The Body in the Backyard (Riley Thorn #4)

by Lucy Score

Nick fought to cling to his comfort zone for another ten seconds before the war was lost. “I’m not really a guest here. I’m a PI and I didn’t have the runs. I was questioning a suspect or a witness or whatever the hell she is,” he blurted out. “Interesting,” Hector said as his hands moved down Nick’s spine, pressing and stretching and rubbing as they went. “I grew up in a competitive family and never learned how to have healthy relationships,” Nick continued into the face cradle. “That is very common and is nothing to be ashamed of,” Hector assured him. “Once when I was in junior high, I stole my dad’s car, drove to his restaurant in the middle of the night, and deep-fried an entire bag of mozzarella sticks. I ate the whole thing, drove home, and threw up in my bed. The marinara sauce made it look like I was bleeding internally, and my parents took me to the emergency room. It cost them five grand.” He felt something strong and hard dig into the muscle just below his shoulder blade. An elbow? A knee? A goddamn crowbar? Nick didn’t care.