Page 140 of Kiss of Deceit

But when it came to her, it was almost impossible to detangle her truths and lies.

The factory came into view, and Dani perked up. Ever since she found out it was also a prison, she’d wanted to snoop. Now she wouldn’t get the chance.

The noise of an engine cut through the air, and we all looked behind us to see Harry’s truck. A couple more interns were farther behind, trekking along with their luggage. Harry nodded to me as they passed, and Susan was in the passenger seat, barely sparing us a look before going farther into the trees.

“She gets a ride, but the people with the suitcases have to walk,” Miles mumbled bitterly.

The truck parked ahead of us between two massive pine trees. It only took us a few minutes to catch up, and by then, Harry was leaning against his truck door, smoking a cigarette. Susan was all business and had her clipboard out with the list of intern names who were leaving.

“Miles, Dani, Trish, and Jared,” she listed them off, even though two of them were still far behind, trying to carry their suitcases through the heavy snow. “I’m going to have to request a second helicopter, or it will take weeks to get all the interns out of town.”

“I can just stay.”

Susan lifted her head when Dani spoke. “Not an option. You’re scheduled to leave today, and that will be happening.”

Dani clenched her jaw, not saying a word. Her lack of arguing had me staring, nerves flooding my veins. Why did I have a feeling she was up to something?

Susan raised her arm to check her watch. “The helicopter will be here in ten minutes. We’ll wait near the pad. If this trip is quick, they might be able to do two today.”

“Any updates?” Adella asked, adjusting her beanie.

“No,” Harry answered with a shake of his head. “We are still questioning?—”

“We will update everyone when we can,” Susan cut in briskly. “Let’s get going, please.”

She led the way to the helicopter pad, her boots sinking in the snow. I fell into step with Dani, refusing to let her leave without her talking to me.

“Don’t shut me out,” I breathed out. “Not now.”

She stiffened, her guarded eyes meeting mine. “I’m not. You’re the one who was giving me the third degree at home.”

I let out a long breath. “I was not. All I did was ask where the hell you went in the dead of night when masked killers are after you. You know I worry about you.”

“And you know how careful I am,” she retorted. “I wanted one last chance to find the assholes who are stalking me.”

“Did you find anything?”

“Obviously not, since I’m about to leave Winterlake.”

“Fuck, Dani,” I hissed in a whisper. “Talk to me. You should know by now that you can trust me.”

Her gaze softened a fraction. “I do trust you, Kole.”

“Ready to get the hell out of this place?” Miles asked, interrupting us. He got close enough to Dani to brush against her puffy jacket. “I can’t wait to hit the beaches again. If you’re ever in Florida?—”

Adella’s gasp cut off his words, and my eyes snapped to her. She was staring straight ahead, her face paling. I followed her gaze, my stomach plummeting. Dani halted beside me, her coffee dropping from her hand.

In front of us, in the center of the massive cement slab was a body sprawled out on its back. Harry spat out a slew of curses, going after Susan as she ran closer. The rest of us followed behind, and Miles sucked in a breath when we got closer.

I read the bloodied message, my heart beating faster.

No one leaves. Or more will die.

Fresh snow covered the body, but it wasn’t enough to obscure his identity. Monty’s lifeless corpse laid there, with a knife protruding from his chest. His eyes were open, staring at the cloudy sky.

By now, the other two interns caught up, and they were staring at the scene with horror etched on their faces. Miles didn’t move a muscle, his suitcase forgotten beside him. My eyes slid to Dani, her face a mask of shock. Her coffee had splattered her pants when she dropped it, but she didn’t seem to notice as she looked at Monty’s bloodied body.

“What now?” Harry asked, looking at Susan for direction.