Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,30

that statement worried her more than a security team was not something she cared to explore. There had been love between her and Noah almost from the first day. Kindred souls. Not romantic love, but just as enduring. This shift in their friendship didn't change that. She suspected friendship wasn't what Max meant.

"I care about him, too." She pressed her forehead to the cool glass. "And Max?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Please stop calling me ma'am."

She swore she heard him grin. "Yes, Miss Crowne."

***

"You told me the conviction was in the bag." Noah tossed his keys on the table and moved deeper into his condo. Two charter fishing trips after three guys called in sick with the flu was not on the agenda today. Neither was the impromptu phone conversation with his FBI contact, who was pissing him the fuck off. "Three weeks ago, you assured me it was finally done."

Noah rubbed the back of his neck. He never would've taken steps with Raven if he hadn't been handed the confirmation that the threat was all but gone. Then, out of nowhere, the tables turned and he'd been on edge ever since. His ulcers had ulcers. Those bastards could take her away from him in one pull of a trigger.

James McCannon sighed wearily into the phone. The flick of a lighter sounded, followed by the drag from a cigarette. He answered on an exhale. "Look, Noah. We weren't expecting Rizzoli to learn about where the evidence came from, nor the hit he put on you."

"No shit. But why does that matter? You said there were other witnesses and you had recordings of him talking about election funds." It should've been a slam-fucking-dunk.

McCannon's chair squeaked. "The timing of the contract is worrisome. His funds are tied up until trial."

Noah ground his molars to dust. "He got it from somewhere."

"And until we know who he hired, you need to stay on the down low."

McCannon had called with a "watch your back" warning just twenty-four hours after Noah had Raven in his arms. Finally. And there was Aubrey to take into account. He'd have to beef up security at her estate, even though Rizzoli didn't know the girl existed.

Raven was Noah's biggest concern at the moment. As his friend, she'd been off radar and of no consequence. In fact, so had Noah. Until he'd finally gathered enough credible evidence that the feds could lock the fucker up for life. Raven was under his roof now, and Rizzoli would have to be an idiot not to suspect. If there was a hit out on him, then Raven was already in the crosshairs. This was a clusterfuck, and he'd possibly put Raven right in their sights.

"I want to know if anything changes. And so help me, McCannon, if I find Rizzoli's contracted killer on Alaskan soil, the hell I'll deliver will make what Rizzoli's done look like a Sesame Street special. Got me?"

McCannon sighed. "Calm the hell down. Threatening a federal officer is a crime," he said lightly. When Noah didn't laugh, McCannon cleared his throat. "I know this has been a long time coming and it's been hard on you. Just hang in there. It's almost over. She's finally going to get justice."

"She'd better."

Noah disconnected and tossed his phone next to his keys. His late teens and entire twenties were buried neck deep in this mess, a mess that wasn't even his, and damn if he didn't want to start living his life without looking over his shoulder or putting those he loved in danger. He looked down to find his hands shaking. He fisted them and took a deep breath.

A glance at his watch told him Raven would be home soon. How long could he evade her curiosity? Part of him wanted to tell her everything, but the less she knew the safer she might be. He trusted her with his life, with Aubrey's if it came down to it, but he still had a gut feeling she didn't trust him. Not one-hundred percent. Regardless of the change in their relationship, she was holding something back. It pissed him off he couldn't figure out what.

Keys slid into the lock and the door opened. Raven stepped into the foyer and halted, Max on her heels. "You beat me home."

A funny thing happened in his chest when she said "home." He smiled, walking to her and taking her coat. She was moving slow and her expression was distracted. "You look tired."

"Yeah, long day. Not bad, just long."

Before he put