Witness Protection (The Witness Series) (15 page)

“Oh look at you, all grown up and cop like.”

Nate laughs. “Yeah look at you, all grown up with boobs.”

She shoves him. “Bully, I am so glad you are home.”

She turns to me and beams. “Is this Maya?”

I step forward.
“Nice to meet you.”

She hugs me close and I laugh, hugging her too.

“We are the same age, my
God
we have to share so much. Not about Nate though.” She laughs.

“Sounds good to me.”

“Ryder!” She beams and I see a distinct flush cross her cheeks, uh oh, Nate’s sister has a crush on Ryder.

“Hey sis.”
He grins, hugging her and planting a smacking kiss on her lips.

“You look hot, any special woman in your life?”

I look away.

“Nah.”

Nah?
Wow why didn’t he just kick me?

“I am Imogen by the way, I am so glad to have a girl around.”

I force a smile.
“Me too.”

“Boys!”

I see another woman coming down the stairs, who is just an older version of Imogen. She takes Nate into a long, hard hug and he holds her close.

“Ma, I have missed you.”

“Oh my boy, all grown up. I missed you too.”

“Hi there Lucy.”
Ryder grins.

“Oh my other boy, look at you, all scary with tattoos.”

He laughs and hugs her close.
“Soft at heart Luc, soft at heart.”

She chuckles and pulls back to stare at me. I smile and feel nervous under her gaze.

“And you must be Maya, well look at you, gorgeous! I am Lucy.” She smiles, putting a hand out.

“It’s a pleasure Lucy, thanks for having me.”

“Anytime honey, anytime.”

“So I hear you have a man now?
” I hear Ryder say to Imogen.

He takes her arm and walks off, still refusing to look at me. I swallow and smile at Nate, who is hugging his ma again.

“Where’s dad?”

“Out and about, he will be home soon. Come in, it’s so hot out.”

“It’s nice.” I murmur, enjoying the sun.

“I suppose it would be after that big city smoke.”

“You know it.” Nate grins.

We get our
bags and Lucy takes us through the beautiful house, with its wooden floors and old country furniture. It has a warm feeling, a loved feeling. I suddenly miss my family like mad. Lucy shows me to my room and I promise to be back out once I have freshened up. I shower in the old shower with pale green walls and then dress and sit on the old springy bed. It’s all old but it is so comforting. I pull out my phone.

Sa
ndy
, I miss you x

I miss you
too,
it is sooo boring around here without you.

I am out on a ranch, can you believe?

Oh my
God
, horses and all?

Horses and all.

Hot cowboys?

Hot cops.

Hmmmm
, jealous much.
So, which one are you shacking up with?

Ones gay Sandy, remember.

So Ryder then?

Ryder.

Oh la la,
I bet he is spicy to kiss.

Oh yeah.

Oh my
God
you lucky bitch!

Right?

Lol, I have to go, mum says hi baby.

Tell her I will ring soon. I love you guys.

You too xx

I put down my phone and swallow back my tears, I miss my damn family. I stand and brush back my hair, pinning it to the side and I run my hands down the light summer dress I am wearing. With a deep breath, I walk out. Everyone is in the kitchen, with the addition of a new older man, who I assume is Nate’s father. Ryder’s eyes run over me, and then hold mine for a long, long moment. I drag them away to smile at everyone else.

“Well lookie, this must be Maya.” The older man says walking over.

He is handsome for his
age,
his hair is darker than Nate’s and his mother and sisters. It is more a light brown. His eyes are almost black and his skin is sun worn but he has handsome features. I smile and take his extended hand.

“I
am,
how are you sir?”

“Call me John, and ain’t it nice to see such a pretty girl.”

“What about me
pops
?” Imogen teases.

“You are the prettiest doll.”

John winks at me and I laugh. I sit down beside Nate and shove him with my shoulder.
He grins and takes my hand. We sip coffee and eat apple cake, chatting about the drive up and the case. I hear a car pull up outside and Imogen stands.

“That must be for me.” She smiles.

“Is that boy here again? Don’t trust that one, not one ounce.” John grumbles.

“We are just
friends
dad.”

“He better be a good one,” Ryder mutters. “Or I will knock him out.”

Imogen blushes. “He is
nice,
stop all this macho man business.”

She walks out and I sip my coffee again, I am half way through swallowing it when she comes back in with a very handsome bloke. A bloke I know. I spit the coffee all over the table and begin choking and coughing furiously. Nate pats my back and rubs it until I stop my coughing fit.

“Are you ok love?” Lucy worries, wiping up the coffee.

“Maya?”

I curse and glance up at the man who has
spoken,
Chance Spencer stands in front of me. Years on and the man still looks exactly the same. Blonde hair, ice blue eyes, big solid build. He was the most handsome boy in school and I knew he would grow to be a handsome man.
Pity
about his cold personality.

“You two know each other?” Imogen asks.

“Um, yeah.
Maya, it’s been a while.”

“
Err
, yeah. I’m sorry why
are you
here?”

“I know
Imogen,
we go to the same college.”

“You go to
College
?” I snort a laugh.

“Yes, I am studying agriculture.”

I r
oll my eyes and stand. “I just
need a minute.”

“Where do you two know each other?” Nate asks, giving me a look.

“Oh sorry, I haven’t introduced him.”
Imogen smiles.

“I wouldn’t.” I mutter.

“No, please do.” Ryder says in an ice cold tone.

“This is Chance, he and I are study partners.”

“Mother fucker.”
Nate growls.

“What is going on? Son
watch
your mouth.” Lucy snaps.

Ryder is on his feet and tearing around the table in a second, he grips Chance’s throat and yanks him close.

“Ryder!” I yell, rushing over and gripping his arms.

“
Whoa
son.”
John says, pulling him back.

“What is going on?” Lucy cries.

“You fucker, I ought to break your neck.” Ryder hisses.

“WHAT IS GOING ON?” Lucy screams now.

“Why don’t you tell them all CHANCE?” Nate snaps.

“Stop,” I cry, throwing my hands up.
“Stop!
I don’t need that spilled around the room so just stop. Imogen, I knew Chance in
high school
. He and
I,
had a relationship and it didn’t end well. It was in the past where it will stay.”

“Maya, what happened back then…
”
Chance begins.

“Don’t you dare
speak!
” Ryder growls.

“Ok, ok, enough,
” Imogen snaps. “Chance, what happened?”

“I said don’t, it is my business and it is in the past.” I yell.

“I had sex with her, and my friends took photos and everyone saw. She left school because of the taunts and names. It was a mistake.”

John turns now and his fist connects with Chance
’
s face. I stare wide eyed and shocked. Ryder blinks and Nate stiffens.

“John!” Lucy cries.

“No man should ever disrespect a woman like that, get out of my house boy and don’t you come near my daughter again.”

“Imogen.”
Chance says, pleading.

“Get
out,
I thought you were a good one.”

“It was years ago, I was young and stupid. Maya, I am sorry.”

“Leave!” Imogen yells.

Chance wipes his bloody lip and turns to walk out. I shove my way from Nate’s arms and stalk down to my room, I can’t believe it. Of all the people Imogen would know, it had to be Chance. I just can’t catch a break. A knock o
n my door an hour later stirs me
from my thoughts, Imogen walks in with a beer and chips.

“I thought you could use this.”

I smile weakly. “Thanks.”

She hands me a beer and I take it, she sits beside me with the bowl and we just sit in silence for a long moment.

“Imogen I am sorry, I am sure you liked him…”

“No, to be honest I really didn’t. He is hot and all but I saw how he behaved with a girl I knew, he was a study partner and was trying hard to get with me but I am not stupid. I want you to know I am not mad, and I am sorry about what happened to you.”

“It’s hardly the way to meet
someone’s
family. I feel like a fool.”

“No, you shouldn’t. My family isn’t like that, and we all really like you.”

“I am sorry.”

“Don’t be.
Honestly.”

“Sorry again.”

She waves a hand. “Tell me something good, we have all this beer and chips.
Maybe about you and Ryder?”

“Oh, no…it was just a fling.”

“
Ryder loves you.”

I blink at her. “Excuse me?”

“Ryder, he
is in love with you
.”

I shake my head. “No, I think you have it mixed up.”

“No, we all saw it. When Chance came in, and introduced himself you should have seen
Ryder’s
face, the way he flew around that table…”

“Imogen…”

“Ok, ok…you will see it in your own good time.”

“
It’s
confusing.”

“It looks it. Ryder is a good bloke, be kind to him.”

“I will.”

“Then we will be just fine.
Another beer?”

We sit and drink beer and eat until we are giggling like children. I like Imogen and we have a good connection. When we finally emerge from the room, I can smell a barbeque cooking and I can hear laughter from the deck. We walk out to see the three men sitting and chatting. Music plays in the background, it has a good feel,
the
whole scene just feels right.

“Well there you two are.” Nate grins, walking over and tucking me into his arm. I can smell beer on his breath and I know he is drunk.

“We were having gir
l time, where is the good music?
”

“Oh, I got a good one.”

I watch Nate go and change the song, when
“A thousand miles” comes on, Imogen squeals and begins singing. Nate joins in, pressing his hand to his heart and belting out the tune with her. I laugh.

“Come on Maya, everyone
knows
this one.”

Nate walks over and sings right in my face, I can’t help but laugh and join in. He is so loveable, so Nate. He wraps his arm around me and
we
all being singing loudly.

“Coz I would walk a thousand miles if I could just see you, tonight.”

I catch a glimpse of Ryder and he is giving a lazy half smile at us, he looks happy, finally. We continue to sing and dance until dinner is served. We all sit down to a
gourmet
barbeque prepared by Lucy.

“Oh Lucy, this is amazing.” I compliment her.

“Thank you love.”

“Good ma.” Nate says with a mouthful.

“Chew your food properly son.”

I snort a laugh and then we all erupt again.

“My children and adopted children have all had too much to drink.” Lucy grins.

“I’m sober Luc,
” Ryder says, patting her hand. “We can’t control the feral ones.”

“Hey!” Imogen giggles.

“Well at least I have you Ryder.
”