Page 45 of Kiss of Deceit

My pulse strummed uneasily. “I was sick. I thought I could stomach some coffee that morning, but I was wrong.”

I turned down my street, relief hitting me when I saw my house. There was no part of me that wanted to continue this conversation. He might not have proof, but he was suspicious.

“I think you had something to do with Lucas dying,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “And if you did that, then maybe you had something to do with Jillian’s murder too.”

“I haven’t done anything,” I replied coolly. “Making accusations doesn’t do anything, Tristin. I find it highly disrespectful that you’re insinuating I had something to do with the deaths in this town.”

I got to the small front porch, but when I reached for the keypad to unlock the door, he snatched my wrist, yanking me closer. I let out a pained cry, acting the part of a small, weak woman. With his mistrust of me, he didn’t need to know that I had the training to overpower him.

“You’re hurting me,” I lied, trying to feebly pull away. “Tristin?—”

“What did you do to Lucas?” he spat out, his eyes gleaming with rage. “You were the last person he talked to.”

“I didn’t do anything.” I let my voice tremble. “Let me go.”

“I don’t believe you.” He pulled me closer. “Maybe I need to ask the questions in a different way.”

The cruel gleam in his eyes should have scared me, but it only made excitement rush through my veins. I had already guessed it, since he was Lucas’s best friend. But I’d given him the benefit of the doubt that he was a good person. As I locked eyes with him, I knew I was wrong. He was eager to hurt me to get his answers. He would take pleasure in it.

“I didn’t do anything,” I shrieked when he let go of my wrist, only to grab my throat.

His fingers dug into my skin, and he squeezed hard enough that I was choking out breaths. If he didn’t release me, I’d have to do something to stop him before I lost consciousness.

“Everything started when you fucking interns showed up,” he growled, pushing my arm away when I tried grabbing his wrist. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”

I couldn’t answer even if I wanted to. My head began getting foggy, and a slice of panic hit me before I really began struggling.

Tristin let out a sudden yell of pain before letting me go as he was shoved away from me. He stumbled back, his ass hitting the sidewalk. Another body rushed past me, and I sucked in a lungful of air as I watched Kole grab the collar of Tristin’s shirt, hauling him back to his feet.

“What are you doing here?” Tristin sputtered, not making a move to tear away from Kole’s hold.

“You come to my porch,” Kole growled, his voice downright terrifying, “put hands on her, and have the fucking nerve to ask me whatI’mdoing?”

“Your porch?” Tristin sputtered out, his eyes darting to me as understanding dawned. “I forgot she was living with you?—”

“Even if she wasn’t living with me, you think this is okay?” Kole cut him off sharply. “One word from me, and Harry will fire you. What happens if you lose your job in this town, Tristin?”

His face paled, fear flashing in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I just wanted answers.”

I rubbed my throat, watching in shock. Kole always had a dangerous aura around him, but this was completely different. He looked capable of seriously hurting Tristin. Rage was simmering off him, and when he glanced at me, a shiver ran down my spine. I never feared him, but if I was in Tristin’s position, I’d be uneasy.

His eyes darkened even more when his gaze traveled to my neck. “He hurt you?”

“I’m okay.” I cleared my throat, my voice still slightly rough from Tristin choking me.

“She talked to Lucas the day he died,” Tristin blurted out. “I wanted to know why.”

Kole shoved him away, and I smothered a gasp when he threw a punch into Tristin’s jaw. Tristin staggered back, blood dripping from his busted lip. His eyes darted to me for a split second before Kole moved, blocking his view of me.

“I catch you talking to her again, we’re going to have a fucking problem,” Kole threatened menacingly. “Understand?”

“I got it,” Tristin muttered, wiping his mouth. “But don’t forget whoyouare, Kole. Defending a fucking intern over people in this town? That’s going to piss people off.”

Before Kole could respond, Tristin spun around and stormed down the street. I caught sight of a few people watching through their curtains, and my stomach knotted. Hopefully no one heard this conversation. I didn’t need questions coming up about Lucas’s death.

“Come on,” Kole said gruffly, nodding toward the open front door.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “You didn’t have to do that.”