Page 72 of Girl Between

You’re better off alone.

It’s why she didn’t let anyone in. When she did, there were always devastating consequences. That’s how she’d ended up here, wasn’t it? Hiding in bed, instead of helping solve a murder?

Dana closed her eyes again, trying to block out the image of Claire.

Not Claire,she reminded herself. But it might as well have been. The guilt she felt made Dana see the girl everywhere. But she knew it didn’t matter. The Claire Dana had known was gone now, and there was nothing she could do about it.

It was a sad truth she’d learned long ago. Whether by choice or not, in Dana’s life, she was always the girl left behind.

She tried to wrestle the thought away, but it took hold, pulling her back into the grasp of a restless slumber.

68

“She’s going to be a problem,”I repeat.

“I don’t think she will,” he snivels. “She’s just visiting. Here on some sort of research grant.”

“Which means she’s smart. I don’t like smart.”

“She’s a nobody. Leave her be and stick to the plan. You’re always saying we can’t deviate.”

I don’t know why he’s arguing. I’m not asking for his approval. It’s not like he has affection for the woman. She’s an outsider. Someone sent from D.C. No chance she knows our city and culture better than we do.

Gritting my teeth, only my raised eyebrow shows annoyance. “She’s an obstacle,” I say calmly. “That’s all. Nothing we haven’t handled before.”

His eyes widen, the shadows making his sagging features even more pathetic. “We can’t afford to be hasty again,” he whispers.

The memory of my most recent mistake flashes through my mind. I let my guard down, I was too confident. And he’s throwing it back in my face!

It makes me want to tell him my plan. How I almost hatched it today.

I bite back the swell of anger rushing through my veins. I won’t let him see it. Not now. His time is coming. Not letting him suspect it will only make it sweeter.

I nod slowly. “You’re right. For now. But keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t get too close.”

He nods, turning away with obvious relief. But the weight of his words lingers. There’s no room for error. Not now. The stakes are too high. I can’t afford any more mistakes.

The girl I left at the cemetery was problematic enough.

It doesn’t matter. I do what needs to be done, like always.

And if this outsider gets too close, I’ll take care of her, too. I will not allow anyone to threaten what I’ve built. The harvest is all that matters.

The good of many outweighs the good of one.

69

Stretching her stiff limbs,Dana blinked awake. Daybreak washed the cream wallpaper a familiar shade of worn parchment. Sitting up, she scanned the empty room, her gaze snagging on the appetizing sight on her nightstand.

Skipping over the tea service, she reached for the white and green bag of sugary heaven. The bag was neatly folded closed and rolled down to the iconic logo, promising there was a boatload of Café Beignet confectionery goodness inside. But the words scrawled in Jake’s familiar handwriting made her pause before tearing into the contents.

I couldn’t find waffles.

Come home and I’ll make them.

Dana’s heart squeezed so fiercely, the only solution was to cram a beignet in her mouth to stop the pain.

The minute the sugar-coated fried dough melted on her tongue the world slipped away. It was only for a second, still it elicited a moan of ecstasy. She shook her head at her own simple indulgence. Sugar was easily her drug of choice, and she was in no mood to fight it.