Page 35 of The Fall Guy

Max enters the kitchen, heading for the barrel of potatoes. He picks up the peeler, flipping it over his fingers. Wearily, I try not to tense, but I’m fully aware of his presence. He busies himself with chores and I go back to watching Kaden.

“He’s fast,” Max says, gesturing out the window to our boy.

“Yeah, he’s full of energy.”

He chuckles. “I thought you’d been tiring him out.”

I’m not used to him being friendly. It doesn’t feel authentic for us to be talking like this. “What do you know about Kaden and me?” I ask curiously.

“I see the way he looks at you. It’s obvious you’re making more than friendship bracelets.” He smirks letting me know he’s okay with Kaden and I being whatever we are.

“Is he the reason you’re talking to me right now?” While we’re blurring the lines between indifference and friendship I might as well play along.

“Of course.” He gives a wolfish smile.

“And what do you want?” I narrow my eyes waiting to see if he’ll tell the truth or feed me some bullshit.

“You.” My scowl deepens, and he shakes his head. “Not like that. Ernie and I want you in our crew.”

“I’ve already told you. I’m not interested.” I wave my hand, dismissing his request.

He walks over to the window so he can see Kaden. “The governor was very interested in your whereabouts when Jono was killed.”

Lucky for me I don’t have to worry about that. I didn’t poison him and I’m guessing only the killer and the officers know how he died. “What are you getting at?”

He holds his hands up. “Nothing.” That’s far from the truth. I grab the front of his T-shirt, and he holds the potato peeler up. “I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”

Showing no fear, I hold my head up high. “You don’t know me. Jono should be the reason you don’t underestimate me and also the excuse to leave me alone.” I might not have taken his life but he doesn’t know that. It’s better for him to see what I’m capable of so he might leave me alone.

“You have this all wrong. We’ve seen what you can do and have noticed your hidden skills. It’s the reason we don’t want to leave you alone.” He has this all wrong, but I’m not going to correct him. All it will do is convince him to look at me even closer.

CHAPTER 17

KADEN

Rio looksmurderous as I pass him in the hall on my way to the showers. Max smiles at me, slightly easing the knot in my stomach. I clean up and change my clothes. Once back in the hall I search for Rio, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

He’s talking to Felix when I finally catch up with him, but before I can approach a guard indicates I’m wanted. Rio meets my gaze as I’m pulled away.

“The governor wants to see you,” the guard says, giving me a stern look.

“Why?” I ask.

“I don’t know. You can ask her when we get to her office.”

I nod. I won’t get any answers from him, or he doesn’t know anything. Hopefully, I won’t be questioned about Rio like last time.

We make our way through the gates. Eastward is becoming familiar to me, and the maze is less daunting.

For once, the governor is already in her office when I arrive. “Take a seat,” she says when the guard ushers me inside.

Ignoring her words, I place my hands on the back of the chair and lean forward. “I’ll stand, thanks. What’s this all about?”

“We don’t need to dance around the subject, so I’ll cut to the chase. I know your secret.” It’s unnerving, the way she stares at me like she’s seeing me for the first time.

I wonder which bit of information she’s referring to? “You’ll need to be more specific.”

“You’ve been lying this whole time, treating us all like fools.” She leans towards me, still leaving me in the dark to what we are talking about.

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