Read Online Out of Focus (Chosen Paths #2) by L. B. Simmons - Free Book Online Page B

Dalton is back to address that past. Possibly to avenge the death of his best friend by wiping away the existence of Silas Kincaid and his organization.
    And to do that, he would need the help of local police.
    I nibble on my lip as the pieces slowly begin to click together.
    In all of his conversations, Detective Lawson never seemed particularly worried about Dalton’s disappearance. Which now, if my theory is true, would make complete sense if they’ve been working together this entire time.
    But Lawson is also fiercely protective of Spencer, which means he wouldn’t allow Dalton to show his face again in this town unless she was safe.
    Another click.
    It’s not Dalton’s face, it’s Liam’s .
    Oh my God.
    Dalton is working undercover for Lawson.
    I glance back at Grady and narrow my stare, studying him.
    And as I do, I become more convinced of my theory.
    Lawson would need a team behind him to take Silas down. That has to be Grady’s connection to Dalton. They’re both cops. It’s the only thing that makes sense. So as the conclusion is drawn and cemented in my mind, I candidly ask, “Is your name really Grady Bennett?”
    His face falls serious and he answers without a lick of hesitation. “Yes.”
    The lack of his uncertainty regarding my question is all I need. Each piece of my theory clicks together. And once it’s formed, Dalton’s re-emergence and Grady’s role in his revenge are presented in an undeniably clear picture. The puzzle is finally complete.
    I lean closer to him, and for a beautiful life lost and for the past five years of happiness stolen from my friend, I state on a stern whisper, “I hope one of you shoots that motherfucker right between the eyes.”
    Grady’s mouth jerks upward in clear understanding before he confirms, “You got it.”
    “Good.” Satisfied, I nod, then relax back into my seat before continuing. “I will ask you nothing else, other than this. Is Spencer in any danger?”
    He shakes his head and responds, his tone a bit angered. “Dalton planted the flyer for my class on Spencer’s windshield so she would be capable of protecting herself in the extremely remote chance she would need to do so. Your apartment has been secured and is being watched by my men twenty-four hours a day. We’ve taken the necessary precautions to keep both of you safe.”
    I fight a smile at the mention of the flyer, because that is such a Dalton move. But when he mentions the nightly stakeouts happening at my apartment, my head jerks in surprise. “You’ve been watching my apartment?”
    Grady’s mouth quirks and when my eyes fall directly to his perfect lips, the heat from before resurges between us. I swallow deeply as he slowly inches forward, the warmth of his body searing my skin as he hovers near me. Then those lips pass my own to land on the shell of my ear before he whispers, “ My men watch your apartment.”
    He chuckles and his heated breaths fan my ear, sending a wave of goosebumps rising along my skin. “For the first time in my career, I was forced to take myself off surveillance. Because while my main objective was to keep an eye on your surroundings, all I could focus on was beautiful, irresistible you. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from you, and because of that, my involvement was compromised.”
    By this point, I’m no longer breathing, so as soon as he retracts his presence and is once again relaxing in his chair, a whoosh of air enters my lungs. After drawing a long breath in and releasing it, I do the only thing I can do.
    I blink.
    Grady chuckles.
    I blink again.
    Then I clear my throat and break my one-question rule, again. “Exactly how long have you been watching me?”
    Grady leans forward, pressing his forearms on his thighs and lacing his hands so they dangle between his knees. Then he opens his mouth and completely blows my mind.
    “I’ve been watching you long enough to know something broke you. Something you keep hidden, something that weighs on