Page 132 of Kiss of Deceit

Dani cleared her throat. “I’ll wait in the lobby.”

I tightened my hold when she moved to walk away. “Don’t leave without me.”

“I won’t,” she muttered. “I’m too tired to fight for my life again tonight.”

Her attempt at a joke fell flat when I glanced at her injuries. I almost lost her. I had no idea why the murderers were targeting her, but I did know they wouldn’t touch her. It didn’t matter what I had to do—she’d be leaving Winterlake alive.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

kole

Adella crossed her arms.“We still don’t know whose blood it was?”

I glanced at the bar. It had taken forever to clean up the bloody mess. My bar hadn’t been open since. “No. I’m guessing it was someone from the factory, just like the blood Riggs found.”

It had been five days since Dani and I were attacked in our home. I hadn’t let her out of my sight since. There had been chatter all over town about the interns leaving. A handful left on the helicopter yesterday, and somehow, Dani managed to stay. But it didn’t last long. Susan had told Dani that she was scheduled to leave tomorrow.

I was fucking torn about it. Did I want Dani to leave?No.But I also knew she wasn’t safe here. If it kept her alive, then she needed to leave.

“You gonna be okay tomorrow?” Adella muttered under her breath. “You’ve become obsessed with the intern.”

Adella was at the station earlier this morning when Dani found out she would be leaving. I gritted my teeth, tearing my eyes from the bar to meet her stare.

“She should go,” I grumbled. “She’ll be safer.”

“I’m not leaving,” Dani announced from across the bar as she absentmindedly organized the liquor bottles. “I’m going to talk to Susan tonight.”

“And say what?” I asked, tilting my head. “You tried that earlier and got nowhere.”

A scowl was on her lips when she turned to look at me. “I don’t care what I have to do, I’m staying here.”

There was a knock on the door before it was pulled open. Riggs entered, ignoring my glare while greeting Dani and Adella.

“Did you miss the closed sign?” I gritted out. “The place isn’t open—won’t be for a while.”

Adella patted my arm. “He’s here for me. I need to get home and really don’t feel like becoming the next victim.”

Dani’s small smile fell when Monty sauntered in after Riggs. His confidence faltered when he met my gaze. His eyes slid to Dani, and I took a step forward, straightening my spine.

“I saw Riggs coming in. I thought maybe you were open,” Monty said, his voice thick with challenge.

“Even if my bar was open, you wouldn’t be in it,” I growled, my patience already nonexistent. “Get the fuck out.”

Monty ignored my words, lingering near the door. “I want to talk to her.”

“Not happening.”

“Fine.”

Dani answered at the same time as I did, and my gaze cut to her, a frown tipping my lips. She lifted her chin, defiance brewing in her eyes.

“No,” I gritted out. “He should be thanking me that he’s still breathing after what he did.”

“She’sthe one who did something,” Monty hissed, his calm demeanor long gone. “She killed my friends. I know she’s leaving tomorrow. I want answers before she skips town.”

“Gossip still flies even with a curfew,” Adella said, attempting to lighten the mood.

“Turn around before you regret it,” I ordered, letting threat enter my voice.