Read Online SEIZED Part 1: New Adult Romantic Suspense (Seize Me Romance Fiction Series) by JC Coulton - Free Book Online

to the hotel, we’ll see them, and we’ll be able to follow them right back to April.”
    I know how much she cares about her friend, so I throw that in as an extra reason to agree. Christ, I can just force her if I need to, but I want her on board with this. It’s absurd, but for some reason she matters to me.
    Just then, the door swings open and Lieutenant Jacobs pops her head in.
    “Anderson, I need a word.” She doesn’t acknowledge Carrie, but that’s not unusual. Jacobs is a woman on a constant mission. She probably wouldn’t acknowledge a bulldozer if it was in the way of her next task, so I excuse myself and slip outside to hear what she’s got to say.
    “I’m guessing you’ve already made the Jessup Lee connection?”
    I nod.
    “You got my note, then?” She doesn’t pause to acknowledge me, but continues, “The tech team was unable to gather any extra evidence. The scene was corrupted by the time they arrived, but that could also be because whoever’s after Jessup’s family is a seasoned pro. They wouldn’t send fools to do the job, and they won’t stop at anything if your witness actually has value.” She half nods toward the interview room. “Carrie James could be a prime asset for us, Detective. I want you to keep her with you until this is resolved. Right now, I don’t have much trust that anywhere is going to be safe unless it’s by your side. I’m going to suspend all your other casework in the meantime.”
    This is well out of my usual bounds of duty, and I can’t help feeling a little pissed.
    “What am I going to do with her?” I’m already shaking my head at the thought of it.
    “Take her home with you, make sure she’s safe, and then continue with your search for Jessup. Once she’s tucked into bed at night, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Detective, I know this looks like a trumped-up babysitting job, but you don’t want to be the guy who lost the best lead on Jessup we’ve had in years, do you?” Hearing her no-nonsense tone, I realize there’s not much point in protesting.
    “No. I don’t. No problem, Lieutenant, I’ll take her home,” I say, watching her turn and make her way off to complete the next task on her list.
    It’s not that I don’t want to be with Carrie. I just don’t know if I can trust myself around her. Our attraction may be ancient history, but the spark is still burning hot, and if I’m struggling to keep my eyes off her during an interview, how am I gonna cope with her in my house? Christ!
    However, I can’t deny that something in me is looking forward to getting her someplace quiet, no matter where it is, but before anything else she needs to fess up. The woman has more to explain than she’s admitting, I’m sure of it.
    Back in the room, I break the news, and I know it isn’t going to go well the second I see the look on her face.
    “You want me stay with you. Why?”
    She looks even more upset, and I’m miffed at her level of resistance.
    “I need to keep you safe, Carrie. There’s more to it than you know right now.”
    She bangs her palms down on the table, and this time I’m the one who jumps.
    “It’s time to stop this shit now, Blake. Before I agree to anything, I want to know what’s going on. You’re hiding something from me, I’m not stupid.”
    Tears flood the wells of her eyes but don’t escape down her cheeks. I can see the pressure she’s under to hold it together, and my body has a physical reaction to her distress. This time, I do reach across and touch her hand.
    “There’s something you need to know about April’s uncle.”
    She looks up at me and I try to work out where to begin.
    “I know you’re a reporter, but this needs to be off the record, Carrie.” For some reason, I trust her when she nods. “Jessup Lee doesn’t just own nightclubs.”
    She starts to interrupt me, but I cut her off.
    “We’ll have time for questions later. Just listen for now, okay?”
    She nods, and I proceed to take