Free Rules of Survival (Entangled Embrace) by Jus Accardo Page B

idea what he was planning, and it was awesome in theory—if not brilliant—but it was one of those things you saw on television. The kind of thing that didn’t actually work in real life without lots of practice and props.
    “Shaun, right?” the man said with an obviously fake smile. He was wearing chinos and dark sunglasses, and for some reason, the fact that I couldn’t see his eyes creeped me out. “You’re working with Patrick.”
    “Who’re you?”
    The man stuffed both hands into his pants pocket. He was trying to put Shaun at ease by seeming like less of a threat. But he was tense. His arms were too rigid and his shoulders taut. He was prepared to ambush us if we tried to bolt. Body language spoke louder than words if you knew what to look for—and Mom made sure I did. “An interested party.”
    I didn’t risk turning around, but I felt the others watching. They’d come up behind and effectively boxed us in.
    Shaun kept his tone casual. “Interested in what?”
    Moving slowly, he withdrew his right hand and held it up for us to see. In it was a small gold shield. “We’re here to take her into custody.”
    “You’re a cop?” I asked, not bothering to hide my disbelief. He was no more a cop than I was a ballet dancer.
    He nodded to the badge. “FBI. And you’re wanted for questioning in the murder of Melissa Morgan.”
    “I didn’t kill my mother—but I think you know that already…”
    “We won’t know anything until you’ve been questioned.”
    “What is the FBI doing sniffing around a case like this?” Shaun asked. “It’s just one murder.”
    “They’re not FBI,” I said, trying to tug him back. “The badge is fake.”
    “I assure you it’s real,” the man said to Shaun. “You’ve got quite a colorful record. Assault and battery, identity theft, grand theft auto—and that’s just the list prior to hooking up with Patrick Tanner. Hand over the girl and we can make it all go away.”
    I glanced sideways at Shaun. His jaw was tight and he was glaring at the man. Blazing anger rolled through me. A feeling so intense that all I wanted in that moment was to strike him. His righteous speeches about bad people belonging behind bars, yet he was just as much a criminal as Mom was!
    “It’s a onetime deal,” the man said, taking a step closer. I started to back away.
    Shaun didn’t. “I have no official record.”
    The man smiled. It was an eerie grin that stretched all the way to his glasses. “Not yet—but that would be simple to remedy.”
    Shaun laughed. “So I hand her over or you make trouble for me. That’s the deal?”
    “A more than generous offer, considering that you’re currently obstructing justice.”
    Mom and I had forged a lot of things—and if we couldn’t do it ourselves, then we knew someone who could. I could spot any number of fakes. Cash, passports, ID’s—and most badges.
    “Except that they’re not justice.” I turned to Shaun. I couldn’t tell which way he was leaning, and I didn’t want to take a chance. “See how the eagle’s wings extend past those two top points? On a real badge, they stop right at them. Plus, the color is slightly off. It’s too bronzy. It’s a good fake—but still, a fake.”
    Shaun seemed to consider both sides for a moment. He hadn’t made a move to break away and I was getting nervous. These guys were definitely not cops. If they somehow managed to get the cuffs off and Shaun walked away, they’d probably find my corpse in an oil drum about ten years from now.
    I was about to continue my argument, possibly pointing out that the FBI really wouldn’t send five agents to bring in one girl, especially one without any kind of record, but Shaun’s hand tightened around mine. His fingers twitched once. Then twice. And just as I took a deep breath, he yelled, “Now!”
    He sprinted forward and there was no choice but to follow. It happened so fast. We came within a foot of the man, and Shaun jerked his hand high.