Page 23 of Nails

He chuckled as he settled onto one of the stools at the island.She poured the coffee and handed him a mug, then slid onto the stool across from him.

A brief pause hung between them.

“So…” he began, eyeing her over the rim of his cup.“You’re in law enforcement.”

She blinked, surprised he knew that.“I…wait, how did you—?”

“Mom,” he said, looking sheepish.“She might’ve mentioned it last night.”

“Might’ve?”she teased, narrowing her eyes playfully.“So, you’ve been asking about me?”

He shifted in his seat like it was suddenly too small.“Not exactly.You know my mom.She can be talkative.”

Riley smirked.“Oh, I know how she can be.”

He lifted his coffee, but then his gaze dropped slightly.It lingered for just a second on her chest, near the neckline of her tank top, where the edge of her bruise peeked out.

Riley’s smile faded, and her hand instinctively brushed over it.

“I didn’t mean to stare,” he said quickly, his tone sincere.“It’s just, Mom said you were injured.During some sort of situation.”

Riley huffed a quiet laugh.“That’s one way to put it.She makes it sound like I stubbed my toe.”

“In her defense, she seemed upset about it.”

“Oh, she was very upset about it.I don’t like making her worry.”She set her mug down and started to explain.“It happened during a drug raid that my partner and I were assisting with.It was a huge operation.Anyways, I found myself pinned down in the basement with three suspects.”

“Alone?”Nails asked.

She nodded.“Yeah.Anyway, long story short, three suspects were killed, and I was shot in the vest, earning this little beauty.”She pulled the neck of the tank down a smidge, showing more of the bruise.

Nails’ eyes widened.“Holy shit!Jesus, Riley.You’re lucky.”

“Damn lucky, because it was at close range too.”

Nails frowned as his fingers tapped his cup.“So, you’re local law?Sheriff’s department?”

“Not exactly,” she said, then hesitated.“I work for Homeland Security Investigations.HSI.”

That got a reaction from him as his brow lifted slightly.“No kidding?”

“Nope,” she said, her lips twitching at his reaction.“I double majored in criminology and computer science.After college, I applied for a computer job at Homeland Security.However, once I got in there, I realized that I couldn’t sit at a desk for eight to ten hours a day.I wanted to be in the action.I discussed the possibility of becoming an agent with my boss at the time.He agreed with me and put in the recommendation, and within a week, I was shipped off to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.I was there for about twenty-five weeks.I completed the FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program and the HSI Special Agent Training Program.I was first assigned to the D.C.office.But within six months, I was transferred to New York City.I was there for a few years, and now here I am.”

He gave a slow nod, looking impressed.“That’s badass.”

She shrugged, pretending to play it cool.But something about the way he looked at her made her feel like she’d just been handed a medal.Not for the job.For being seen by an outsider.

They chatted casually for a few minutes, primarily discussing Gullpoint.

Then his eyes flicked to the papers on the island.“Is that all work?”he asked, motioning with his chin.

Riley followed his gaze.There were folders and stacks of papers scattered on the far side of the island.She tensed, her fingers tightening around her coffee mug.

“No.It’s not official work,” she said, feeling a heaviness settling in her chest.

Nails must’ve noticed the shift in her voice.“Hey,” he said softly.“You don’t have to talk about it.If it’s off-limits, I get it.”

She looked at him and studied him for a moment, wondering if he really meant it.But all she saw was understanding in his dark eyes.