Free Fractured by Wendy Byrne

have no reason to lie about it.”
    He studied her long and hard before he spoke. “Then I guess we’re going to have to figure out who and why somebody’s trying to set you up.”
    * * *
    Attempting to settle nerves that didn’t want to settle, Isabella had her grandfather’s handkerchief clutched in her hand while she paced the floor. There were so many crazy possibilities running through her mind she barely noticed when Landry got home around midnight. He stopped her mid-stride and yanked her into a hug.
    Despite the warmth and comfort that rattled through her body, she tried to pull away. She didn’t need him. Couldn’t need him. But he wouldn’t let go. And it felt so good.
    After a few seconds, she gave up the fight, and sunk into the sensation. She sucked in a deep breath, relishing the minty scent surrounding him.
    He wrapped his arms tighter and whispered into her ear. “I spoke with the lieutenant. He told me about the gun.” After several seconds, he moved back enough so that she could see into his eyes. And waited. “Talk to me, Isabella.”
    While the tenderness in his voice spoke volumes, every inch of maleness combined to make him appear more dominant than his physical attributes alone would dictate. Why hadn’t he given up on her? Didn’t he get it? She didn’t need anybody in her life. Clearly Landry had never gotten the memo.
    She desperately wanted to give in and allow him into her thoughts, emotions, her own private hell, but knew better. Getting sucked into a relationship destined to fail would be a disaster. She shifted her arms so that they were no longer clutching his back like some kind of lifeline, instead allowing them to hang limply at her sides.
    He must have sensed her need for space and inched back to give her some room. Closing her eyes, she warded off the sense of loss that followed.
    She bucked up and drew in a deep breath. Folding her arms across her chest, she gave herself another few desperately needed inches of space.
    Even though she trusted him, she couldn’t let him in even a little. Because pretty soon a little became a little more. Then before she knew it, he would be all inside her business. She didn’t need anybody inside her head but her.
    Sometimes she couldn’t remember why they’d broken up: Like when she remembered the hot, sweaty, died-and-gone-to-heaven sex. But at times like this, she remembered all too well. He craved intimacy. While she…well…yeah…not so much.
    â€œThis is my problem. I don’t need your help.” Her trembling voice undermined the force of her statement.
    â€œSomebody’s setting you up. We need to figure out who and why.”
    We. We. We. Why did he keep saying that? This was her problem, not his. Why couldn’t he get it through his thick skull she was alone in this, just like always.
    â€œHow do you know? Maybe I offed my father and then brought you back as my witness.”
    Why did the very idea seem so off-kilter in her head? The whole scenario equated to simple math. She was a cop. He was a bad guy. No harm. No foul.
    â€œWe both know you’d have admitted to shooting him instead of engaging in this Mickey Mouse charade. Besides, the timing would have been pretty tricky getting yourself shot at in the exact alley where I would show up.” He smirked and nodded simultaneously. “Sure, that could happen. The odds might be ten million to one, but you never know.”
    â€œLike the lieutenant said, my dad was scum. The worst that could happen to me is I’d get a slap on the wrist.” Was it her imagination, or did her voice lack a sense of conviction when she spoke? She glanced at Landry to see if he noticed as well, but if he did, she couldn’t tell by the expression on his face.
    â€œExactly. Whoever set you up like this had to know that, so the question is why bother? If we’re thinking embarrassment, my