Page 33 of Only One More Lie

He’d noticed her breathing become more labored, her body become tense.

She said nothing.

After a few minutes, he murmured, “You okay?”

She nodded a little too quickly. “Just tired.”

He didn’t believe her, but he was trying to give her space. When she was ready, she would talk. But he hated being in the dark.

He only wanted to help her. He’d do anything for her. She knew that, didn’t she?

“I just . . . I just want to not talk for a moment,” she finally said.

His heart sagged with disappointment, but he accepted her request. “Whatever you need.”

As Andi leaned against his chest, Duke planted a kiss on top of her head.

If Duke had his way, he’d propose to Andi now, and they could pick a wedding date in the near future. Andi was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He’d known it for a while and, now that he had resolution with Celeste, there shouldn’t be anything holding them back.

Except there was.

Whatever was going on with Andi, Duke would wait for her as long as necessary. He hated to see her struggling. However, he hoped she’d come out stronger in the end. Until then, he’d be there for her whenever needed.

He also dealt with some guilt. Andi would have never been in that situation with an extremely misguided doctor if it hadn’t been for him. They’d been following those leads because of his desire to gain information about Celeste.

His actions had put Andi in danger—and could have ultimately ended her life. He thought about that fact often.

Several minutes later, Andi stirred and murmured, “I should go to bed.”

“You do need your rest.”

She glanced up at him, and her gaze softened. Then, the next instant, the walls went up again.

She stood abruptly, her gaze fluttering. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Duke wished she could stay in his arms, where he could keep an eye on her—especially until he knew what was going on at the camp—and what was going on in her mind and heart.

CHAPTER 15

DECEMBER, THIS YEAR

THREE DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT MURDER

Andi awoke with a start.

She’d heard something. She was sure of it.

Cold sweat covered her forehead.

What if the killer was here?

Her gaze skittered to the clock beside her. Three-thirty a.m.

She reached for Mariella and shook her. “Mariella? Are you awake?”

Her friend blinked before stirring. “What is it?”

“I heard something.”

---