” said Aaron. “Why risk everything if you didn’t have some someone ready to fork over the cash?”

When Casimir didn’t respond, Aaron continued talking.

“Jillian Sandro said there was someone else on the boat. Someone reminding you not to fuck this up.” Casimir flinched when he said this. “Who was he? Was that your buyer?”

“Unless you have something to offer me,” Casimir sighed, “then we are done here.”

“Who gave up Reid Jackson’s name? Is it someone in the agency?”

Casimir shrugged. “I never bothered to ask.”

“What about your cousin, Morozov?” Aaron asked. “Maybe we can get him to talk.”

This made Casimir laugh. “Good luck with that. He is even better protected than I.”

“We’ll just have to see about that,” Aaron said as he stood, signaling for the guard to let him out. “Hope you enjoy prison food.”

As Aaron walked back out to his car, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed, even though he hadn’t really expected Casimir to give anything up. Hopefully he’d have better luck with Aleksandr Morozov.

Don’t Miss

No Way Out

The Second Book in the Love & Lies Series

When Aaron Wells finds an unlikely ally in Aleksandr Morozov’s wife, he begins to question Clara’s motives, and his own judgment.

Available June 2015

Also available by Alex Strong

Island Runaway

Acknowledgments

Being an independent author means I did this book all by myself, right? That couldn’t be further from the truth. This book wouldn’t be half as good without the support of many people. First I have to thank Cattigan for all her work on this series and helping me to see hidden sub-plots that did not help the story, but they sure were good for a laugh! Thanks again to my cheer squad, Andrea, Liz, and Tama, for believing in me and making me feel like I can pull this off. Thank you to Luke L. for helping to fix my mistakes and your invaluable input not just on this book, but the last one as well. I also want to acknowledge my friends and fellow writers from the Eastside RWA group. I have learned, and continue to learn, so much since becoming a member. And a big thank you as always to my supportive husband for shamelessly promoting my work to his friends and colleagues. I love you!

About the Author

Alex Strong has loved stories, whether she’s reading them or telling them, since she was very young. But it wasn’t until after the birth of her youngest son that she realized what she wanted to do most was be an author. Her past lives include working as a waitress, a sales clerk, and a nanny. Though she has been all around the world, including two years living in the Philippines as a child, Alex is proud to call the Pacific Northwest her home and lives in the Seattle suburbs with her husband, their two boys, and two fluffy dogs.

Stay In Touch

Alexstrongwrites.com

Facebook.com/AlexStrongWrites

@TheAlex_Strong