Page 2 of Watch Me Burn

So. There’s something else you need to know about Clarity. If I thought living in New York meant I was surrounded by celebrities and supermodels, that’s nothing compared to thiscity. Seems like, on nearly every corner, you run into someone who belongs on the cover of GQ or Vogue.

This woman is no exception.

She has an ageless beauty that makes it hard to guess how old she is. If pressed, I’d say twenty-two, maybe twenty-three just based on her flawless pale complexion and the way she fills out the silky blood-red blouse she’s wearing on top of her slim black slacks. But then I look into her pale green eyes, and I wonder if she’s older and has either been blessed by genetics or a fabulous surgeon because she’s seen some shit.

No wonder the man seemed so desperate to cling to her. I’m into guys, and if this woman told me to follow her, I just might.

But that doesn’t change what I said. No means no, and if she doesn’t want anything to do with him, he needs to take a hint. If not, I’m more than happy to give it to him myself.

He’s a big guy, though, and I have no idea exactly what I walked in on—even if I can guess—so pushing him when he seems like he’s close to the edge? Probably not the smartest idea. This guy looks like he’s about to snap, and I’d rather not see Bridget Hayes be the first murder victim in Clarity in the last half-decade.

So I do what any nosy bystander who just realized her only weapon for defense is the phone in her pocket would do. I tug it out, showing it off to the man as I tell him, “If you don’t leave her alone, I’m calling the cops.”

I’m bluffing. Call the police? What will they do? Come to think of it, I’m not even sure I’ve seen a cop car in Clarity since I accidentally stumbled upon this city at the end of the bumpy, dusty narrow road I couldn’t turn my car around on. Who knows if they’ll even arrive in time to save either of us if this guydoessnap?

Luckily, the c-word seems to catch his attention.

He frowns. “The cops?”

“The Cadre,” murmurs Elise.

He takes a step away from her as though that’ll erase the way he grabbed her before. “We have an arrangement. There’s no reason to bring Thorn into it.”

“We had an arrangement, Peter.” What kind of accent is that, I wonder. Her voice is soft,musical, with a hint of an accent I can’t quite place as she goes on to add, “But you chose another. I understand. Delilah can give you something I can’t.”

His hand flies up to his chest, patting the front of his hooded sweatshirt. “It’s just a fang.”

It’s just awhat?

Ah, jeez. Not for the first time, I definitely found myself butting my nose in where it doesn’t belong. I have no idea what he means by ‘fang’, but the rest of their exchange? It’s pretty obvious now what’s going on. These two had a thing, now they don’t, and it’s not for a lack of trying on Peter’s part.

That doesn’t mean he gets to grab Elise to persuade her to give him another chance. And though the red marks on her arm have faded, I saw them before. They were there which tells me he was rougher than he needed to be when she tried to walk away.

Flicking my phone app open as obviously as I can, I press my thumb against the nine, showing off the screen.

Peter drops his hand. Eyes sliding over toward the woman with the ruby-red hair, he firms his jaw. “We’ll talk later, Elise. Tonight.”

“Go to Delilah,” she says softly—but not so softly that my cocked ears don’t pick up on it. “Goodbye, Peter.”

He glances at me again. I tighten my grip on my phone just in case he gets any ideas. He exhales roughly and, shoving his suddenly trembling hands into the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, he moves around Elise before heading down the street.

I wait until he’s turned the corner, disappearing out of sight, before I put the phone back in my pocket again.

Elise shifts so that she’s facing me. “Thank you…”

“Bridget, “ I supply.

“Thank you, Bridget. I’m Elise van Duren. If there’s some way I can repay you for your kindness…”

Elise Van Duren. Fancy, but it suits her. “Nice to meet you, Elise. And don’t mention it. I’ve met a couple of entitled guys in my life. Wished I had someone to stand up for me a time or two, so if I can, I will.”

“All the same, I appreciate it. Peter is usually harmless, but tonight I saw a different side of him.” Her nose wrinkles slightly, but not enough to mar her perfect features. “I didn’t care for it.”

“Ex not taking the break-up well?” I ask, hoping my question comes out more sympathetic than curious.

She purses her lips slightly. “Something like that.”

“Well, hopefully he’ll leave you alone now. If not, you know to call the authorities on him.” Cops. Cadre. Whatever. “You take care.”

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