Page 43 of Desert Thorns

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Rome’s hands curled into fists as he turned his head away, his shirt straining across his chest with every ragged breath. He looked like he was about to beat the living daylights out of someone. Like me.

“I’m so sorry, man,” I said quietly. Bile pooled at the back of my throat. No surprise he had an issue with me.

Rome rounded on me, grabbed the collar of my habit, and got in my face. “I swear to God, Grady”—he growled, his Italian accent thick—“if you tell anyone, I’m gonna cut off your tongue and feed it to you.”

Maintaining eye contact, I kept my voice and demeanor calm. “I won’t, you have my promise.”

His gaze drilled into me, and although it was almost dark now, I could see the moisture gathering in his eyes. “You bet you won’t.”

He shoved me back so hard I stumbled a couple of steps, almost going over the edge of the pier. I caught myself, then watched him stalk past the run-down boats back to the harbor.

I followed a few paces behind. Our conversation wasn’t over. “What about the evidence?” I asked, once I’d reached him. He sat on his bike, helmet on.

“I’ll comb the whole cursed island until I find those crates. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Keep your mouth shut.” With that, he revved his bike, then tore off.

Long after he’d disappeared in the jungle, I stood there, staring into the dark. Where on earth had Harley’s ex gone, and why was he hiding? Was he even hiding, or was he simply plotting his next move?What about Rome, Lord? He’s not okay. Is there something I can do for him?

And Harley . . . I dreaded to go back to Saint James and face her.

But I didn’t have a choice.

Chapter 15

Harley

Whatever Father Cruz had said to Kingsley, it had caused a dramatic shift in him. He still spent every night either outside the guesthouse, or, when it rained, in the hallway. But he didn’t initiate any conversations and didn’t banter, even when I prodded him. He was distant, almost cold. And although I knew it was for the best, I felt lonely and missed him. So much that it hurt. Especially every time he looked at me with a longing that stole my breath.

One night when I couldn’t sleep because it was way too stuffy in the guesthouse, I snuck outside. A blanket of stars stretched over me like I’d never seen before. I held my breath as I stared up at the millions of twinkling lights.Wow, God. Just, wow!

I kept walking with my head tilted back. Glam City’s lights always polluted the night sky, but up here—

My feet caught on something, and I pitched forward. Despite all the flailing, gravity took over and I knocked into the ground. Moaning, I rolled over.

“Harley, are you okay?” Kingsley’s low voice came from right beside me. All I could make out of him was a dark shadow.

A giggle broke out of me. “Yup. Sorry, I didn’t see you there. I was too busy eyeballing the stars.”

“Come on.” His warm, calloused hands brushed my bare arms. Goosebumps rippled across my skin. The man had no idea what his touch did to me. Holding me with a firm grip, he pulled me to my feet. “You should go back inside.”

“It’s too hot in there. I’m gonna sleep out here with you.”

For a long moment, he said nothing, literally crickets filling the silence.

“Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. I can sleep on the other side of the guesthouse—”

“Absolutely not. You’re staying here. C’mere.” He sat down and patted the spot next to him.

“Are there any spiders?”

“Once woke up to one crawling across my face.”

“Yuck, did you have to say that?” I shuddered. “Nuh-uh, you creepy little monsters. There ain’t no crawling across my face happening.”

Kingsley’s low chuckle was lethal. “I’ll fight them off for you if that makes you feel better.”