Page 165 of Kiss of Deceit

“Want some ice cream? I have some in the freezer.”

Without answering, she awkwardly got off the stool, limping toward the pantry room. I followed after her, ignoring Adella’s teasing words about us just getting here. Once I closed the door, she slid onto the top of the freezer, leaning back on her hands.

With a grin, I took my place between her thighs, grasping her hips. From how her eyes were gleaming, she remembered the fun we had the last time we were in here. But I hadn’t touched her since she got hurt, and I wouldn’t until she was fully healed.

“Everyone thinks I’ve only killed two people,” she whispered, blowing out a breath. “If only they knew about my real past.”

“They don’t need to know.”

She nodded in agreement. “I’m sure Susan won’t let me forget when I talk to her every week.”

“You sure you’re happy here?” I questioned, needing to know. Though it wasn’t like she had much of a choice in the matter. It was either Winterlake or prison.

“Kole, I want you,” she promised, keeping my stare. “That’s all I care about. I liked Winterlake before everything started happening. I think this is the perfect place for me. You’re not worried about what Susan said?”

Susan’s words from last week drifted in my mind. She’d come to talk to me while Dani was sleeping one night. She still wasn’t convinced Dani could change. A serial killer with a craving thatcould never be sated. When I’d talked to Dani about it, she admitted she did crave it, but she didn’t need it.

“You’re mine, Dani. No matter what you do.”

She looked at me thoughtfully. “When I’m with you, I have no desire to do it. You overpower that for me. I could be with you forever and be happy.”

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my next words teasing. “Even when you’re in a town full of criminals?”

“It helps,” she admitted. “I can study their behavior. Learn why people do what they do. And I’m still doing what I want in a way. If there is someone here who does horrible things, I’m a voice that makes sure they never go back into society.” She paused. “But I don’t want to kill again. If I get caught, I’ll go back to prison. And I don’t want to lose you. You’re more important than anything, Kole.”

I grasped her chin, tilting her face up. “Keep saying things like that, and I’ll never let you go.”

She grinned wickedly. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I’m very good at stalking, Kole.I’mnever letting you go.”

“Good.”

I kissed her deeply, knowing she was the one I wanted forever with. Whether we stayed in Winterlake or moved somewhere else. She was my home now.

epilogue

DANI

TWO YEARS LATER

“I can admitwhen I’m wrong.” Susan set her notepad down, giving me a rare smile.

I shifted on the couch cushion. “Wrong about what?”

Her small office was the same as it had been since the first time I saw it two years ago when I began my weekly meetings with her. Kole hated coming here, and I wasn’t sure if that would ever change. It was easier for me because Susan knew some of my real past. Kole had to lie every time he sat on this couch. I did too, since Susan wasn’t aware that I was also studying everyone here and sending my findings back to Sean and the others who ran Winterlake.

“About you,” she said, an edge of resignation in her voice. “I was convinced you couldn’t change. I was wrong.”

My heart fluttered as I stared at her. “Really?”

“You’ve been here for two years. Every day you go work at the police station and have become quite the asset for the sheriff. When Harry leaves, the newcomer will be lucky to have you.”She paused as if assessing what to say next. “You have a steady relationship with Kole—something that surprised me.”

I bit my tongue, anger stinging me. “Why?”

“I know you were convicted of only murdering that senator’s son, but you and I both know that’s not the extent of your crimes.”

“I killed Leo and Miles. That’s why I’m in Winterlake.”

She shot me a knowing look. “Don’t treat me as a fool, Dani.”