Under the Covers by Rebecca Zanetti Page A

force.”
    “Fair enough. I’ll drive with you. Fill me in on the family. Has Colton graduated yet?” Reese followed, turning to toss keys at another DEA agent before jumping into the rig.
    “Just graduated.” Quinn started the engine. “He’s taking over as COO of Freeze-Lodge Investments, although he’s been running the financial end of everything for years.” Quinn grinned. “We wouldn’t give him the salary or the title until he graduated.”
    “Still MMA fighting?”
    “No. Though he’s a tough bastard. He fought for beer money and just a physical challenge, if you ask me. He’s the mellowest of us all.” Well, until his very long fuse blew. Then everyone got out of the way.
    “I caught one of his fights on ESPN late at night. He was brutal.” Reese settled into the seat. “With all that money, why do you work the ranch and sport a gun?”
    “What else would I do? Sit around and read ledgers?” Quinn mock shivered.
    Reese laughed. “Good enough. So, what’s new with you?”
    Everything. “Not much.”
    “Seeing anyone?”
    Hell, yes. Quinn lifted a shoulder. “You’ll meet her, I’m sure. How about you?”
    “Hell, no.” Reese shifted his gun away from his hip. “I learned my lesson.”
    Quinn chuckled. Sometimes romance snuck up and bit a guy on the ass whether he liked it or not. “How does a hoagie from Mrs. Johnson’s homemade deli sound?”
    “Excellent.”
    “Good. Now start talking. I need to know how much danger my people are in.” Quinn pulled onto the country road.

Chapter Eleven
    Several hours after leaving Quinn’s place, Juliet struggled to align the small painting of horses galloping around the shores of Mineral Lake. She and Sophie had worked all day, and the show was coming together. They’d even harassed Colton into helping them with the bigger pieces.
    Juliet hadn’t heard from Quinn, but rumor had it a cattle rustling had occurred at the north end of the county, so he’d probably been busy.
    He wanted to talk. Perhaps she should come clean and tell him the truth. He deserved the truth, even if he ended up arresting her. Maybe she could talk him out of cuffing her.
    Her laugh lacked humor as it echoed around the room. No way. She couldn’t talk him out of an arrest.
    She finished fiddling and eyed the main room as a whole. Deep jewel tones splashed across the oil paintings depicting tribal scenes, landscapes, and portraits of fascinating faces. The next room held charcoals, and the final room drawings. Without question, Sophie Lodge was incredibly talented. This showing would put the gallery on the map.
    Pride filled Juliet. While she wouldn’t be able to bask in the success, she’d accomplished her goals. She’d actually set out and done it.
    Now, she had to go break Quinn’s heart. But he deserved to know the truth. It was time to confess everything.
    Grabbing her coat, she locked the front door and hustled out of the building. The rain had stopped, but a tension-filled breeze swirled down the street.
    She wandered past storefronts, small restaurants, and a couple of delis before reaching the sheriff’s building. Breezing inside the two-story brick, she nodded at the elderly receptionist, noting that the sprawling reception room was empty.
    “Hi, Mrs. Wilson.”
    The receptionist pushed her cat’s-eye glasses up her nose. “The day’s chilly, Juliet. You here to visit the sheriff?”
    Juliet nodded.
    “Go on back. He’s not doing anything.”
    Juliet doubted that. But she skirted the counter and headed down the long hallway, passing several offices and cubicles. His office sat in the northern corner and looked out on the street. She paused at the doorway and gathered her courage.
    His unique scent of man and leather hit her the second she stepped inside. The fact that he wasn’t alone hit her next. She faltered.
    “Juliet. Did we have plans?” He rose from behind a scarred wooden desk. Lines of fatigue spread out from his eyes, but they warmed on