Read Online Between Friends by D. L. Sparks - Free Book Online Page B

down at my watch. It was almost one. I looked back toward where I’d just come from.
    â€œLincoln’s in the back with Nate.” I gave her a look that must’ve translated the confusion I was feeling. “I don’t know what the hell his problem is.”
    She twisted her face. “What is he doing here? Ain’t he supposed to be out chasing criminals or something?”
    â€œHe’s been acting funny ever since Trip got back.”
    Her eyes got big. “Trip Spencer?” She leaned back and laughed. “I know he ain’t happy about that shit.”
    I shook my head. “No, he’s not.”
    I looked around and watched the pulse of the crowd, getting lost for a moment in everyone dancing and partying like they didn’t have a care in the world.
    â€œWell, don’t let it get to you,” she reassured me. “Once this is over, and Trip is gone, he’ll be back to normal.”
    â€œYeah, let’s just hope that’s soon.”
    Just then, I felt Linc come up behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist, squeezed me close, and pressed his lips against my ear. The sense of relief, which started to wash over my body, was stifled when he whispered in my ear.
    â€œYou need to meet me back at the house, now.”
    My mouth fell open with disbelief. My stomach did a flip.
    Before I could ask what was going on, he disappeared into the crowd. Dionne gave me a look filled with questions, which I had no answers for.
    I had no idea what his problem was but Dionne agreed to do the last count down of the night and tip out the DJ for me so I could finish up in the office and head home. I slipped her the keys and headed out.
    When I pulled into my driveway over an hour later, Linc’s Yukon wasn’t there. The fact that he wasn’t home made my nerves worse. I woke India up so she could head home and I checked in on Cameron. He was sleeping peacefully, which calmed my nerves, but not much.
    As I was making my way back downstairs, Linc was finally pulling into the driveway. I went in the living-room and took a seat on the couch. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with him but he needed to get it out, whatever it was.
    Once he came in the house, I sat motionless and listened as he shed his night, layer by layer. The sound of the Velcro yielding the release of his bulletproof vest echoed through the foyer. Next I heard the sound of his handcuffs clanging against the tile in the foyer. His footsteps moved into the distance as he moved to the den. The next sound was that of the strongbox, which housed his Glock, being unlocked and relocked. It was then placed back on the shelf, where he kept it, out of Cameron’s sight and reach. He was barely three, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a master explorer and we made damn sure that gun was nowhere in his path.
    â€œIdalis!”
    â€œI’m in the living-room.”
    More footsteps.
    This time headed in my direction.
    I stood to my feet. My mind was running through every possibility of what his problem could be. His eyes were fixed on me, causing my face to flush hot. I took a deep breath and blew it out softly.
    He didn’t speak as he walked up to me.
    Then again, he didn’t have to say a word. The anger on his face said enough.
    â€œSomethin’ you wanna tell me?” he questioned.
    Slowly I shook my head. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Or why you’re tripping but—”
    His hand shot up and clamped around my throat. He cocked his head to the side and spoke, “I asked you a question shawty.”
    I reached up and wrapped my hand around his wrist. Fear gripped my body and rattled my bones.
    â€œI don’t know—”
    He tossed me to the couch and I bounced off the edge and hit the floor. “You don’t know what?” he demanded. “I can’t hear you Idalis.”
    My mind was in overdrive. I could feel my