Page 28 of Diamonds in the Mud

“I’ve been authorized to share my details with any of the local police I deem trustworthy,” I added.

A look of surprise crossed her face. “Does this have anything to do with⁠—”

I held up my finger, stopping her. “Why Rayne?”

She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “It was the only word I knew when they found me,” she admitted. I frowned and shook my head, not understanding her meaning.

“Whatever agency you’re with must not have much access to personal files,” she joked as she leaned forward. “I was around five years old when they found me. Not far from here, actually.” She glanced towards the windows. “Out there, somewhere.” She motioned to the left of the scene, beyond the river.

“Who found you?” I asked.

“What agency?” she countered with a smile. “If you play fair, remember, an answer for an answer.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me and I relaxed.

“DEA,” I answered.

She laughed, then sobered a little. “Shit, you’re serious,” she said when I didn’t laugh with her.

“Who found you?” I asked again.

“Cops. One of them, Randy Cordova, and his wife, Edith, took me in when no one stepped forward and claimed me,” she answered. “Why is the DEA in my town?”

“Why does the DEA go anywhere?” I countered. She frowned and was quiet for a moment, so I asked, “Why become a detective?”

“I don’t want anyone to feel the way I felt. Abandoned. Even after death,” she added. “Do you think the Reapers are dealing?”

I shook my head. “There are some answers I’m not authorized to give just yet.”

“That’s fair.” She shifted. “Caleb Morales?”

“Another one of my names. I’ve gone by Jameson Lorenzo for more than five years,” I answered with a shrug.

She tilted her head and smiled. “You look like a Jameson.”

I laughed. “It’s my middle name.”

“Three names to my one,” she joked and took another bite of her burger. “Why confide in me?”

My eyes ran over her face. When I watched heat flood into her cheeks, I knew she had the answer.

“Okay, so, we both agree on that point.” She took a sip of her drink and leaned back, shoving the finished burger away. I took the last bite of mine and did the same. “How does this work? I’m sure the Reapers won’t appreciate you hanging out with a cop.”

I nodded. “Yeah. For now, no more impromptu visits to my work. I can explain a few bump-ins but nothing more.”

She nodded. “Okay, I get that. I have a few missing puzzle pieces.”

I chuckled. “I only seemed to have gotten one from you.”

She smiled. “Maybe, when I’m not expected somewhere else, we can do this again. Maybe even a sleepover?” she teased.

Damn. Now that was all I was going to think about. Leaning over, I pulled her chair close to mine and watched her eyes heat.

“This may not work,” I told her as she climbed over me, her legs pinning me to the chair as she straddled me.

“It may not,” she whispered, her mouth a breath away from mine. “Then again…” She dropped off as I leaned up and took her mouth. Her hands slipped into my hair.

She tasted like heaven. Her lips melted against mine as her body vibrated. My hands glided over her hips, avoiding her holster and weapon. I cupped her butt while she pressed tight against my crotch.

My dick jumped in response to her pressing tight against it while she rolled her tongue around mine and sucked softly on it.