Page 117 of Lost Lyrebird

He laughs.“Fuck yeah, she did.She can’t wait to smash it once she’s in remission.It’s like a little reminder each day as she drinks her coffee that she’s gonna beat it and then be back to raising hell.”

I smile widely at this.“I love that.”

“Thanks for caring enough to think about her.”

I nod and say, “Of course.”I don’t tell him that it’s not just for her, it’s for him too.

He walks up to me and pulls me into his arms.The hug I give him is intended to convey friendship and comfort.But after a few minutes of holding one another, he lifts my chin and kisses me.

I go through the motions, do all the right things to make it appear as if I’m into it.

But Deeds must sense something’s off because he pulls back and stares down at me.“What’s up with you?”

“Nothing.My head’s just on the job, you know.”

He studies me for a moment longer and steps back.“All right.If you say so.”Which is said sarcastically and with a raised eyebrow.

“I just… got a lot on my mind.”

He exhales and fishes his keys out of his jeans.“Guess, I’ll get back on the road then.”

He’s fishing, feeling me out, wondering or maybe hoping if I’ll invite him to spend the night, which is a bad idea on so many levels, but that’s not why I don’t.

Honestly, it’s that my body felt absolutely nothing this time when he kissed me.If anything, it rebelled.Which is disturbing, because I’ve always been attracted to Deeds.

Fucking Finn.

My head’s all messed up over him, and this weird distance between us that developed after the incident at the bar.

We’d fought about him trying to be my protector that night, and since then, he’d backed off.

Which is what I wanted, or at least what I told myself I wanted, because my focus needed to be elsewhere now that Veno was aware I was back in town.

I guess what’s thrown me for a loop is that he’s been content to keep the distance this time, even though he also seems to be watching me from afar, and still throws those intense looks my way.It’s possible he’s grieving the loss of his friend, or it could be that Veno’s threats had him reevaluating things, but either way, it’s another unanswered question mark in our non-relationship.

Deeds jingles his keys, waiting.

I force another smile I don’t feel.“Raincheck?”

The corner of his mouth kicks to the side.He nods.“Raincheck.”

“Be careful,” I say.

“You too, babe.”He closes the distance, places a kiss on my forehead, and walks away without looking back.

I remain in the empty graveyard long after he’s gone.I use the suitcase as a chair while I plan my next movements and listen to the sounds of silence.

CHAPTER 33

Acting like prey in a dangerous environment may be the very reason you become prey.

Stone texts me an invite to a party at the clubhouse.His text comes as I’m leaving Bethany’s house after checking in on her.I debate for a while as I drive back to my place.

I know what I need to do.I have for months.But stepping on this path is going to be the most difficult part of my plan to get closer to the HOCs.

After heading home, I shower and dry my hair, and text Stone my yes.Then, I painstakingly decide what to wear while I repaint my nails a dark red color.Not wanting to set the standards too high to begin with, I chose sexy, lacy black lingerie.For my outfit, I go with a distressed black-and-white crop tank top with Motley Crue written in red lettering across the chest, pairing it with ripped cutoffs and strappy heels.

When I arrive at 9:00 p.m., Stone is waiting for me in the parking lot and escorts me inside the clubhouse.