Read Online Forsaken by Sarah Ballance - Free Book Online

and the rusted out ’48 Ford sitting beside it served to confirm the first impression, not improve upon it. They weren’t apt to draw attention.
    He grabbed the gun and Riley’s note—two things that never left his side—and stuffed them in their respective spots in his jeans. Then he met Riley behind the truck.
    She slung her bag over her shoulder with a groan. Gripping the handles with both fists, she said, “Tell me there’s an RV in there.”
    He laughed. “No such luck. Come on.”
    Maverick waited at the door. His short dark hair looked as if he’d run his fingers through it a time or ten. At thirty, he had about five years on Gage.
    Today it looked more like twenty.
    Gage had that effect on some people.
    “Maverick, this is Riley,” he said, suddenly wishing he could erase some of the details he’d shared about her. Never in Gage’s wildest dreams would he have expected to bring Riley here. “Riley, this is Maverick Nevarra, the boss man.”
    While Riley and Maverick exchanged pleasantries, Gage watched Maverick, who didn’t so much as glance at the spectacular sight of Riley’s breasts cupped by the thin tank top. Good man .
    Maverick turned to Gage and glared. “You need to return my phone calls.”
    Gage shrugged. “I’m on vacation.”
    Maverick glared in return. “Want to make it permanent?”
    “Yeah, right. I’m your best guy. I’m the first one you send out.”
    Maverick snorted. “You’re damn right you are. Otherwise, you’d be hanging around here where I’ve got to look at you.” Turning, he held open the door for Riley, who looked none too excited about entering the shack. “I should have reminded you of your vacation when you asked me for another truck,” he grumbled, the words barely audible.
    Gage grinned and followed Riley, knowing what was ahead.
    A small room past the door acted as a mudroom and matched the exterior of the house—lilting floor and all. But through the next door lay a transformation—a small, open living area with perfectly square walls.
    Maverick gestured toward a sofa and a couple of chairs. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything?”
    Riley sat on one end of the sofa, still looking a bit shell-shocked.
    “I’ve got it.” Gage followed Maverick to the open kitchen on the other side of the large room. “Between you and me,” Gage said in a low voice, “how bad is it?”
    Maverick crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “It’s not good. Riley is wanted for questioning in two murders.”
    “Can’t say I’m surprised about that. I know she didn’t kill the sheriff, though. I was right there when it happened. Is she a suspect?”
    “The body was found locked in her house. I’d say they’re pretty damn interested in her story. What about the other murder? William Lawton.”
    “Billy. She didn’t do it. Have they picked him up yet?”
    “They’re taking care of him. I’m sorry for your loss.”
    Gage opened the fridge and managed to stop short of grabbing a beer. He swore and pressed his forehead to the cool metal. The demons he thought long buried were circling. He thought of Riley, and his arms already felt empty without her.
    God help him if the truth came out now.
    Turning to Maverick, he asked, “You got anything to eat? We only had a few bucks between us and spent it at the thrift store. Didn’t want to leave a plastic trail.”
    Maverick raised a brow. “Yeah, go sit down and I’ll see what I can find.” He dropped a hand on Gage’s shoulder and leaned closer. “Have you talked to her about…”
    Gage glanced at Riley and his heart twisted, pushing bitterness into his throat. “Assume she doesn’t know a thing, and let’s plan on keeping it that way.” Ignoring the surprise on Maverick’s face, Gage swiped a couple of water bottles from the fridge and crossed the room to join Riley on the sofa. He handed her a drink and accepted an uncertain smile in return.
    Relaxing into the cushions, he propped his feet on