Page 20 of Shadows Redeemed
As the city streets flew by outside the window, she found herself caught between two brothers, between duty and desire, between the pull of the past and the uncertain promise of the future. She didn’t have the answers, not yet. But as they headed for the bar she found Parker at yesterday, she knew one thing for certain—things were about to get a whole lot more complicated.
CHAPTER TWELVE
PARKER SETTLED INTO THE passenger seat of Sage’s battered Chevrolet, his heart racing with anticipation. The leather upholstery was cracked and worn, but to him, it felt like the most luxurious place in the world, simply because he was with her. He breathed in deeply, catching the faint scent of Sage’s perfume mingled with the musty odor of old case files she had stashed in the backseat. She had never been that organized from what he remembered, but that had always been a part of her charm.
As Sage started the engine, he allowed himself a moment of hope. Once they cleared his brother’s name, maybe—just maybe—they could explore the connection that crackled between them like live wires. He’d felt it from the moment they’d met, at least on his end, even though she was dating his brother at the time. And now, it seemed she felt it, too. Perhaps not as long as he had, but there was something there now, though she tried to hide it behind her professional façade. That was all right. He could wait.
“So, how do you want to handle things at the bar?” He rubbed his hands along his thighs as he stared out the front window. “The Broussard kid had some extra muscle watching his back when I was there, so we’ll need to be careful.”
Sage’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Change of plans. I want to talk to someone first. Then, depending on what he tells me, we’ll see if we go day drinking or not.”
He felt his brows furrow as he turned to look at her. “We’re not going to the bar? But Dane said?—”
“I know what Dane said,” she snapped, cutting him off. “But I’m the one with contacts in this town. I know someone who might just have some information for us if he’s still got his nose in too many places like always.”
He frowned, a knot of unease forming in his stomach, worried about who she might mean. “Who?”
She took in a deep breath, and he could see her bracing herself. “I want to talk to Bryce.” She cast him a quick glance. “He might have some insights that could help us.” She sighed as she turned her attention back to the road. “He always had a way of hearing things others wanted kept secret.”
The name hit Parker like a punch to the gut. He knew the man. Had spent time with him even, learning what he could for a while. Bryce Anderson. A man his brother had bitched about countless times, calling him a “washed-up hack” and worse. His brother got really pissed when Parker spent a bit of time following Bryce around, trying to learn some investigative tricks of his own just in case. Jacob thought the man had too much of a stronghold on Sage’s thinking, and the fact she headed to him now didn’t sit well with Parker. Having spent time with the man, he had grown to agree with Jacob’s assessment of the investigator. Parker’s unease grew as she drove on, threatening to eclipse his earlier optimism.
“Sage,” he began carefully, already sensing this would be a touchy subject just by her actions, “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. You know Bryce and Jacob?—”
“Stop right there. I don’t give a damn what Jacob thinks. Bryce knows this city better than anyone, including yourbrother, and he’s always had my back when everyone else kept pushing me to the side. If there’s a lead we’re missing, he’ll find it.”
He opened his mouth to argue, then thought better of it. He’d never seen Sage this on edge before. Instead, he watched the familiar streets of New Orleans give way to less savory neighborhoods, the perfect setting for someone like Bryce. The vibrant colors and tourist-friendly façades faded, replaced by boarded-up windows and graffiti-covered walls.
As they drove deeper into the city’s underbelly, Parker’s misgivings multiplied. This was a side of New Orleans he’d only heard about from his brother’s stories, never experienced firsthand, even when he spent time with the old man. He glanced at Sage, noting the tightness around her eyes, the way her jaw clenched and unclenched rhythmically.
“What’s wrong?”
Her eyes flickered to him for a moment before returning to the road. “I’m fine.” Her tone lacked conviction. “It’s just… It’s been a while since I’ve been back here, since I’ve seen Bryce.” She glanced over at him, a sheepish look on her face. “He warned me about Jacob about as much as Jacob warned me about him. And I still have no clue how the two even knew each other.”
Parker shrugged. “They both worked in similar circles. I’m sure they had run-ins with each other.”
She nodded, but still didn’t look convinced. It was almost like something festered just below her surface.
He wanted to press for details, but something in her expression warned him off. Instead, he turned his attention back to the passing scenery, trying to quell the growing sense of foreboding in his chest.
Finally, Sage pulled the car to a stop in front of a dilapidated office building that looked as if the roof would collapse if anyone slammed the door too hard. The faded sign above the door read“Anderson Investigations” in peeling white letters, along with a couple of other businesses—bail bondsmen, payday loans, those type of establishments. Parker’s heart sank. This is where she hoped to get answers that would clear his brother? The place was one stiff wind from destruction.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” He turned to her, his brow furrowed. “Maybe he moved to a better, um, location.”
Sage snapped a hardened expression toward him. “Not everyone prefers fancy real estate. Sheesh. Bryce keeps it simple, so people trust him.”
He turned back to the building, thinking it wasn’t simple. It was condemnable. However, he bit back the retort, reminding himself that he was there for Jacob—and for Sage. If this was what it took to clear his brother’s name and have a shot with the woman he was rapidly falling for, he’d endure it.
They climbed out of the car, and Parker instinctively moved closer to her as they approached the building. The sidewalk was littered with cigarette butts and discarded fast-food wrappers, and a group of men loitered near the entrance, eyeing them suspiciously.
Unfazed by the men cluttering the front of the building, Sage strode purposefully toward the door. Parker hurried to keep up, hyper-aware of the hostile stares boring into his back, even if Safe ignored them.
The interior of the building was no more inspiring than its exterior. The hallway smelled of mold and stale smoke, and flickering fluorescent lights cast an unhealthy pallor over everything. Parker wrinkled his nose, fighting the urge to suggest they leave.
Instead, he followed Sage as she led him up a creaking staircase to the second floor, where a battered door bore the same “Anderson Investigations” logo as the sign outside. Shehesitated for a moment, her hand poised to open the door, and Parker saw a flicker of uncertainty cross her face.
“We don’t have to do this,” he whispered as he laid a hand on her arm. “If you’re not comfortable?—”
She shrugged off his touch, her features settling into a mask of determination. “I’m fine.” She reached out and jerked the door open, almost slamming it in his face.
