Page 92 of Family Affair

Her heart went out to him. She had figured him for a loner, but only now the full scope of his isolation sank in.

His eyes appeared pools of black in the darkness, but the smoldering intensity in them took her breath away. He stared at her so hard she felt completely open, like he could see through her skin and flesh to the very core of her, read her thoughts and learn her secrets.

Just as she thought she couldn’t bear his silence anymore, he gave a small nod and went to his truck. “I’ll be in touch. Damn if I can stay away.”

He drove away, and she put her hot face into her hands. She wasn’t sure if what she felt was relief because he said he’d be back or apprehension… because he said he’d be back.

“Coco.” Stella’s sharp voice broke through her distress. “What have you done?”

“Not now, Stella…”

“Yes, now.” Stella approached resolutely, and her face was drawn in taught lines. “You have no business with a man like that.”

“Excuse me?”

“I saw you out of the window, all lovey-dovey in the dark. Is that what Dan saw on the security video? In that case, I can’t blame him for blowing the gasket.”

Coco raised her chin, refusing to answer.

“Fine, don’t tell me. Now I know why you won’t leave town. Because of him.” She jabbed her finger in the direction Cade just left. “Please, Coco, leave. Go away from the investigation, from Aaron – and from Cade."

"No." She didn't know where the steel in her voice came from.

"He's lying to you. They're not trustworthy, Dan, Cade, another one from the party, what's his name, Alex. Fun to hang out with, but in the long term? So many issues."

As always, Stella was probably right, but it didn’t change how Coco felt.

"Cade was with me when the crime happened, and I'll stand by him."

"And have you considered that the police might be onto something? Coco, what if he's guilty?”