Page 27 of Harboring Shantae

"Ms. Shantae Adams?" the detective asked, as they stepped into the living room and found Shantae poised against the mantel. A fake smile was plastered on her face. This was the politician's daughter. The one who was trained to entertain guests. Everything about her posture was confident. There wasn't even the slightest hint of nerves he had seen since they arrived in Texas. Panther wasn't sure what to make of it.

"I'm Detective Bronson. Your father is very concerned about you. Senator Adams insists this behavior is out of the ordinary for you and would like you home immediately so you can be surrounded by family that loves you."

"Detective Bronson. While I appreciate your concern, I'm sorry that you've had to travel all this way for nothing. See, my family is here in Texas with my husband. My father has no reason to be concerned. I'm happier here."

There was no hesitation in her step as Shantae moved to Panther’s side and wrapped her arm around him. He pulled her close and placed a gentle kiss on her temple, completely ignoring how good she felt in his arms, or the warning bells screaming in his head.

"You expect me to believe that, just days after you announced an engagement to another man, you suddenly married a different man? It takes seventy-two hours to obtain a marriage license in Texas."

The hair on the back of Panther's neck stood up. Of course, he knew how long it took to get a license. For an average person, anyway. But there was nothing average when it came to Wes or Ray. If Wes couldn't convince someone to give him what he needed, Ray just hacked the system and made it happen.

"I didn't announce anything. My family did and without my consent, so I'm sorry for any confusion. However, the plan for Camron and me to marry was already in the works. We just decided to move up the timeline because of the announcement. My parents were pushing my hand on something I didn't want. I took the appropriate action that would make me happy."

Panther couldn't help but stand there amazed at the way Shantae was handling the situation. There was no stumbling. No uncertainty in her answers. If he didn't know the truth, he would have bought their story.

But the detective refused to give up.

"You mean to tell me you left your job without notice, you didn't break your lease on your townhouse, and you left nearly all your belongings?"

Panther was about to step in and defend Shantae's actions, but he stopped when she tightened a hold on his hip. He had no idea how she knew what his plan was, but she seemed to be reassuring him that she had this.

"I'm not sure what you're not understanding, Detective, about the need to move up our timeline because of my parents' actions. Yes, I left my job, but it wasn't without notice. I sent them an email apologizing profusely for my sudden departure. I have every intention of breaking my lease. It's actually on my to-do list for after our honeymoon, but since I'm paid up through the month already, I'm not concerned. As for my belongings ..." This time she laughed. "Well, let's just say I only took what was important to me. I have no intention of returning to the life I lived as a politician's daughter, so I was happy to be rid of all the things that were required of me to own."

It was a good thing he let her handle that because there was no way he could've done as good of a job. He hadn't known she emailed her employer, and last time he checked, there was no honeymoon booked. Although he wouldn't be opposed to it. Time away with just the two of them seemed to be the perfect solution.

When it was obvious Detective Bronson wasn't going to get the responses he hoped from Shantae, he turned the inquisition over to Panther.

"Is everything Ms. Adams said true?"

"It'sMrs.Jones."

"Fine, whatever. Is what your wife said true? You moved up the wedding even though you've never spoken to each other?"

This was the part he had hoped to talk to Shantae about, so he hoped her acting skills were on point. It really helped to have a technical analyst who didn't mind hacking records or creating false documents.

Panther took a deep breath and prepared himself to sell a story buried so far inside his heart that he worried Shantae would see the truth. Ray helped him in so many ways once they learned her father had reported her missing.

"Actually, that's not true. As you probably know, our relationship did start with letters," he explained. "I didn't know it at the time, but that letter, and many more after it, would get me through some of my hardest times, both as a sniper and in my personal life. But over the years, things changed. We grew closer. We fell in love and we decided letters just weren't enough. So we met in secret because Shantae wanted to protect me from her father's political life, even though I insisted I could handle it. We spoke often on the phone I got for her and we made plans to come here. When she told me about the engagement, we decided it was time to put those plans into action. And here we are."

He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers in a soft caress. It was meant to be just a simple gesture, but he didn't miss the sparks. Panther wanted more of those lips. Wanted more of her. It was how he knew he needed to stay away. If he allowed himself, he could easily get comfortable and want her permanently. Then she would break his heart when his job became too much.

"In love, and ready to start our life."

Chapter 13

Umm,what?

She was doing well until Panther spoke. She was able to keep her composure and put all those years of campaigning with her father to use. Then he had to go and say all that mushy stuff. Now her heart was fluttering around and getting ideas that she shouldn't have. Not when she knew it was all a lie. But damn, did it sound like the truth.

And it must have been enough to convince Detective Bronson. It looked like all the wind had been knocked out of the man's sails.

"It would appear this case can be closed. There is nothing that would indicate a crime, and you are certainly not missing."

Shantae let out an internal sigh of relief, but it was a moment too soon.

"But I will advise you, I was ordered to bring you back by any means necessary. While I won't do that, there are others who don't have the same moral compass."

The detective didn't wait to be shown out. She wasn't sure she would've been able to move anyway. The warning in his tone was quite clear. It made her wary, but if Camron's stiff body was any indication, it made him angry.