Page 32 of Free to Judge

Leaning casually against the small conference table fashioned from polished mahogany—the very table my father insisted on because it reminds him of the one at Amaryllis Events—I notice the ease of his stance. Raking a hand through his tousled hair, he meets my glare head on. His low warning vibrates in the charged air. “I can’t tell you more than the bare bones, Kalie.”

The ease at which he addresses me should alarm me. Instead, it causes that annoying quiver to run up my spine. To tamper it down, I tap an impatient rhythm with my toe on the hardwood and cross my arms, my chest tight with indignation. “Why not?”

His jaw sets, and he grits out, “Because I don’t need another woman’s blood on my conscience.”

Instinctively, I lean forward in fear. “My cousin?”

“No—my partner’s.” The words hang in the air like a cruel twist. My lips snap open in shock before he exhales a steep, bitter sigh. “My name is Declan Conian and I’m an attorney?—”

“I know that.” Even as I bite out the words, a litany of emotions cross his face—steely determination, a simmering rage, and something elusive I can’t quite name.

He answers, “Before that, I worked for the FBI.”

My gaze darts away toward Liam, who ducks his head. Something rotten settles inside my stomach before I ask, “And who, exactly, do you work for now?”

“For the last three years, undercover with Hudson Investigations. I’ve been working to take down the Byrne family’s entire stronghold.”

A low, bitter laugh escapes me as I turn my gaze away from Declan to stare into my father’s eyes. “Of course you have.”

“Kalie, sweetheart,” my father pleads.

I slice my hand in the air. “Stop. You couldn’t be bothered to tell me the truth before.”

“I was trying to?—”

“So help me God, Dad. If you finish that sentence with ‘protect me,’ I won’t be responsible for my actions. You, all of you”—I let my gaze sweep around the room encompassing every member of my family—“have lied to us. Now, I want someone who hasn’t to tell me the truth.”

At first, no one speaks. “Well, that answers a lot. Let’s start with you, Declan.” I lean closer, voice low and probing. “You said youwereFBI. How did this band of misfits recruit you?”

Tension fills the space as his jaw clenches visibly. “It happened a few years after I saw you graduate from law school.”

His answer clearly shocks my father. “Wait? What? You two know each other?”

My eyes narrow. “We crossed paths prior to our—interlude—at the courthouse.”

“Kalie.” My father’s voice holds a note of warning. “Tell me everything.”

“No. Right now, I’m the one asking the questions.” My tone is absolute.

“I need to know everything about how you and Declan met.”

“Funny, you’ve had years to ask him that very question. Right now, it’s my turn. Why were you at Harvard that day?”

“I went to hear Director Skorniak speak. My boss at the time—Holder—suggested it would be enlightening.”

“And was it?” I challenge.

To my surprise, Declan quotes, “‘Judge carefully. Rule righteously. Ensure your heart, your mind, your expertise, and above all, the law will ensure future generations can live the life they deserve.’”

I give him credit for remembering what I consider to be the best part of the commencement speech, which leads me to ask, “Did you know who I was before that day?”

“I had no idea the woman who captivated me across the tent as she enthusiastically applauded was going to end up being the daughter of my future employer.”

I study him—the subtle bruise on his chin peeking from beneath a shadow of stubble. Declan’s breath shudders out. “It wasn’t until a few years later Liam contacted me.” He nods at the man in question.

I glance in Liam’s direction, who jerks up his chin in confirmation. Anger resurfaces. “Then why are you working to get the Tiberis released?” The words fall from my lips before I can restrain them. “If you stand for truth, justice, and the good ole Hudson way, why would you inadvertently harm our family?”

A mocking smile curves his lips. “You believe I’m actually working to help them?”