Page 74 of Kiss of Deceit

Danielle.Kole took me by complete surprise when he guessed the name on the printed papers was me. I’d chosen Dani as my new name because it was something I would respond to. I didn’t want to change my identity—I just wanted the world to forget about me.

But the killer in this town knew my name. Fear washed through me. This wasn’t just about the murders in this town anymore. It was personal. I wanted to find him before Harry or anyone else did.

I straightened up when a small click alerted me that I wasn’t alone anymore. Heat flushed through me when I felt his stare. Ever since I’d revealed my scars to Kole, I didn’t hide them when I was home anymore. Right now, my hair was pulled up in a messy bun, my burn scars on display. I doubted he could see them in the dark, but I still wasn’t used to showing my vulnerability to him.

“It’s four in the morning, Dani.” Kole’s voice was gruff from sleep. “What are you doing?”

“How did you find out about this town?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the screen.

“What?”

“You didn’t grow up here. Since there are no kids or schools, I’m guessing no one was raised here.” I clicked out of the website before spinning the chair around. “How did you make the decision to move here?”

My stomach flipped when my eyes landed on him, and for the first time in days, a fire lit through my veins. This man wasn’t even trying, and he was distracting me from everything I’d been obsessing over ever since Natalie was murdered.

The light was on in his bedroom, casting a glow on him as he leaned against his bedroom doorframe with his arms crossed. His tatted chest was bare, his only piece of clothing a pair of gray sweatpants. A bandage was wrapped around his arm where his stitches were. His black hair was a tousled mess from sleep, and he cocked his head when I finally met his gaze. I licked my lips, trying to remember what I asked him.

He gave me a small grin. “Come to bed with me.”

“No,” I said, determined to find some answers. “I’m still working. And I want to sleep in my own bed.”

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he murmured. “Ever since…I’m sure that night wasn’t easy. Seeing Natalie die. And Miles getting stabbed right in front of you. You can talk to me.”

“You’re avoiding what I just asked you,” I shot back. “I’ve seen crime scenes worse than what happened at the police station. I’m fine.”

He frowned. “It wasn’t just a crime scene you were investigating. You were attacked. Someone you know was murdered. That’s a big difference.”

“My friends were murdered in front of me,” I reminded him coolly. “I’m not new to violence, Kole. I don’t need a therapist.”

“Fine,” he clipped out as he strode across the thick carpet. “But I do know you need sleep. You’ve been a walking zombie for days. You think I don’t hear you every night? How much sleep have you gotten this week?”

I didn’t have time to respond before he gently grabbed my upper arm, pulling me to my feet. A cry of surprise left me when he swept me into his arms before spinning around and heading to my bedroom. The only light was coming from the half moon since my curtains were open, but he didn’t have any problem finding my bed in the dark.

“Kole,” I protested, squirming in his hold. “I wasn’t done.”

“You can finish it later.”

He ignored my arguments, dumping me on the mattress. Shock tore through me when he climbed in with me, tugging the blankets out from under me and covering us. He snaked his arm around my stomach, pulling me closer until my back was against his chest.

“Sleep,” he ordered. “I’ll stay up.”

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. “What does that mean?”

“You’re watching. Waiting. It’s why your curtains are open.” He trailed his fingertips softly over my stomach. “You think the killer will come for you?—”

“I’ve been up because of research,” I cut him off. “To find the person who is doing this. I’m not scared.”

“I never said you were scared. But don’t lie to me. You’re not losing sleep because of research. You’re making sure you don’t get caught off guard. Tonight, you don’t have to worry—I’ll stay awake. No one will touch you.”

His light massage was already calming me, and he ran his fingers over my ribs, causing goosebumps to skate across my skin. He slipped his other arm under my pillow, getting comfortable.

“Relax,” he coaxed. “Let me in for once, Dani. Trust me.”

Trust no one.Natalie’s last words haunted me as I soaked in the warmth from Kole’s body. I was going crazy wondering what she’d meant by that. The police station was still under constant watch, and I hadn’t had a chance to use her computer with the password she gave me. Something I didn’t tell Harry or anyone else. Natalie wanted me to do it. Only me.

My heart thudded unevenly. Whether I admitted it or not, I did trust Kole to an extent. Here he was—in my bed with my back to him. I had no weapons on me since my knives were stolen. And the longer we laid here, the heavier my eyelids became. When was the last time I’d fallen asleep with someone in bed with me? I couldn’t remember.

Kole continued to softly massage me, his soothing touch bringing me closer to the sleep my body was so desperately craving.