Laina Turner - Presley Thurman 05 - Gems & Gunshots by Laina Turner

the door. I was hoping it wasn’t anyone important, as I was in my workout clothes and not dressed for company. I wasn’t sweaty or anything since I hadn’t actually worked out, but these clothes weren’t the most flattering. I had put them on thinking they might motivate me to get some exercise by going for a walk around Cooper’s beautiful neighborhood, but so far it had only motivated me to sit on the couch.
    As I reached the door I looked though the side glass and saw Greg standing there. I was more than a little surprised and apprehensive. It was the middle of the day and Cooper was at work, so why would Greg be here? I opened the door and stood in the opening. “Hi, Greg. I assume you’re looking for Cooper? He’s not here.”
    “No, I’m actually looking for you,” he said with a look on his face that gave me the impression he was none too happy.
    “Me? Why?”
    “Can I come in?”
    I hesitated for just a second, wondering if it was a good idea to let him in. But he was a client of Cooper’s so he couldn’t be all bad. I certainly wasn’t in any danger. I was being silly if I didn’t let him in. He might be a thief and a liar, but it wasn’t like he was a murderer. “Sure,” I said, moving aside so he could walk through the doorway. “Can I get you something to drink? An iced tea or a mojito if it’s not too early?” I said, trying to be hospitable and lessen the tension I was feeling between us.
    “No, thank you. What I have to say won’t take but a minute,” he said crisply.
    “Okay,” I said slowly. “At least sit down.” I walked to the living room and motioned to the sofa where I took a seat, trying to hide how nervous he was making me. “So, what’s on your mind?”
    He continued to stand in the foyer, but I wasn’t going to let it bother me. If he wanted to stand there, so be it.
    “I want to know why you are stirring up trouble,” he asked. I couldn’t get a read on him, if he was angry or upset.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “The accusations you’ve made.”
    “Greg, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t accused you of anything.” Now, I was starting to regret letting him in. I didn’t want to make things worse for Cooper by saying the wrong thing.
    “Come off it, Presley. You got Amelia all stirred up about this supposed insurance fraud and now I even have Cooper questioning me about it.”
    “Hold on one minute!” I exclaimed standing up. “I saw those papers Amelia showed me and she brought them to me. It’s not like I went to your house looking for them. She’s the one who told me you hadn’t had any diamonds stolen.”
    “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Neither do you. You need to stay out of my business,” he said. I could see his hands clenching. He was one of those guys who probably wanted to seem in control at all times, but I could see under the surface he wasn’t all Mr. Calm Cool and Collected.
    “I know what I saw, Greg. It was right there in black and white.” I was starting to get angry. It wasn’t like I had fabricated this in my own mind; there was proof and Amelia had dragged me into it. Now I was starting to regret being a willing participant. Sometimes even I regretted my nosiness.”
    “No, you don’t. Consider yourself warned. Stay away from me, stay away from my wife, and stay out of my business.”
    “Greg, I will gladly stay away from you, but Amelia is her own woman and she can make her own decisions.”
    There was only so far I was going to let him push me. I liked Amelia and wasn’t going to let him scare me away from what was turning into a potential friendship.
    “I mean it, Presley. And if you know what’s good for you, I wouldn’t mention this little chat we had to Cooper.”
    “Is that a threat?” I said, now completely pissed. Who the hell did he think he was coming over to my house—well, Cooper’s house—and threatening me? “If you’ve done nothing wrong then why is