Page 105 of Secret Love

Chapter 34

Fox

That’s my girl.

I kick the broken bottle bits into the grass.

Darla tilts her head, impressed. “Damn,” she says, gliding in the rocking chair on the porch.

I glance across the field. “She’s a quick study.”

She chews on her lip as she stares hard at me. “So, turns out… I was completely wrong about you.”

I smile. “You think so?”

“This isn’t narcissism at all,” she says. “This is something else entirely.”

I step up onto the porch and bend over to grab my black duffel off the bench. “Well, go on. Don’t leave me hanging here.”

“I can’t!” She laughs. “Your issues are way out of my league.”

“Good.” I reach into the bag for Caleb’s revolver and pop it open to reload. “It’ll make it easier for you to forget about.”

“Forget?” she asks. “I’m pretty sure I’m going to remember this until the day I die.”

“Of all people, I don’t think I have to explain the value of discretion to you, Darla.”

“Oh, of course. You’re a former assassin in love with his super famous stepsister who hung out with an escort who looks just like her to make yourself feel better. I completely understand why you wouldn’t want that getting out…” Her voice trails off into a chuckle. “The last person I want to piss off is a contract killer, am I right?”

“Right.”

She scans me with nervous eyes. “But you’d never, you know… kill me, right? You’re retired.” I pick up the duffel bag. “Right?”

I leave the question dangling. Her face turns white as I step inside the house.

Mrs. Clark sits in her chair in the living room with Sammy lingering next to her feet. He doesn’t move from his place but he keeps his eyes on me as I move into the room.

“He’s not growling,” I note. “I guess that’s progress.”

“Well, after seeing you beaten and bloodied, I bet he views you quite differently,” she says. “An animal can’t see what’s inside. He can only smell what’s on the outside. Now, he knows you’re as fragile as the rest of us.”

“I could have told him that.”

“He’s a stupid dog. What do you expect?”

I smile and look at my feet. “I’m sorry about bringing you into this, Mrs. Clark. I had no right—”

“I’m going to stop you there, kid,” she says, pushing herself out of the chair. “I don’t need an apology from you, so save it.” She points a stern finger at me. “You take that energy and you put it to good use out there. Those girls are counting on you.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” She pauses, smiling up at me with wrinkled eyes. “And besides… it’s about time this old bird saw a little action again.”

I laugh. “You should get downstairs.”

“On my way. Come on, Sammy.”

“And don’t come out,” I add. “Please.”

---