Page 31 of Dangerous Affair (The Phoenix Three #2)

Q uinn chewed on her thumbnail—a nervous habit she’d broken years ago—as she waited with John in a small conference room at The Phoenix Three, a room she’d never been in. Grayson had told her it was where they met prospective clients.

It was an impressive room. She wasn’t sure what the small table that sat six was made from, but the finish was a glossy black lacquer.

The walls were painted a soft gray, and the six cushiony leather chairs around the table were slate gray.

Abstract paintings in subdued colors hung on the walls, and a mini fridge was tucked under a counter that matched the table.

A fancy coffee maker sat on the counter, and cups and glasses filled two open shelves about the counter.

Grayson was right. The sheriff would see that The Phoenix Three wasn’t a fly-by-night operation, but would that matter? She’d be the first to admit she was terrified. What if the sheriff manufactured evidence against her? She so did not want to go to prison.

John reached over and pulled her arm, taking her finger away from her mouth.

“It’s going to be all right, Quinn. You’ve got three of the most formidable men I’ve ever met circling the wagons around you, protecting you, especially Liam.

” He smiled, and it was such a sweet smile.

“Then you have me. They might be the muscle you need right now, but I’m the brains, and I take no prisoners. We got you, okay?”

Something about his quiet assurance calmed her.

“Okay.” When she and Liam had met with him earlier, they’d told him everything.

He knew about Jasper’s conversation she’d overheard, the thumb drive, the contaminated water, Jasper kidnapping her…

all of it. He’d agreed that the sheriff didn’t need to know about all of it at this point, only that Jasper had fixated on her and had kidnapped her after she’d ended things with him.

She didn’t like having to lie, even if it was only by omission, but agreed it was necessary for now.

Liam came into the room and put his hands on her shoulders.

“The sheriff’s coming up in the elevator now.

I’m going to insist that he interview me first so that you have an established alibi before he meets with you.

” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You got this, but if you feel threatened at any time, walk out. I’ll be right outside, and I’ll get you out of here. ”

“Liam,” John said, a warning in his voice.

“I don’t care,” Liam said, staring John down. “She needs to leave, she’s leaving. End of discussion.”

John let out an exasperated sigh before he smiled at her. “Didn’t I tell you they’d protect you, especially this one?”

“You stay in here.” Liam squeezed her shoulders. “I’ll come to you as soon as I’m done.”

“Okay. Where are you meeting him?”

“In the war room. We’re giving him a kind of tour by me meeting him in there, and then bringing him here to talk to you.” He winked at her, then left.

“I have to go with Liam,” John said. He touched her arm. “It really is going to be okay.”

Alone now, she dropped her head down on the conference table. How could they know it was going to be okay? What if the sheriff didn’t believe Liam? Even worse, what if both she and Liam were arrested for Jasper’s murder?

“You hanging in there?”

She lifted her head and forced herself to smile at Grayson. “Yeah. Everyone keeps telling me it’s going to be okay, so I’m going to believe it. Do you think Liam’s going to get in trouble?” All he’d done was rescue her, and she couldn’t bear the thought that he’d be in trouble because of her.

“He’s going to be fine.”

“I hope so. Did you meet the sheriff?” When he nodded, she said, “What was your impression?”

He slid into a chair across from her. “I don’t want to scare you, but I’ve always believed it’s better to be prepared than not.”

“Oh, God, that bad?”

“’Fraid so. He’s got an attitude, so be ready for that. John will be with you and will put a stop to any questions you don’t want to answer. Just keep to the script we’ve already gone over.”

“What if they arrest me?”

“They won’t. They can’t, not today anyway.

First, they don’t have any evidence that you killed Garrison other than an anonymous phone call that you were in that cabin.

Second, they personally can’t arrest you.

They’d have to go through our local police with a warrant for your extradition to West Virginia.

If they had that, they’d have gone straight to the Myrtle Beach police.

Should that happen at some point, we’ll fight it with every tool available. ”

“I can’t thank you guys enough for what you’re doing for me.”

He tsked at her. “Not necessary. You mean something to Liam, and we protect those we care about. Would you like a cup of coffee while you wait?”

“No thanks. I’m jittery enough as it is. I wouldn’t mind some water.”

“Coming your way.” He stood and went to the mini fridge, grabbed a bottle and brought it to her. “Help yourself if you want more. There are also sodas if you’d prefer one of those.”

“Thanks. You don’t have to babysit me,” she said when he sat back down.

“How about we just sit here and talk until it’s your turn. Maybe take your mind off things for a while?”

“If you don’t have other things you need to be doing, I’d like that.”

“Nothing pressing. Anything you’d like to know about The Phoenix Three?”

“Lots of things. Liam told me about you guys being kidnapped when you were teens, and that was why y’all joined the military. Were the three of you all Marines, serving together?”

“No, we each joined a different branch of the military. Liam the Marines, Coop the Army, and I was in the Navy.”

“Liam said he was a Marine Raider. Were you and Cooper also in special ops?”

“Yes. Coop was an Army Ranger, and I was a Navy SEAL.”

“I would’ve thought you’d want to serve together after what you went through.”

“That was the plan at first, but then we decided we could learn different things if we each joined a different branch, then come back together and start The Phoenix Three.”

“Liam told me what Phoenix Three does, and I have to say that I’m in awe of you guys.”

“Pretty sure Liam is in awe of you.” He grinned. “He showed me some of your photos that are out there, and I see why he’s impressed. The attention you bring to children in need is something the three of us can fully support.”

“Thank you. It’s—”

Liam came in, followed by John. She jumped up. “Are you okay?”

He held up his hands. “No handcuffs, so I’d say yes. Are you?”

“I was freaking out, but then Grayson came in and talked to me. He took my mind away from what might be happening to you. I guess that was on purpose.” She gave Grayson a grateful smile, and he winked, confirming that was why he’d stayed with her.

“The sheriff made a pit stop, but will be here in a minute,” John said. “Liam’s laid the groundwork, and all you have to do is tell the story we talked about.”

“Did he believe you?” she asked Liam.

“He doesn’t want to, but he doesn’t really have a choice. We’re each other’s alibi, and unless he can prove we’re lying, which we aren’t, he’s got no case against you.” He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her. “I’ll be in my office waiting for you.”

“I wish you could stay in here with me.”

“Me, too, but I won’t be far away.” Liam kissed her forehead, then left.

“Please excuse me, as well. I need to check for our visitors,” Grayson said, exiting the conference room.

She dropped back into her chair. She should’ve asked Liam to run away with her, go to the Highlands in Scotland, where a county sheriff couldn’t find her. They could raise those adorable Highland cows with the long bangs.

John slid into the seat next to her. “Don’t let the sheriff rattle you.

If he tries to intimidate you, I’ll step in.

Anytime you’re not sure what to answer, you can say ‘I don’t know,’ or ‘I don’t remember.

’ Don’t let him make you feel guilty for anything.

You didn’t do anything wrong. He has one of his deputies with him, and he’ll try to make you uncomfortable by staring you down. Ignore him.”

“I’ll be happy to.”

The door opened, and Grayson stepped inside. “Miss Sullivan is waiting for you in here,” he said as a uniformed man walked in, followed by a younger man, also in uniform.

The sheriff wasn’t what she’d expected. She’d formed a picture of a good old boy, maybe a little overweight, average height, and going bald.

He wasn’t any of that; instead, he was tall and lean, with a full head of salt-and-pepper hair cut short and icy blue eyes.

Although there wasn’t any warmth in those eyes, they were sharp with intelligence as they raked over her in a calculating way. She needed to be careful with this man.

“I’m Sheriff Lamott, Miss Sullivan. Before we start, I’m going to read you your rights.”

“Why? Is Miss Sullivan a suspect?” John said.

“At this time, she is a person of interest.”

“Then you’re just here to interview her, not interrogate her, correct?”

“For now.”

“Then no need to Mirandize Miss Sullivan if this is only an interview and she isn’t a suspect.”

John had told her that he’d do little things to throw the sheriff off his game, and he was doing just that if the sheriff’s obvious annoyance was any indication.

“Fine.” The sheriff glared at John, then turned his attention to her. “Miss Sullivan…may I call you Quinn?”

“No. I only let my friends call me Quinn, and I don’t think you’re my friend, sir.”

“Very well. Do you know why we’re here to talk to you?”

The deputy standing against the wall crossed his arms, drawing her attention. She pointed her finger at him. “Who’s that?”

Sheriff Lamott narrowed his eyes, apparently not appreciating her question. “That’s Deputy Dough. Don’t concern yourself with him.”