Page 29 of Kiss of Deceit

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said hastily. “You’re not going to go back down that trail? You nearly went over the cliff last time?—”

“No,” she cut him off. “I learned my lesson. I’ll be staying out of the woods. I’ll see you later.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heels and went down another street that was heading the complete opposite way of my house. Miles hesitated before walking slowly toward his place. My curiosity grew as I trailed behind her. Hearing how she almost fell off the cliff had me feeling uneasy. She didn’t tell me that—not that she told me anything.

The farther she went, the more curious I became. She wasn’t leisurely strolling but seemed to know exactly where she wasgoing. We were heading north and soon were on the outskirts of town. The only other thing out here was the factory.

I silently rubbed my hands together, regretting leaving my jacket at the bar. It was fucking freezing out, especially when the wind picked up. Dani had on a warm, fluffy jacket, but her hands weren’t in the pockets, even though I was sure she was cold. I narrowed my eyes, watching her shadow in the moonlight. Her back was straight, and her steps were light and quiet. She tilted her head as if listening for something.

My next step faltered. SheknewI was following her. Well, she probably didn’t think it was me, but she was aware someone was tailing her. Yet, she didn’t run away. Or turn to look at me. She was keeping her hands free in case she needed them, which was why they weren’t in her pockets.

She continued heading toward the factory, and I upped my pace, closing the gap between us. Did she have no fear? Or was she so confident that she could handle any threat in the dark of the night?

The lights of the factory came into view, and soon Dani was only a few feet from the ten-foot fence that enclosed the entire building. She raised her head, looking at the sharp barbed wire that ran along the top.

“Whoever you are, this is your only warning to fuck off,” she called out, the wind carrying her words. “I might have run when you followed me in the woods, but I’ve learned since then.”

My pulse thudded unevenly. She sounded nothing like she usually did. The promise of violence was thick in her voice, and when she spun around, I caught sight of a small blade in her hand. She couldn’t see me in the shadows, and I crouched down more, wanting to know what she was going to do next.

I wasn’t expecting her to throw the damn knife.

A grunt left me when I slammed into the cold ground, the knife flying just above my head before it hit the tree behind mewith a loud thud. She threw the weapon with practiced ease, and by the time I got over my shock and looked back at her, she already had another knife in her grasp.

“Fucking hell,” I grumbled under my breath as I climbed to my feet. I raised my voice so she could hear me. “You kill me, then there’s going to be problems.”

I stepped into plain view, watching as she aimed the blade until she recognized me in the moonlight. Her jaw dropped, and she glared, keeping the knife pointed my way. My heart was still pounding from how close she’d gotten to hitting me, but I kept my expression neutral as I stared at her.

“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed, anger swallowing her surprise.

“Someone followed you in the woods?” I ignored her question while striding closer. “When?”

“Are you kidding?” she sputtered, her grip on the knife tightening. “It was probably you that night since you’re doing the same thing right now.”

“No,” I said slowly. “I only followed you tonight.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I was outside the bar when you and that guy left,” I said, my irritation growing.

“And what?” She let out a humorless laugh. “Then you decided to follow me?”

I ground my teeth, fury lining my veins. But she was fucking right, which only made me more annoyed. I had no good reason for following her out here.

“Where’d you learn to handle a knife like that?” I questioned, changing the subject as I crept closer to her.

Her eyes flashed with warning, stopping me in my tracks. “I learned so I can protect myself from men who decide to follow me in the dead of the night. Do you get off on scaring women? First the woods, and now tonight?—”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I exploded, my hands balling into fists. “But if someone was stalking you before, why are you out here now?”

A lethal smirk tipped up her lips. “Do I look scared, Kole?”

“I know where you live,” I murmured in a low voice. “Where you sleep. Why would I need to follow you through the woods? I’m here tonight because I was curious. That’s it.”

Before she could answer, a beam of light broke through the darkness. Dani whirled around as a guy with a flashlight appeared on the other side of the fence.

“This is private property,” he yelled, glaring at Dani. “You need to leave before I call the sheriff.”

I nearly snorted, knowing Harry wouldn’t be driving anytime soon since he was at my bar, and I took his keys after his third whiskey. I strode forward, my footsteps making the guy shine his light on me.