Free Controversy by Adrianne Byrd

too small and tossed on a low-cut tee that showed off her bodacious tah-tahs.
    â€œEnjoy freedom while you can,” she said to her reflection and left the house. Still, when she climbed into the car and pulled out of the driveway, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her.
    Â 
    From across the street, the tip of a cigarette glowed orange while the driver behind the wheel of a black Ford Explorer watched as Michael Adams pulled out of her driveway and drove off just as the evening made its transition to night.
    â€œDon’t lose her,” the woman in the passenger seat said.
    â€œI won’t,” the driver responded, starting the car.

Chapter 9
    M arlin and Donna’s one-year anniversary looked and felt more like a wake. Cloistered together in the back of Nicolino’s, the Adams clan made an awkward attempt to smile and be merry. The constant absence of Donna’s family members remained a source of curiosity.
    Surely the woman had some family tucked away somewhere?
    But Michael’s keen investigative skills turned up nothing. It was like the woman had just appeared out of thin air. Shortly before her father’s marriage, Michael had tried to talk to him about Donna’s mysterious past. He’d exploded and made it clear he wanted her to butt out of his private affairs.
    Reluctantly, she complied…for now.
    The other elephant in the room was the fact that Teddy looked nothing like Marlin or really even her mother. When Teddy was born, no one said anything about the baby’s pale coloring.
    All babies were pale when they were born.
    Well, it was nearly one year later and the Adamses were still waiting for the baby’s coloring to fill in and for her eyes to turn from a smoky-gray to brown.
    Still, Teddy was an adorable child. Sweet-tempered and playful, the newest Adams also seemed to really take to Michael. In turn, Michael fell hard for Teddy.
    â€œGift time,” Sheldon exclaimed.
    â€œGifts?” Michael repeated. “You all brought gifts?” She glanced around and sure enough, her sisters started pulling out beautifully wrapped boxes with shiny bows. How come no one told her they were bringing gifts?
    Frankie came to her rescue. “Here.” She slid over a card. “Sign your name and we’ll tell them this one is from both of us.”
    â€œThanks.” Michael jotted her name on the card. Of course people brought gifts to an anniversary party, she scolded herself. What was the matter with her? Was her A-game that severely off?
    â€œBuon compleanno! Buon compleanno!”
    Michael turned at the sound of a group of people singing. Toward the restaurant’s bar, a group of waiters and waitresses surrounded a table.
    â€œIt must be someone’s birthday,” Joey commented.
    Michael nodded and returned her attention to Teddy, who was busy coloring in the restaurant’s coloring book for children.
    â€œHey, isn’t that the cop who was at your place the other day?” Sheldon whispered.
    Michael’s and Frankie’s heads whipped around.
    â€œWhat cop?” P.J. and Joey asked.
    â€œYou know, it does look like him.”
    â€œWhat cop?” Joey asked again.
    â€œYou mean the one that…?” P.J.’s question trailed into nothing.
    Michael didn’t say anything. She couldn’t. The moment her gaze landed on Detective Dekker’s smooth, dark-chocolate skin, her body started acting as if it was trying to combat a fever. She felt light-headed, and her heart raced at the mere sight of him.
    â€œWhat cop? ” Joey insisted.
    â€œIt is him,” Sheldon and Frankie agreed simultaneously.
    â€œUm.” Michael pushed her chair back and forced herself to stand. “I’ll be right back.”
    â€œMike, what are you going to do?” Sheldon asked, alarmed.
    â€œNothing,” she said. “I’m just going over to wish him a happy