Page 109 of Kiss of Deceit

I swallowed thickly, tears of betrayal threatening to escape. I stumbled forward, snatching the scrap of clothing that was on the desk. I squeezed the rough fabric in my fist, not needing to inspect it. A ski mask—the same kind the killer wore. I looked down, counting at least five more masks.

The next thing I saw was a row of knives with jagged blades. The mask fell from my grip as I staggered backward. What was all this? Was he the killer? No, it wasn’t possible. My chest tightened, and I suddenly couldn’t take a breath. This was the first major panic attack since the one I had at Kole’s bar months ago when I heard the same words as the night of my attack.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach, anguish ripping through me. That was the same night Kole and I slept together for the first time.

My gaze drifted to the walls, panic slithering through my veins. I stared at the smiles of all the victims. Living and dead. Natalie, Miles, Jillian. Me. It was my driver’s license photo, my hair slightly lighter than it was now. My smile was small and forced.

Bile burned my throat as the room spun around me. I was wrong about Kole. So fucking wrong.

A noise broke through my daze, and I whipped around and hit the chair, causing it to roll across the floor.

“I forgot my jacket.” Kole’s voice rang through the house. “I’m kicking everyone out when I get to the bar and coming right back. I’d rather spend the night with you in bed.”

While he was talking, I rushed out of the room, pushing the door closed, not pausing to lock it. I wasn’t sure why I was even trying to hide what I found. There was no way I’d be able to act like I was fine in front of him. Not after this.

Before I could close the fake wall, I went still, feeling his burning stare on my back. I slowly straightened up, trying to clear my head before facing him.

“Dani.” His voice was quiet and steady. “You need to trust me?—”

“Trust you?” I hissed, rage seeping into my bones. I spun around to see him standing in the laundry room doorway. His gaze gave nothing away when he met my glare. “I knownothingabout you. You—you have it all here. The masks. The knives.” My voice cracked as anger heated my veins. “I can’t fucking believe this.”

“I’m not the killer,” he said in the same calm voice. “I was with you that night at the police station.”

“Then you’re part of it,” I screamed, losing all control. “Why else would you have all of that? You have a hidden fucking room.”

“Let me?—”

“Fuck you,” I snarled, hating how hurt was mixing with my anger. This was a different kind of pain, but it was so much worse. “I know what this town is.”

Shock gleamed in his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Capital murder. That’s your charge. Every person in this town has a rap sheet.” My voice shook as I blurted out the truth. Kole stood utterly still, not moving a muscle as I spoke. “Except one. Natalie knew the truth. She’s the one who told me. Meaning Susan knows it.”

He blew out a breath. “Dani. This isn’t something you can tell. Not Susan or anyone else.”

“Are you going to stop me?” I asked, letting threat enter my voice.

“You can’t tell her.”

He was firm, but still calm. Which only enraged me more. He thought he was in charge. I witnessed his body tensing as if he knew I wasn’t going to listen. My racing heart dipped. He knew too much about me. I’d told him all about my self-defense training and everything else.

“Give me five minutes to explain,” he urged with a note of desperation.

God it hurt. I could handle anger. Fear. Terror. But this was worse than all of that.I let Kole in.The first person in twelve years who I began to trust. I didn’t know my heart could shatter like this.

“No.” My one worded answer was barely a whisper. Kole didn’t move from the doorway, his pleading gaze locked on me.

After this, I couldn’t believe anything he said. I’d already seen how well he lied. The words that left his mouth meant nothing. I was in too deep with him to be rational.

“Don’t,” Kole warned in a low voice. “Just hear me out.”

Instead of responding, I turned around, ripping the hidden door back open. His footsteps were quickly approaching behind me, and I lunged toward the desk. My fingers wrapped around the hilt of the closest knife, but before I could lift it, Kole’s hand landed on mine as his chest smashed against my back. He kept the knife pressed to the desk, my hand trapped under his.

“Drop it,” he demanded in a strained voice. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Then let me go,” I ground out, attempting to free my arm.

His hand slid down slightly, and he wedged his thumb between my palm and the hilt.