EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: Hard Love

Excerpt

As I took a sip of coffee, a loud knock startled me.

“I’ll get it.” Blake set his mug down and moved for the door. Beyond the threshold stood a man dressed in a brown suit.

“Blake Landon?”

Blake’s stance in front the stranger was wide and defensive. “That’s me. Who the hell are you?”

The man narrowed his eyes at Blake, and my stomach burst into a flurry of nerves. Blake’s cockiness had no bounds at times.

“I’m Agent Evans. FBI.” He flipped open his wallet, revealing his ID. “Can I come in?”

“No, but you can tell me what the f*ck you’re here for.”

“Blake,” I hissed.

He ignored me, staring the man down in the way he so often did when it came to people he didn’t care for.

“I’m here to discuss the very curious results of the Massachusetts governor’s election.”

“What business is that of the FBI?”

The detective paused, a tight smile pulling at his lips. “When the results indicate voter machine tampering, it becomes the FBI’s business. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”

Blake’s jaw locked, resulting in a twitch. He glowered a moment, and my heart dropped into my stomach.

The man’s stare passed between us. “Mind if I come in?”

Blake didn’t respond, but stood away from the door enough for the other man to enter. Evans looked to be in his early forties. He was taller than I was, but short next to Blake. His eyes were shrewdly narrow as he scanned our yet-to-be decorated home.

“Can I get you coffee?” I twisted my fingers together, unable to hide my anxiety about his presence. Voter tampering? What the hell?

Evans offered a smile that did little to ease my nerves. “That’d be great. You’re Erica Hathaway?”

“Erica Landon,” Blake corrected. “She’s my wife.”

“Right. Congratulations.” Evans casually tucked his hands into his pockets. “Do you mind if I sit?”

Again, Blake didn’t reply, and Evans made his way to the couch. I brought him his coffee and perched at the edge of the adjacent chair.

He took a sip from his cup and looked up at me. “I understand you just returned from your honeymoon.”

“Can we cut the shit?” Blake said. “Why are you here?”

“Is there a reason why you’re being so contentious, Mr. Landon? I’m simply here to ask questions.”

“I haven’t had overwhelmingly positive experiences with the FBI.”

“I’m aware.” Evans’s tone was low and full of meaning. “Your reputation precedes you.”

He glanced at Blake, the look in his eye communicating something that perhaps only he and Blake knew now. No doubt it had to do with Blake’s rumored history as a computer hacker. He’d gotten into hot water years ago. But why would Evans be bringing this to him? Did he think Blake helped pull off election fraud?

My stomach roiled. I gripped the edge of the couch cushion as the blood drained from my face.

“Are you okay, Mrs. Landon? You don’t look well.”

I stood weakly. “I’m fine.”

“You should go.” Blake took a quick step toward Evans.

Evans rose on cue. “Sure. But you’ll be coming with me. Mrs. Landon, you as well.”

“Like hell. You can leave her out of this,” Blake shot back, anger brewing behind his eyes.

Evans took a step toward him. “Mr. Landon, you’re suspected of rigging the governor’s election. We have questions, and we’d appreciate your cooperation.”

Oh my God, no. I couldn’t breathe. Bile rose in my throat. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t possibly be happening…

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