SEIZED Part 6: A Steamy New Adult Romantic Suspense Thriller (Seize Me Romance Fiction Series) Read Free Page A

too well, and those conversations will be used against me when I tell him I want to get serious with Brenda. Part of me thinks it’s too old-fashioned—having to practically ask his permission to date his sister. But at the same time, I can respect it. He’s looking out for her.
    That’s why we’ve been holding back. I try to support her where I can, be a friendly voice on the end of the phone. But we both want much more. Each time we meet the attraction is more intense. I need to come clean with Blake now. He’s going to find out if we don’t tell him. I’m positive of that. And if it goes down that way, everything will blow up. I decide I’ll take the afternoon off.
    This time I take my Department-issued car. When I get there, I park as close as I can to their favorite section of the park. I know where George will be, and I spot him almost instantly. He’s such a good kid. Brenda and Blake have done a great job. I see her before she notices me, and spend a long moment looking at her from a distance. Her small, slim frame is perked up as she watches over George. It makes me smile.
    I make my way over and sit beside her. The energy changes right away. It’s like the air crackles between us. We smile at each other, and I know we’re going to have the same old conversation.
    “Hi,” she says it shyly, looking over at me.
    “Hi.”
    The urge to pull her into my arms is so strong, but I hold back. We look at each other for a moment, and then turn our focus to George. He’s playing in the distance.
    “So did you say something?” She asks.
    I shake my head, “Nope. You know I can’t yet. Please understand, it’s not that I don’t want to see you. I just have to time it right. We can’t be sneaking around. I don’t want to feel like we’re some secret to keep hidden from your brother.”
    She nods slowly. “I know. You’re right. I just can’t help thinking it’s hopeless. He’s never going to agree, Ryan. I don’t want to hurt him and I’m scared it’ll ruin your friendship.”
    I wish I could make it better but I can’t. Not unless I man up and say what needs to be said to her brother. She’s not alone. I don’t know what to do either—risk my oldest friendship for a chance to date her, or stay silent and watch her from afar, wishing she were mine.
    As I think this, she places her purse between us. It provides a shield, a small gap of privacy, just in case George looks over at us. If George suspects anything, it’s game over and we wouldn’t dare suggest he hide anything from his uncle. My heart speeds up in my chest when I feel her fingers in my hand. Her skin is warm and soft. I enclose her hand in my own, lacing our fingers together in secret. Until we tell Blake, no one can know about us.

Chapter Three
    Blake
     
    Time is crawling. The Internal Affairs interview is getting closer. My last encounter with them comes to mind, now that I’m about to face them again in less than an hour. I’d be a fool to be anything but prepared for the worst. But it doesn’t faze me.
    All I care about right now is that Carrie is still missing. I’m more anxious with every day I’m away from her. The muscles in my shoulders are so tight, it hurts to stretch. My body is always the first to go when I’m tense. It’s like an emotional barometer. First my shoulders tense up, then my back muscles follow, and before I know it, I’m like an accordion of pent up stress and worry—about my girl.
    I still haven’t heard back from Gary, my union rep. It’s clear to me now—this was IA’s intention when they scheduled the rush meeting. I could refuse to attend, and would be well within my rights. The problem is that my refusal can also come off as avoidance on my part. What I don’t understand is why they’d put me in this position.
    I try the cell phone number listed at the bottom of my union rep’s email one more time. No answer. Fuck! I don’t need this. I could be spending my time looking for Carrie.