Page 45 of Trust No One

“You’re allowed,” Dev said. “The first couple of times I saw someone die, I puked my guts out. So let’s walk slowly back to the car, go back to the hotel, and regroup. We’ll call Simon. See if he can meet us tonight. He’ll know who to call to report Larrimore’s death and Kingsley’s role in it.”

“Okay.” Mel squared her shoulders. “I’m good. Let’s go.”

But as she walked, Dev took her hand and twined their fingers together. The press of his palm against hers was comforting. Reassuring.

Shivering, she gripped his hand all the way to the car.

Chapter 16

They sat in the car for fifteen minutes, but when neither of them saw any sign of Kingsley, Dev put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking spot. He drove slowly past the spot where Larrimore’s body was hidden, then spotted the Marine’s white Oldsmobile in the parking lot. Kingsley’s car was gone.

Dev didn’t slow down, in case Kingsley had parked elsewhere and doubled back, but he told Mel, “Keep an eye open for Kingsley. He’s got to get rid of Larrimore’s car. And the body, too, if he’s smart, and we know he is.”

“I’m paying attention,” Mel said. She reached over and put her hand on his thigh, as if she needed to feel connected to him. Needed the comfort of his body beneath her fingers.

Her voice didn’t sound shaky, thank God. But he knew she was still reeling. Who wouldn’t be? You don’t brush off seeing someone killed in front of you. He’d seen plenty of people die, and it was always hard. Painful. Shocking.

They meandered through the park like a pair of tourists checking it out. When they came to an entrance, he exited. “Can you navigate us back to the hotel?” he asked Mel.

“On it,” she said, removing her hand from his thigh. He missed the contact immediately. He wanted to draw her hand back, but instead he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Mel needed to set the limits of their contact, and she’d just done that.

Her fingers flew over her phone, and a minute later, she plugged the phone into the dashboard screen and the route appeared.

Neither of them spoke as he drove back to the hotel. When they were in their rooms, with the doors locked, Dev knocked on the connecting door. Mel opened it immediately and threw herself into Dev’s arms.

Wrapping her arms around him, she burrowed into his embrace. Drew several shaky breaths, and Dev stroked his hand down her back. It felt… right to hold her. Comfort her. Like he was back where he belonged. He wished he could wave a magic wand and banish Mel’s memories of watching Larrimore die. Dropping to the ground. Sprawling there. Dead.

But he couldn’t. All he could give her was the comfort she needed.

Finally, Mel lifted her head. Stared into his eyes and let her hands drop away. “I’m so glad you were with me, Dev. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d been alone,” she said, her voice low. A little shaky.

Dev cupped his hands around her face. “You would have handled it, Mel. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

“Not so strong right now,” she said, managing a shaky smile. “Thanks, Dev. For letting me hold onto you for a while. Helping me settle.” She stepped away from him, and he saw yearning in her gaze. Need. Want. He lifted his hand to pull her closer, and she backed away another step. “Thank you, Dev,” she said, her voice shaky. Then she turned and disappeared into her room. Closed the door behind her.

* * *

Mel drew a deep, shaky breath as she stood in her room. Wrapped her arms around herself. She was so cold. Freezing. As if everything inside her had turned to ice.

Shaking with the cold, she snatched the bedspread off the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. Teeth chattering, shivering, she huddled beneath the thick quilt. Tried to get warm, but there was no warmth left inside her.

Her fingers gripped the bedspread, and she held it so tightly that her fingers cramped. She edged toward the door. A few minutes ago, Dev had leaned closer, as if he was going to kiss her. She’d seen it in his expression. In the way his hands had been shaking. But she’d backed away from him. Put the closed door between them.

She took another step toward the door connecting her room to Dev’s. Another. She shivered so hard that the bedspread slid off one shoulder.

Swallowing, she gripped the bedspread with one hand. Flattened her other hand on the door. Dev was in there. He could give her what she needed. He could erase the pictures in her head. Replace them with pleasure.

She let the bedspread fall to the floor and put her other palm on the door. The cold had burrowed into her bones and settled there. Even with the bedspread, she couldn’t get warm.

Putting one hand on the doorknob, she turned it slightly. But she couldn’t push the door open. Couldn’t go to Dev. She needed him. Desperately. But she couldn’t take the next step.

The door opened and Dev stood in front of her. “Mel?” he said, his voice low. Quiet. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“I’mmmm sssso ccccold,” she stuttered, her teeth chattering. “Would you hold me? Make me warm again?”

Without speaking, he gathered her into his arms. Pulled her tight against him, so that his heat bled into her. Banishing the cold. Melting the ice.

Lifting her head, she stared into his eyes. Saw only concern there. Caring. “Kiss me, Dev,” she said, her teeth chattering. “Make me forget about Kingsley and Larrimore and what I saw today.”

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