Page 108 of David

“What?”

“I’ve heard men talking inside the house.”

I lean back to get a better look inside the mansion. Sadly, I can’t see much.

“I’m of no help,” I say. “But I need to use the bathroom, so I’ll take a peek for you.”

“Forget about it. I’m coming with you.”

16

LIZ

The housekeeper directs us to the restroom on the first floor, and Chloe uses it first. And I’m next.

She’s waiting for me outside when I exit the restroom.

“Do you feel better?” I ask.

“I don’t know. I think I need to go home.”

“Already?”

“Yes. I’m tired. And grumpy. Do you plan to stay much longer?”

“I don’t want to leave right now. Can’t you wait a little longer?”

“Like twenty minutes?”

“Maybe more?”

Still negotiating, we make the trip back when the male voices we have heard before trail across the first floor.

“Shit. They’re coming here,” Chloe says.

“I don’t think they’re coming here,” I argue. “There’s nothing here.”

I gesture at our surroundings. A large space opens into the main hallway. This looks like a lounge area.

“Then maybe somewhere nearby,” Chloe insists as she rounds the corner.

Moving quickly to keep up with her, I’m about to argue with her again when two men enter my line of sight.

James Sexton talks to a man whose back is turned to us. Something looks familiar about him.

The door is cracked open as James signals the man to follow him inside.

James' eyes fall on us first before the other man has the chance to vanish inside.

Chloe makes a soft gesture as in ‘we're only passing through’ when the other man turns his head to us.

Somehow, he locks my eyes first, and I stumble, almost falling into Chloe’s back.

Startled, she swivels to me, and I feel like my cheeks are about to melt off.

“You okay?” James asks, studying me with his astonishing dark green eyes.

A soft, knowing smile clings to his lips.

---