Page 31 of Kiss of Deceit

“I don’t work at the police station,youdo. Ask Harry these questions.”

She narrowed her eyes, her annoyance flaring when she realized I wasn’t going to give her any answers. She was an intern. People in this town took care of things in their own way, and to them, she was an outsider.

“Fine, don’t answer me.” She whirled around, stalking away from me. “Leave me alone, Kole. And stop fucking following me.”

This time, I let her walk away. My heart was hammering against my ribs, her questions echoing in my head. For her sake, she needed to drop all of this. I let out a curse, heading back toward town. This was why I hated when interns arrived. The calmness always disappeared when new faces appeared. But Dani was taking it farther than she should. The secrets of Winterlake were meant to stay buried.

If she attempted to uncover them, she might never leave here.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

dani

“Aren’t you cold?”

I glanced to the side to see Miles walking closer. He was wearing a pair of black scrubs under his thick jacket, and had a backpack slung over his shoulder. Impatience clung to me when he stopped at my side. Maybe this was the sign I needed tonotgo through with my plan. For it to work, I needed to be alone.

“A little,” I answered, holding my hot coffee with both hands. “I’m used to the cold.”

I was standing outside the café and had already told Natalie that I wouldn’t be coming into work today. The second I told her that I had a sore throat, she pretty much demanded I stay home since she didn’t want to get sick. Which was why I didn’t want to be out in public long so that my cover story didn’t get botched.

“I’ve barely seen you,” he said, his slight pout almost making me roll my eyes. “I thought we were going to plan a dinner.”

Miles was nice, but he wasn’t my type. Not that I had one, since I had no desire to be in a relationship. I bit my tongue, knowing I was lying to myself. Obviously I had a type since I was avoiding Kole. Was I attracted to him? Yes. Did I trust him?No. Which was why I hadn’t spoken to him since the night he’d followed me to the factory.

“I’m not feeling great,” I said, letting my voice get a little raspy. “Sore throat. I needed some hot coffee, and now I’m about to go home and sleep.”

He looked at me with concern. “You need anything? I can get you some meds?—”

“I’m fine,” I promised, giving him a small smile. “I think it’s just a cold.”

“Well, if it gets worse, stop at the clinic,” he said. “You’ll need antibiotics if it’s strep.”

“I will.”

With that, he walked away, and I guessed he didn’t want to get sick either. I leaned back against the wall, staring down the road. The night shift at the factory should have let out fifteen minutes ago which meant Lucas should be on his way here to harass Hallie at the café.

I really shouldn’t be doing this. Inserting myself into other peoples’ business. But after seeing the scar that Lucas left on Hallie, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. I’d seen him in the café again twice this week, and her fear reminded me of how I used to be. No one should have to experience that.

Soon, I spotted factory workers making their way into town. Excitement trailed through me when I spotted Lucas. He was headed this way, and I made sure to catch his eye before I pushed off the wall and began walking away. Spotting a trash can, I tossed my coffee inside, wanting to keep my hands free. I kept my steps quick as if I was moving to avoid him. Turning down another street near my condo, I cut between two buildings.

Soon, the scent of pine needles surrounded me as I entered the forest. It was the same trail I’d been on that led to the cliff. Quiet footsteps alerted me that Lucas was following like I expected. The back of my neck prickled when he got closer, andit took everything not to turn around. He wouldn’t attack me right away—he liked to instill fear first. He was cocky and didn’t plan. I knew he’d jump at the chance to follow me.

“Wandering alone is dangerous.”

His voice came from right behind me, and I let out a fake gasp of panic. Before I could turn around, something sharp landed on my spine, and he pressed hard enough to make sure I could feel it through my jacket.

“What are you doing?” I squeaked out, looking over my shoulder at him.

Lucas met my eyes, his gaze dark and full of danger. He was enjoying this like I knew he would. And I welcomed it. If he hurt me, then I’d have the evidence I’d need to go to the sheriff. Maybe I could get him out of Hallie’s life.

“You should have minded your business,” he growled, shoving me forward. “Keep walking.”

I argued with him as we walked, letting my voice sound shrill from panic. Even I was proud of my acting. I could disarm him and get that little pocketknife from his hold in under three moves. But I let him keep the pretense of control for now. He forced me to go deeper in the woods, and I studied my surroundings. This was the first time I’d been in the woods during the day.

“Not so tough now, are you?” he taunted, pushing the blade harder to the point where I was positive that he broke my skin.

Real panic cut through for a moment before I could force it away. The pain of being stabbed in the stomach all those years ago bubbled to the surface.That wouldn’t happen again. I wouldn’t let it. I was in control here.