On a Knife's Edge by Lynda Bailey Read Free Book Online

biological dad—was being released from
prison? She sat in stunned silence while conflicting emotions bombarded her.
    Joy hopscotched through her chest because she’d never
believed Lynch guilty of trying to kill her brother in the first place. Just as
quickly, though, dread clutched her heart. Had Lynch somehow found out about
Wyatt? No, that wasn’t possible. While everyone in Stardust assumed Graham to
be the daddy, nobody knew the truth about Wyatt’s parentage, not even her own
husband. The singular saving grace about her having a firebrand reputation as a
teenager was that her pregnancy shocked no one. Truth was, she’d only ever been
with one man.
    Thank God Wyatt inherited her dark brown hair. She prayed it
didn’t lighten too much when he got older. Wyatt also had blue eyes, same as
Graham. Except her son’s eyes bordered on the hypnotic—like Lynch’s.
    Finally guilt feasted on her conscience. If she hadn’t been
so rebellious, so damn reckless when she was younger, Lynch might not have ever
gone to prison—and Dell might not now be reliant on a cane to move, not to
mention Graham being imprisoned in a wheelchair…
    “Released?” Dell exploded from his chair then quickly
grabbed the desk for balance. “How the fuck did that happen? He’s not
eligible for parole for at least another fifteen years.”
    Adam gusted another sigh. “He’s not being paroled. A hotshot
lawyer from the attorney general’s office took an interest in his case. She
petitioned a federal judge, and Callan’s been granted a new trial. He’s being
released pending that trial.”
    “ Jesus Christ .” Dell spun away, and nearly toppled
over. He gripped his tall chair back and inhaled a noisy breath. Anger vibrated
his entire body.
    Graham tilted forward as much as the restrictions of his
wheelchair would allow. “Adam, what steps are you taking to keep Callan behind
bars?”
    “Unfortunately, there aren’t any steps I can take at
the moment.”
    Dell turned around, his face an ugly, purplish red. “What
the hell does that mean?”
    “It means I found out about the situation just before coming
here to tell you. But I believe this deal has been in the works for several
days.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “Because Callan is getting out…this afternoon.”
    Dell’s eyes bugged. “This… afternoon ?”
    Adam glanced away with a nod, rubbing his neck. “Look, I
understand this news is upsetting—”
    “Upsetting?” Dell mocked. “I’m way past upset. Have you
forgotten that bastard tried to kill me? He shot me. In the back.”
    Adam glowered. “I've forgotten nothing.”
    “Then keep that fucker locked up.”
    “There’s only so much power I have in this—”
    “What about petitioning for a stay?” Graham interjected.
    Adam tore his angry gaze from Dell. “I plan to file with the
Ninth District Court on Monday, but that’s not going to keep Callan from getting
out today.”
    Graham pursed his lips. “At least it’s a start. The thing to
focus on is what to do once Callan is actually back in town.”
    For the first time since Adam dropped the bombshell, Shasta
piped up. “What do you mean?”
    “What I mean, hon, is that we can’t dismiss the possibility
of Callan seeking retribution for his incarceration.”
    “Retribution? Against whom?”
    “Well, me for one. His was the last case I prosecuted
before…” His voice drifted off.
    She reached over and grasped his hand. Graham hated any
reference to his dreadful accident. He flexed his fingers around hers with a
small smile then released his grip. She settled for resting her palm on his
forearm. “Do you really think he’ll come after you?”
    “It makes sense to me.”
    “And to me,” Adam concurred. He looked at Dell. “What about
assigning Graham police protection?”
    “That won’t be necessary,” her husband said. “I’ll be in
Vegas until next week. Hopefully you’ll get that stay and Callan’s taste of
freedom will be brief. If