Read Online Forgotten Secrets by Robin Perini - Free Book Online Page B

himself not to sweep her into his arms. Instead he settled for “I won’t say congratulations.”
    “Thanks.”
    He wouldn’t push. Yet. Soon, she’d need to talk. He nodded toward his SUV. “Let’s go.”
    After opening the door for her, he slid onto the seat beside her. The fog of anticipation for her arrival had dissipated, and he studied her closely, taking in details he hadn’t noticed during those first few seconds. She’d scraped her hair in a knot at the back of her head, outlining her hollowed cheeks. Over the last year, she’d lost weight she couldn’t afford to lose. Her eyes were bloodshot, but that wasn’t what startled him. The deep-seated circles under her eyes, the tightness of her lips, the tension stiffening her neck and back—she carried an edge to her that had nothing to do with determination or drive.
    “You look like hell,” he blurted out.
    “I’ll survive.” Riley turned in her seat to face him, expression solemn. “I need you to listen. I’ve been thinking nonstop on the flight here. I’ve never investigated a case that’s this personal. Except my sister.” She sucked in a deep breath. “If I’m going to help, I have to take a step back from you and our relationship. I don’t know of any other way to remain objective.”
    The words punched Thayne in the chest. “This isn’t how I imagined our reunion would finally happen,” he said, frowning at her.
    She threaded her fingers through his and squeezed tight. “I’ll do my best to help find your sister. I promise you that.”
    “I know you will.” He cleared his throat. “I should brief you—”
    She placed a finger against his lips. “Stop. I have my own methods. I don’t want to know anything about the kidnapping. Not yet. I need to see the crime scene first.”
    “Won’t it help to go in with the maximum intel possible?”
    “Expectations color my perception. I want to see every element with fresh eyes, no preconceived notions.”
    So much time lost, though. His lips pursed.
    “You look skeptical.”
    “Every minute is precious. Cheyenne’s been in those bastards’ hands for an entire day.” He fought to keep his voice calm, when inside he wanted to punch out a wall.
    She touched his shoulder, stroking him with the comforting warmth of her hand. Her caress soothed his burning anger, if only for a moment.
    “You called me for a reason,” she said softly. “I investigate differently. Let me do my job, my way.”
    “It’s just—”
    “Your sister. I understand.”
    What could he say? She did understand. Her personal investigation into her own sister’s abduction was the reason they’d met a year ago. Thayne started the engine and flipped on the sirens, speeding toward Singing River.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you were stateside?” Riley asked softly. “Because that deputy’s uniform looks lived in for more than twenty-four hours.”
    Thayne winced, knowing he had no excuse. “Two months ago, Dad came down with myocarditis, an infection in his heart. He’s recovering, but the doc in Casper ordered him to take a leave of absence from anything physically strenuous. I had a ton of leave built up that I had to use or lose, so I volunteered to wear a temporary badge and help take the pressure off the rest of the office.”
    “Two months,” she said under her breath. “So that’s why you’ve been able to call every week and didn’t mention any missions. I assumed you were deep in classified ops.”
    “I’d planned to tell you, but you’d just picked up that serial killer case—”
    “Don’t put this on me.” Riley tilted her head to look at him, challenge written on her face. “What’s the real reason?”
    He shoved a hand through his hair. All he could do was be honest. “I wanted to see you again, be with you, but I didn’t want to screw up a good thing,” he admitted. “As crazy as it sounds, long distance works for us. Hell, I haven’t had a relationship last for an entire year.