Page 16 of Deceiver

“I can promise you that you would be safe. All you’d have to do is find out what I need, and I’d give you proof to back up your story. Bill would go away, and you’d be safe.”

I can’t.

Iwon’t.

“I’m not doing it, I’m sorry. I’ll find my own way to deal with Bill and whoever he is working for, but I’m not betraying someone else to do it.”

Ryan exhales. “The people who are after you, they’re not going to stop. They’re going to shut you up because you are already too close to knowing the truth. Is your life truly worth a little bit of information?”

“I’ll be okay,” I say, even though I truly don’t believe it. “I’ll find a way to be safe.”

Ryan shakes his head. “Your bravado is impressive, but it won’t protect you from the people who can andwillmake you disappear.”

“You’re a cop, why aren’t you protecting me? Isn’t that your job?”

He doesn’t answer me. “If protection is what you need, it can be arranged, but it won’t last forever. Eventually, they’ll find a way to get to you.”

“Not if I get to them, first.”

He’s frustrated, I can see it written all over his face. “You’re not safe.”

“That’s my problem. I’m not helping you.”

It’s not just that the club would be after me, it’s that I wouldn’t do it to them.

I have already dug myself into a hole I can’t get out of, I’m not about to dig that much deeper.

“If you change your mind, here is my card.”

He digs into his pocket and pulls out a card, handing it to me. I take it, glancing down at it for a moment before looking back at him.

“Be careful, Bonnie. The people you exposed aren’t about to sit back and let this go.”

With that, he turns and walks away.

I exhale as I watch him go.

The problem is, I know he’s right.

I know they’re not going to let this go.

I know I’m not safe.

But I’m not going to betray the man I love to protect him.

For now, I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing.

And pray it works.