Page 75 of Secrets Beneath the Waves

“Let me see.”

She hesitated but then flashed her hands when she couldn’t think of a reason not to. He winced when he saw how red they were. “Are you sure you want to go out?”

No. I want to stay home. But I can’t.

“It’s fine, really,” she said. “Just be careful when you try and hold my hand.”

The last thing she needed was Mark asking questions. Questions she wasn’t ready to answer.

“I have a surprise for you in the passenger seat, Ellie.”

He opened the door. On the seat was one red rose. He picked it up and handed it to her. She would’ve enjoyed it except standing there by the car, she felt like a duck on a pond.

“You seem distracted,” he said, his tone light, but his eyes carried unspoken questions. He looked around the neighborhood, following her gaze.

Ellie forced a thin smile. “I’m a little out of sorts from the fall.”

When he closed the door behind her, her eyes darted across the street, sweeping in every direction. Every nerve in her body was taut, every instinct on high alert. She could feel her pulse thud in her ears.

As Mark started the car and pulled out onto the main road, Ellie’s gaze flicked to the side mirror. A car eased out from a side street, its headlights briefly cutting across their path. She tensed but shook it off. Just a coincidence.

The car stayed behind them, maintaining a polite distance. Ellie told herself it was nothing—paranoia, her nerves working overtime. Still, her eyes darted back again and again.

Ellie’s breath quickened. Whoever it was knew how to tail someone without being noticed—too well. The only good thing was that it was an SUV, not a sedan.

When it got closer, recognition hit her like a slap.

Matthew.

Why was he following them?

Was he jealous or did he see himself as some overbearing guardian? Or worse, was it an act of betrayal? The Middle Eastern men wouldn’t have to go looking for her if Matthew alerted them to her whereabouts.

The thought burned through her mind like an out-of-control wildfire.

Her chest tightened with frustration.She struggled to contain the roiling storm of emotions.

Matthew’s motives might be noble, but even if he were jealous, he was out of line. She hadn’t completely rebuffed his advances but hadn’t given in to them either. They certainly didn’t have a commitment.

She could see where he might be hurt, though. He had come to her rescue today at great risk to his own life, only to be rushed out of the house. Probably now thinking she wanted to get rid of him because she had another date.

That wasn’t the case at all.

On the other hand, if Matthew thought this was his way of “protecting” her, he was wrong. She didn’t need his protection. Not that he could provide it. He’d never even killed a man. She had.

Her insides churned at the reminder.

Mark looked over at her with a puzzled look.

Had he said something? Did he ask me a question? Was it my turn to respond?

Pull yourself together, Ellie.

She didn’t dare let Mark know something was wrong. She couldn’t let him sense her spiraling fury.

When they reached the restaurant, Matthew parked a couple blocks away. Ellie’s jaw was shut tighter than a vice. Any trepidation had turned to unbridled rage.

Matthew? He was a wildcard. Jealousy. Protection. Betrayal. She didn’t know his motive.