Page 99 of Kiss of Deceit
“How are you feeling?” I asked, meeting his gaze.
“Better,” he answered, a frown appearing as he noticed my bruised jaw. “I was going to ask you the same. I heard what happened the other night. It’s a miracle you made it out alive.”
I had no desire to go into detail about the night in the woods. “I was lucky.”
“You’re handling it well,” he muttered, letting out a short laugh. “I’ve barely slept since the attack. The pain…the panic. Ican’t fucking get it out of my head. But you’ve been going to work every day with no fear on your face. You’re stronger than me, Dani.” His jaw ticked, and he shook his head. “You know what, never mind. I’m gonna go.”
My heart panged, and I grabbed his arm when he moved to turn away. “Don’t. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. What happened to you was traumatic. Talking about it helps, and you’re coming to me because I was there with you. Your feelings are completely normal.”
He stepped closer. “This is my first full day back at work. I had to change my schedule because I can’t walk to work before the sun comes up. Every time it’s dark, I feel like that asshole will come back and finish the job.”
I was still holding onto his arm, and I squeezed it gently. “That’s a normal response, Miles. You went through something traumatic.”
“Are you scared?” he asked in a whisper.
“Everyone is scared.” I kept my voice soft, giving him a different answer than I gave to Hallie earlier. “I’m sure you can make an appointment with Susan if you need a therapist. It might help.”
He scoffed. “I don’t think that lady has smiled since she got here. Not very friendly for a therapist.”
The dread filling me only grew. Susan was here for one reason, and it wasn’t for normal therapy. But Miles didn’t know that. Out of everyone here, it was the interns I could trust most.
“Well, you can talk to me.” I smiled. “I’m here if you need to.”
I tensed when he wrapped his arms around me, tugging me into a tight embrace. I awkwardly returned the hug, patting him on the back. Logically, I was aware he was using me to help with the trauma of that night because I went through it too. But having someone who I didn’t know well touching me like this had my pulse spiking unevenly.
“Going from the bartender to an intern? Does that mean I have a chance too?”
My head snapped up, and I saw Riggs standing a few feet away, his grin fading when he spotted my injuries. A lit cigarette was in his hand, and he brought it to his lips as I untangled myself from Miles.
Miles glanced at him, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “We’re friends.”
Riggs looked behind me before meeting my stare. “Is Kole a friend too?”
Miles snuck a glance at me, looking curious. I licked my lips, considering how to answer. Before I could, another voice rang out from behind me.
“What’s your answer, Dani? Are we just friends?”
Ice flooded my veins. Kole stepped up beside me, and I turned my head to look at him. His furious glare was focused on Miles, and it was apparent he witnessed our hug. Finally, his eyes cut to me, his expression softening.
“Is your migraine better? I missed you in my bed last night.” His possessive words weren’t meant for me. My face flushed, and it took everything to keep my expression neutral. Anger bubbled within me. The man in front of me was a stranger. I had no idea if any of the stories he told were true. I couldn’t even trust my own instincts anymore.
Riggs let out a whistle. “Not just friends, then. I guess the gossip is right this time.”
Miles slid his hands into his pockets. “I’ll see you around, Dani.”
“I was serious,” I called out as he began walking away. “If you need it, I’m here.”
He threw me a small smile over his shoulder before disappearing down a side street. Riggs continued to smoke, walking with us toward the police station.
“You need something?” Kole asked him, shooting him a scowl.
“Nope. I have some time before my shift. I just wanted to see how Dani was doing after what happened.”
“I’m fine,” I assured him before turning my attention to Kole. “What are you doing up this early?”
“Me?” He arched an eyebrow. “You aren’t expected at work until eight. I was worried about you.”
This was fucking exhausting, and I had no idea how long I’d be able to keep it up. Every word Kole said, I was scrutinizing. As if I’d be able to tell his lies from his truths after all this time. He pulled me in, and I was nearly as enraged with myself as I was with him. This was why I never let people in.
