Page 25 of Kiss of Deceit

A couple people glanced at me through the window as they passed the café, and as I watched, a thought began nagging at me.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” Hallie said once the women left. “You don’t even know me.”

“Where are the kids?” I blurted out, changing the subject. She didn’t respond, and I turned to look at her. My stomach dipped at the uneasy look on her face. “I haven’t seen any kids since I’ve been here.”

She forced out a laugh. “There aren’t any kids here.”

My lips parted in shock. “Excuse me?”

“No kids,” she repeated.

“Why?”

“There aren’t any schools in Winterlake.” She crossed her arms, her demeanor stiff. “No playgrounds. It’s not a place to raise a family.”

She was standoffish and curt, nothing like her bubbly self. Was she lying to me? My pulse thrummed faster. How was it possible that there were no children here?

“And what happens if a woman gets pregnant?” I questioned.

“They move.”

That made absolutely no sense to me. I liked Hallie, but I couldn’t stop the pestering feeling that she was hiding something from me.

I nearly missed someone walking in until the door clicked shut. Hallie’s sharp intake of breath had me straightening my spine. The guy strolled in, his cocky swagger already putting me on edge. His blond hair was long, and he had it pulled behind his head. He focused right on Hallie, his black work boots tracking in dirt. His jeans were torn in one knee, and he was wearing a hoodie that swallowed him. Everything about him screamed trouble.

“Go away, Lucas,” Hallie snapped irritably. “I’m not in the mood.”

“In the mood for what?” he asked as she hurried behind the counter where he didn’t follow. “I just wanted to say good morning to my girl.”

“I’m not yours anymore. Leave me alone. You’re going to bother my customers.”

Lucas’s attention turned my way, annoyance flashing in his blue eyes when he realized someone else was in here. I held his stare, keeping my face expressionless.

“An intern,” he drawled with a sneer. “I need a moment with my girl, so you can leave.”

“I’m fine here,” I said, not hiding my dislike of him. “It doesn’t sound like she wants to talk to you anyway. Why don’t you leave?”

He scowled as he spun toward Hallie. “Take a break and come outside with me.”

Fear flashed in her eyes. “No.”

He stalked around the counter, catching her arm when she tried getting away. I flew to my feet, leaving my bag on the table. He was already dragging her toward the door as she screamed and struggled. My shock that he was so brazen to do this in front of me faded as I concentrated on stopping him.

I lunged forward, blocking the door, and he slammed into me before I shoved him back. Hallie had tears in her eyes, her lip trembling as Lucas’s fingers dug into her arm.

“Let her go, and leave,” I demanded, my voice cold. “Right now.”

“Get the fuck out of my way,” he snarled. “Before you regret it.”

A rush shot through me, and I welcomed it with open arms. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, the danger of this situation only increasing my excitement. This man didn’t scareme. I told myself years ago that fear would never control me again. I was nearly killed by monsters, and ever since then I’d worked hard to never be prey again.

A lethal laugh escaped my lips, and I tilted my head. “I won’t regret anything. But you will, if you don’t let her go.”

Hallie’s eyes flicked to me in surprise at the change in my voice. I bit my tongue, reminding myself to tread carefully. This town was supposed to be a new start for me. I couldn’t fall back into old habits that would get me in trouble.

“I work at the sheriff’s office,” I murmured. “I can make your life difficult.”

Lucas stared at me for a moment before snickering. “I have friends there. You can’t do anything.”