Conflicting Interests Read Online Free Page B

back from her face. When his thumb brushed lightly
down her temple, she moaned quietly at the tender touch before she could stop
herself. He pulled back quickly as her hair fell back in place, tickling her
skin as it moved. His hand moved to her chin, tipping it up as his eyes took in
her throat. He pulled her chin back down and studied her eyes again.
    “Your throat looks like it’s going to bruise and your eye
looks swollen too.”
    “He was choking me and he punched me.”
    “I think you should go to the hospital and have it checked
out.” She shook her head. “You could have a concussion.”
    “No.” Her gaze flashed to his quickly. “I’m fine.”
    His lips pursed for half a second as he exhaled a deep
breath. “I’m going to have to ask you some questions. Are you ready to talk
about it?” She shrugged and at just that moment, Imogen burst through the side
door with an officer trailing behind her, annoyed at her flurry of panic.
    “You can’t be in here! And don’t touch that door!”
    “Trink!” She practically shrieked and Katrina stood walking
toward her. Imogen had tears streaming down her face. Katrina wasn’t even so
upset—until Imogen pulled her into a fierce bear hug. Then Katrina fell apart
too. Imogen was tall, nearly five feet ten inches to Katrina’s five feet four
inches and Imogen practically had her off her feet, smothering her in her long
blonde hair. She was stunning but just as quirky as Katrina and they were both
showing their weirdness at the moment. “I thought you were going to die! What
the fuck!”
    “Imogen, I’m fine. But I have to answer some questions for
the detective.” Katrina couldn’t believe she was being the calm one but
eventually Imogen released her death grip on Katrina, setting her back down on
her feet. When Katrina turned back to Detective Adler, she caught a small smile
on his lips before his face returned to his somber serious expression.
    “Trink is your nickname?” He spoke quietly to her as she
sank down beside him and Imogen took the armchair sitting off to the side of
the living room.
    “No…not Trink. I would have to actually be okay with someone
calling me Trink in order for it to be a nickname.”
    “Trink, you’re sure you’re okay?” She glared at Imogen but
caught the subtle smirk on Detective Adler’s face out of her periphery.
    “Imogen, this is Detective Adler. He’s actually Seth Adler’s
father.”
    “Oh!” Oh holy fuck. “He’s the one with the nice ass
who pissed you off the other night, isn’t he?” She was speaking quietly as
though they were sharing a secret of some sort. The problem was Imogen was
talking right in front of him as his eyes moved between them.
    It was entirely intentional and Katrina should have seen
that coming. Imogen was the consummate matchmaker, even if her means were a bit
unconventional, poorly timed and completely crude. Apparently Katrina’s near-death
encounter wasn’t enough to stop Imogen.
    “No.” Her eyes flashed to Detective Adler’s.
    “No?” He held her eyes calmly as her throat started
constricting. Shit shit shit !
    “Another parent who…” Her voice trailed off as she realized
just how stupid she sounded and how futile her attempt to throw him off was.
    His lip pulled up in a slight smirk before he turned to
Imogen. “I need to get a statement from Ms. Page. Would you mind waiting in the
other room?”
    “What room?” She snorted. “Have you seen how small her house
is? Sorry and of course. Trink, will you stay with me tonight?” Relief washed
over Katrina at Imogen’s invitation and she nodded instantly. “Awesome possum.
I’ll go pack you a bag and then I’ll wait in the car. Am I cool to touch stuff
without Officer Meany having a cow?”
    “Yes. They’ll dust the side door for prints so as long as
you leave out the front you’ll be fine. My partner’s going door-to-door right
now, so if he sees you sitting in your car he may stop and talk to you.