Page 167 of Kiss of Deceit

“I don’t trust that Brady can handle the bar by himself,” he grated out, a note of annoyance in his voice. “I doubt he’ll last more than a month.”

I laughed. “This is the seventh person since Adella left. You can’t keep firing people, Kole.”

“I can if they don’t know how to do the job.”

“I hear no on in the factory wants to work with you,” I teased. “They don’t want to get sent back until they’re assigned to a new job.”

Even though I was aware the factory was a prison, no one ever called it what it really was. For the last six months, I’d been going to the factory with Susan to conduct interviews with inmates to see who would enter Winterlake next, and what jobs they would have.

Those interviews were my favorite part of working. It let me get into the minds of people, and my notes helped choose those who would be a good choice for Winterlake—and those who should never see the light of day.

“How was your talk with Susan?” he asked, changing the subject. He kept his arm around me as we walked down the street.

“It was…interesting,” I said slowly, nerves fluttering. “Apparently, she thinks I can handle the real world.”

Shock spread across his features, halting his steps. “You mean leave Winterlake?”

I nodded. “Not right away, but I won’t be here for another eight years…unless I want to stay.”

“Is that what you want?” he questioned. “To leave?”

I grinned. “What do you want? Because I go where you go, Kole.”

The door to the café opened, and about six people crowded the sidewalk, interrupting our conversation. They greeted us as they strode past, heading to the factory. I glanced through the café window, giving Gina a small wave. There had been a few people working at the café ever since Hallie was killed. Most of the town had changed in the last two years.

Riggs left more than a year ago, and I hoped he was staying out of trouble. Harry was still here, but I had a feeling it was his choice, more than Susan’s. He didn’t seem to have any urgency to want to leave like most here. I missed Adella, but from her emails, she was doing well in her new life.

This place was a revolving door, and soon it would change again. Next month, interns would be arriving. It was the first time newcomers were coming to Winterlake since I’d come here two years ago. The murders had halted that part of the program until now.

“I don’t care where we go,” Kole murmured, turning his attention back to me. “I just want you.”

We didn’t need to make up our minds right now. My life was exactly what I wanted. Winterlake started as a nightmare but had become my little island of happiness. Kole and I lived every day how we wanted, and there wasn’t one thing I’d change.

I raised on my tiptoes, giving him a hungry kiss. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. Because you’re stuck with me.”

“Just say the word, Dani.” He grasped my chin, meeting my eyes. “I’ll follow wherever you want. Forever.”