White Lies (A Twisted Fate Series) (Volume 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

somehow. I’d met his superior once in the precinct when I needed the accident report from when someone rear-ended me.
    A headache bloomed in the back of my head as I sat in the chair and took the offered coffee from Mildred. “I’ll go to the station tomorrow and see what’s going on.”
    Carson ran a hand through his hair and looked at me with caring eyes. “I’ll go with you if you need me to.”
    I never knew what I did to deserve Carson as a best friend. Alex and he had gotten along great prior to him being deployed. After we were married, Carson was one of the major things we fought about. Alex wanted him out of my life, saying Carson wanted me. The notion was insane. I refused to give an inch on Alex’s request regarding Carson. There was nothing sexual between us. Never had been. Never would be.
    A sigh left my lips, and I took a sip of my coffee while a bowl of stew was set before me. The steam rose as the meaty aroma filled the room. Nonno raised his eyebrows at me as he had the last couple of nights when it was dinnertime. Begrudgingly, I ate. Carson joined us, sitting across from me. I listened, not adding much to the conversation, as Nonno asked Carson about his latest trip to Italy. A vineyard came up. Some wine. Honestly, I zoned out, thinking about what I was going to say to Commander Taylor tomorrow.
    “Do you remember the restaurant we found in Little Italy the summer we went with Dad to a business meeting, Willow?”
    The question brought me back into the conversation. Carson smiled at me. The delicious ravioli we found. “They had the ham stuffed cheese ravioli we devoured. Your dad had some delivered for us every week from then on out because we wouldn’t stop hassling him to take us back.”
    I remembered Carson and me eating until we lay on the floor, stuffed and moaning in pain from too much ravioli. Carson’s dad, Bennett, had thought we were insane, filling ourselves like we did.
    I giggled.
    Carson’s grin grew wider. “You’re remembering how we ate until we nearly popped.”
    “I do. We were ridiculous about that ravioli.”
    Winking, Carson took another bite. I was glad he was here.

 
     
    S itting in the driver seat, I looked at the 24th Precinct, where Alex’s boss, Commander Taylor, presided. I thought about Alex breaking the news to me about his new job as an undercover cop. A week after we got married, Alex had taken it without consulting me. I was furious but had let it slide because of his PTSD.
    I sighed as my phone rang and sent it to voicemail. It was Carson. This morning, I’d left before he woke, needing some time to get my thoughts together. I’d asked him to stay the night in his old bedroom my parents had kept for him growing up. Having him and Nonno there helped. Tension in my neck grew as anticipation bloomed. I wasn’t ready to speak to anyone until I got this over with.
    I quickly typed out a text so he wouldn’t worry.
     
    Me: I’m okay. At the precinct. I’ll be home shortly.
    Carson: Thanks for texting me. Wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m going to head to my place to get some things if you still want me to stay at your house.
    Me: Thanks, Carson. I’d like for you to stay a little longer if you can. It means a lot that you’re here.
    Carson: Wouldn’t be anywhere else. I’ll be back to your place as soon as possible.
     
    I knew he meant it. There was no telling what was put on hold business wise for Carson to leave early.
    I got out of my car and headed up the concrete steps to the state-of-the-art police station. Hopefully, Commander Taylor remembered our brief encounter and would give me something a little more than the “investigation was still open” like the other officers had done over the phone.
    The reflective glass doors greeted me. I was dressed in jeans and a yellow summer blazer with my hair pulled back in a ponytail. Any happiness was devoid from my body language. Sadness rolled off me in droves. But I knew I had to keep