Page 20 of Desperate Valentine

“I don’t know—you tell me. Mila let me in on a little secret on our way over here.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Something about the St. Valentines Butcher? Which I now know is not just one person, but two!”

“Oh, that. Yeah.”

“Really? That’s all you have to say?”

“What else am I supposed to say? Now you know, which saves me from having to explain it.”

“You could have told me yesterday.”

“A lot happened yesterday. I didn’t think to mention it.”

“You know what this means, right?”

“Enlighten me.”

“I can’t be around you. Whatever…thing we had going on, has to stop now.”

“Does it? Let’s not forget why we were so busy yesterday. You’re just as guilty as I am. I may have killed more people but—”

“It’s not the same! It was self-defense!”

“Then why didn’t you call the cops? Why did you end up at my bar instead?”

“I panicked! It’s not like I’m used to killing people, unlike you!” I shriek.

“I have an idea.”

“What?”

“Meet me here at the bar in a few minutes. Gunner needs me to do something for him, then you can see what I do and why I do it.”

“Fuck that!”

“Veronica, please.”

I remain silent for a few long seconds, contemplating whether to trust him or not. If he was going to hurt me, he would have long before now. He still could, if he wanted to.

“I don’t trust you.”

“Give it time. I swear I’m not a bad person, Veronica.”

“Fine. I’ll grab a few things and then I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.”

“Should I call and reschedule the delivery?” I ask.

“I’ll have you back in time. This won’t take long.”

“I’m on my way,” I say, ending the call without another word.

***

When I pull up in front of the bar, I wait for a few minutes before Jude comes walking out the front doors.

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