Page 8 of Inferno

Manning shot him an aggrieved look. “Can we go now?”

Stan hesitated another moment, then relented with a nod. “You kids have a good day. And thanks for giving my son a ride to school, Caitlyn.”

“Oh, you don’t have to thank me,” she purred, smiling coyly at Manning. “It’s my pleasure.”

I’ll bet, Stan mused, watching as the teenagers walked to the Camaro and climbed inside. As Manning buckled his seatbelt, Caitlyn cupped his cheek in her hand and made a comment that brought a slow, lazy smile to his face.

Stan chuckled softly, shaking his head. His son was definitely a chip off the old block.

Which wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

As Stan moved to close the door, Manning glanced out the passenger window and met his gaze. The boy’s smile faded, letting Stan know that he hadn’t forgotten about their near-confrontation.

Stan hesitated,thenlifted his hand in a small wave.

Manning nodded shortly.

Long after the Camaro pulled off, Stan stood there wondering how much longer he could keep his secret from destroying his family.