Then he sat across from him. “Sorry about the delay but I was running through the case with Mariana.” The possessive tone and purposeful use of the woman’s first name set Raine’s teeth on edge.
Yet he kept his bored façade in place. “Lawyer. Want one. Now.”
The sheriff sighed. “Now Raine. Is that really necessary? Don’t you want to get this taken care of? I think in your own sick way, you care for Dr. Lopez. How about you tell me everything, and I figure out a way to help you here? I think you need help.”
Raine studied the man. His eyes had dilated when he’d said Mariana’s name. “You’re interested in her.”
The sheriff’s eyebrows lifted. “This is a case.” His eyes darted left and then back.
“You know, you’re not a very good liar.” Raine crossed his arms.
The door opened, and his brother strode in, briefcase in hand.
Raine looked him up and down. “What the fuck?”
Cade kept his serious expression in place. “I was close by.”
Raine’s nostrils flared as the reality hit him square center. “Were you, now?”
Cade had the decency to wince. “We thought it was a good idea.”
Oh, Raine was going to throw him through the door face first. “Who was with you?” Already he knew. Of course he knew. Cade and Collin were twins and rarely did stupid stuff alone.
“Collin,” Cade admitted. “We didn’t hurt anybody, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
The sheriff cleared his throat. “What the hell are you two talking about?”
“Nothing,” Raine growled. “It’s a family matter that we’ll talk about later.” With a punch or two to the face. The twins had kidnapped him and Mariana to force his hand. He might have to kill them.
Cade relaxed. “Yes. Family matter to handle later. Right now, let’s deal with this.”
Raine looked him over. “Nice suit.” It was gray and probably cost more than ten grand. When his brother played a part, he did it with style.
“This old thing?” Cade drawled.
The sheriff stood and puffed out his chest before holding out a hand. “Sheriff Baker.”
“Cade Maxwell.” Cade must’ve gripped too tightly when they shook, because the sheriff failed to hide his wince. “I’m Raine’s brother as well as his attorney. Well, one of his many attorneys. We do like to sue people.”
Raine cut him a look. Cade was twenty years younger at almost three hundred and eighty years old and was just as broad across the chest and as tall as Raine, but his hair was a burnished brown and his eyes a cerulean blue. “Get me out of here.”
“Not happening.” The sheriff retook his seat.
Cade strode around to sit next to Raine. “All right, Sheriff. Show me what you’ve got.”
The sheriff then proceeded to show them pictures of Raine in Dallas as well as the records search showing that Raine was never sentenced to anything in Indiana.
Cade leaned forward. “Well. This is a disaster.” He rubbed his smooth shaven chin. While Raine’s face was all hard angles, Cade had more of a rugged and square look to him. “I mean, it’s horrible.”
The sheriff smiled and looked at Cade with respect in his eyes. “Exactly. Help me to help your brother. The guy is sick.”
Raine sat back to watch. Why not?
Cade blinked. Once. Just once. “Why, Sheriff, I was talking about your case. I mean, come on. You have pictures of my client in Dallas, and none of them show Dr. Mariana Lopez in them. Well, except for this one in the bar. As you can tell, Raine is sitting next to what can only be considered a stunning redhead in a dress that was truly lovely, even if a size too small. He was on a date.”
The sheriff scoffed. “On a date at the same bar and restaurant Mariana was having dinner at with friends? On the same night?”
“It’s a hot spot for young couples,” Cade returned.
