Page 51 of Wicked Titan

I halt, hesitantly turning to look at him. “Yeah?”

“Is there something you want to talk about?”

I shake my head, unable to speak before rotating to reach for the door handle.

“Quinn.”

My breath hitches as I turn back to look again, afraid of what he might ask next.

His face is filled with concern as he holds up the coffee cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”

Managing to give him a weak smile, I snatch the handle before pulling the door open. I keep my vision straight ahead as I hurry to leave because I don’t want to believe that Nathan had anything to do with me losing my dad. Nathan has been one of the few highlights in my new world, but I’m questioning whether or not it has all been a show as I hear Detective Davis say to be careful who I trust.

42

Pulling to a gradual stop, I look around the parking lot. A neon Open sign flashes in the window, drawing my attention to the quaint little café. It’s not exactly the type of place I would’ve pictured Detective Davis enjoying, but he’s turning out to be full of surprises.

The uneven gravel presses against the sole of my black flats as I make my way inside. Scanning the tables, I don’t spot him, so when a hostess approaches, I have her show me to one of the vacant booths.

Detective Davis strolls through the door, heading my way. He waves to the waitress, Lindsey, who’s refilled my lemonade twice already. Her warm expression directed at him baffles me. Is it possible that he is actually nice to someone?

“Whatcha got?” he asks, sliding into the booth.

“Hello to you too,” I say, flopping the yearbook on the table before opening it to the page containing Nathan and Candace’s prom picture.

“What’s this?” He studies the picture, looking at me with confusion.

“It’s Candace and Nathan at prom.”

“Okay … and?”

I knew it was a mistake calling him after leaving Nathan’s office.

“Candace was supposed to be dating my dad in high school. This doesn’t look like they were dating each other.” Pointing to my dad, I motion to the girl next to him. “And I can’t figure out who this is.”

He studies the photo a little closer. “Did she attend the Academy too?”

“I don’t know. I just found out my parents went to Golden Olympus.” The words are bitter as they leave my mouth.

“Yep.”

“You knew? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It didn’t seem important at the time.”

“Then why would they lie about it?”

“I’ll dig a little more into their high school years, but nothing sent up a red flag last time.” He studies the picture of the girl with my dad as an odd expression crosses his face. “It’s possible this goes back further than the contracts.”

I watch as he flips through a few pages before holding up the yearbook. “Mind if I keep this.”

“Go for it.” It’s not like I was getting anywhere with it. Hopefully, he can find something.

“Let me know if anything else comes up.” Sliding out the booth, he pauses, taking a quick glance around the nearly empty café. “Be careful, Quinn.”

“I will.”

Davis grips the yearbook, slapping against the hard cover as he makes his way over to the counter where Lindsey is waiting for him with a to-go container. He leans against the counter, whispering something to her as she smiles before giving her a kiss reserved only for a significant other, and then walks out of the café.