Page 131 of Kiss of Deceit

“The murders are ruining this. There has been so much time and energy spent on this town.” Dani’s voice softened. “I believethis could change reform for the better. I would hate to see this all burn because of this. I can help.”

“Being here has not wiped out your past,” Susan exploded, her usual stern demeanor absent. “You forget what you are—which is not a forensic psychologist like you’re playing here.”

Dani stiffened. “I want to catch the killers in this town.”

“You’re leaving. By force, if necessary.”

She strode past me, slowing slightly. Her words were barely a whisper. “You have one of worst rap sheets here. But her…be careful who you share a bed with.”

She disappeared, her boots clicking on the floor as she left the clinic. My heart beat a notch faster when I faced Dani. She wasn’t meeting my eyes, a slight flush still on her cheeks.

“You want to tell me what she was talking about?” I questioned gently.

“No.”

“Nothing you say will change my mind about how I feel when it comes to you.”

Her gaze finally found mine, her blank expression only adding to my curiosity. “Don’t push this, Kole.”

“Have I ever pushed for anything?” Silence met my question. I stared at her, trying to think through the pounding headache. Dani never was one to talk much about her past. But now that I thought about it, she hadn’t told me anything about the last few years of her life. She skated over things so seamlessly I never caught on.

“The killers left a note,” she said, abruptly changing the subject. “Harry let me read it.”

“What did it say?”

“I’m being labeled a murderer, yet I’m not the only one in this town,” she recited in a monotone voice. “Killers walk free here, so why shouldn’t I?”

“He’s talking as if it’s only him,” I said thoughtfully. “We know there’re two. He knows what this town is—full of convicted criminals. Probably because they’re inmates too.”

“At least two,” Dani muttered, her gaze cutting to my new stitches. “How is your head?”

“Fine.” I let her continue to keep the conversation going the way she wanted. “Are you okay?”

She assured me the entire way to the clinic that she wasn’t hurt, but since she’d only been wearing my shirt, the blood from the cuts on her legs was visible. I wasn’t sure how much she fought against them before fleeing the house, and she didn’t give away many details. Her cheek was already bruising which was enough for fury to slide through me. Whoever these assholes were, they were going to fucking suffer.

“How much sway do you have with the people in charge of Winterlake?” she asked in a hushed voice.

“Not as much as Susan. I just work here.” I blew out a long breath. “If they want interns to leave, I have no pull to change that.”

She frowned, a muscle in her jaw ticking. “I can’t leave. I won’t.” When I didn’t respond, she raised an eyebrow. “You don’t agree?”

I sighed. “It’s not safe here. They were in our fucking house. They could have killed you.”

Her eyes darkened. “I know how to protect myself. They want me. And I have a feeling it won’t stop until either that happens, or we catch them.”

“I’d rather the entire town shut down than risk your life.”

She went still. “You want me to leave?”

The hurt in her voice made my heart pang. “I don’t want you to leave. I want you safe.” I crossed the room, gently grabbing her hands and pulling her close. “I’m not a prisoner here. My contract was only for three years. I stayed because I enjoyed thequiet life here. If the interns go…then I’ll leave too. I want to be with you, Dani. For longer than your internship.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “I thought you didn’t do relationships.”

“I’ll do anything for you.”

Silence blanketed the room as she froze. Her guard was up as always. She didn’t know what to make of my words, which I’d been expecting. But I couldn’t deny it stung a little. I was all fucking in with her.

Nolan appeared, pulling the curtain back, giving me an annoyed look. “Can I finish examining you now?”