Free Deception by Elizabeth Goddard

Jewel had always imagined that when she’d seen her mother peeking out the window as Jewel had left with Silas, she’d seen the glimmer of approval in her eyes; had chosen to believe that her mother would have wanted her to have this security.
    But maybe she had fooled herself. How could she have been so naive to hope that no one else in the family would realize she’d taken it?
    Did her sister know?
    Doubts filled her about the man Meral loved and had married. Had Meral told Buck about the diamond?
    Her hands trembled.
    But then it hit her afresh. She still possessed the Krizan Diamond—a stone worth millions—and all it represented to her were fear and guilt. The diamond’s value, the danger she likely had brought on herself by possessing it, struck her like a bolt from the sky and singed her skin. She dropped it, letting it fall into the box.
    She placed the rudimentary container back into its hiding place.
    Jewel pushed the plank into place and quietly shoved boxes in front of the wall. If someone were searching in here, it would be easy enough to discover where she had disturbed the dust. She’d need to clean the entire attic to cover her tracks. But what was she thinking?
    It was too late. Her attacker had already found her in the attic—already knew that that was where to look to uncover her secrets.
    A noise disturbed her thoughts—the board over the entrance to the attic. Panic sent Jewel’s pulse racing. She grabbed the flashlight and ran to the entrance. Best to take the offensive move while she had the high ground.
    â€œDon’t move,” she said.
    â€œOr what?” Chief Winters stared up at her. “You’re going to hit me with a flashlight?”
    â€œChief Winters.”
    She dropped the flashlight, her only weapon. She should have brought the Glock. Clearly, she wasn’t ready for any serious self-defense. He was probably disappointed in his student. She started down, but Chief Winters stepped up and Jewel inched back as he climbed the ladder until he was standing in the attic with her.
    â€œWhat a surprise that I should find you in the attic again.”
    She hadn’t wanted to answer questions about the first time she’d come, and she’d managed to evade him—but there would be no escaping him now. Of course, he would have to stand much too close.
    Jewel’s pulse hadn’t slowed since she’d heard the noise. What was he doing standing so near? His proximity made her tremble.
    She sucked in a calming breath. She should take a step back, but she couldn’t move. Instead, she hung her head, feeling like a teenager when she was anything but. Something about this man sent her heart racing and tumbling around inside. He lifted her chin with his finger.
    What was he doing?
    She wanted to tell him what a romantic cliché his action was, but then she’d be admitting that the moment felt like something out of a romance novel, because she was attracted to him. And she couldn’t admit that to him or to herself. She would never risk her heart again. Even if she were willing, her family heirloom stood between them.
    She was a thief.
    He was the law.
    A beam of sunlight streaked through the dirty window, illuminating the dust motes dancing around them.
    â€œWhat are you doing up here again? And by yourself?” His sharp blue eyes turned dark.
    What should she tell him? She couldn’t share what she’d done with anyone, especially him. Not yet. “Chief Winters.” His name came out in a desperate tone.
    His gaze softened. “Jewel, don’t you think it’s about time you call me Colin? I can see you calling me by my title when we’re around others, out of respect, but we’re alone now. We’ve been friends long enough, haven’t we?” He finally dropped his hand. “There’s no need to be so official with me all the time.”
    Her heart rate jumped higher. Jewel had