Page 24 of Nails

“No, it’s okay,” she said, exhaling slowly.“It’s not a secret.It’s just personal.”

He nodded, staying quiet.

“It’s a case,” she said softly.“One I’ve been working on for a long time.Since high school, actually.And what initially piqued my interest in law enforcement.”She picked up her coffee and took a sip before continuing.“My mom was murdered when I was six years old.Right in front of me.”

Nails didn’t say anything, just set his mug down and waited.

“She and I were leaving a movie theater, and a guy came out of nowhere and pulled a gun.He didn’t say anything.He just shot her, point-blank.”

The memory hit hard, like it always did.She has never really opened up with anyone about it.

“I gave the cops everything I remembered.But I was just a kid, and the guy was wearing a mask.Nothing ever came of it.There’s been no arrest.No closure.When I got older and could understand more of what happened, I made a promise to my mom that I wouldn’t ever stop looking until justice was served.”

When she looked at Nails again, his jaw was tight, and his brows were furrowed.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.“What about the rest of your family?Dad, siblings?”

Riley snorted sarcastically.“I had my dad.And I was an only child.Well, at that time I was.About a year after we buried my mom, my dad remarried.When Linda, my stepmom, and her daughter, Amber, who was two at the time, moved in, I slowly became the forgotten child.My dad would always make comments about how I was a reminder of my mom, and it upset him.”

“That is just fucked up,” Nails said, looking angry.

He wasn’t lying.It was fucked up.

She gave him a small smile.“As soon as I graduated high school, I walked out of the house, and to this day, I have never returned.”

He reached over and covered her hand.His touch brought a bit of calmness to her.

“I’m so sorry, Riley.You shouldn’t have had to go through that.And alone?That’s heavy.”

Riley nodded, her voice low.“It was tough.But I survived and here I am.”

He looked as if he were thinking about something.Then, after a moment, he leaned forward slightly.“I might know someone who can take a look at the case.His company specializes in cases like this.Among other things.”

She hesitated.“You mean like a private investigator?”

“Not exactly,” he said.“But he’s got access to databases and tech that most don’t.Might be worth a shot.”

Riley chewed her bottom lip, debating.She wasn’t getting anywhere on her own.Every time she thought she found a break in the case, it fizzled out.

“Are you sure?”she asked nervously.“I mean, I don’t want to be a bother with it.”

He smiled.“I’m positive.”

She nodded.“Okay.Thank you.”

He nodded once, quiet but firm.“Anytime.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, both of them nursing their coffee, the tension from earlier slowly disappearing.

Riley let her gaze wander over his strong hands, the way he sat like he was still on high alert, but softening a little more with each minute.He didn’t crowd her.Didn’t push.And that made her want to lean closer.

This was just supposed to be a thank-you coffee.But as she watched him sit there, taking up her space like he actually wanted to understand her, she felt something unexpected tug at her chest.

I like having him here.

Suddenly, her stomach growled.It was loud enough to make her blush.She put a hand over her stomach.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.