Page 36 of Kiss of Deceit
I pushed off the desk and went outside. The frigid air hit my face, and I shoved my hands in my pockets as I walked down the sidewalk. It was early, and the town was still sleeping. Not that it was busy during the day either.
I blew out a breath, wondering how this was going to play out. If it was determined that Lucas was killed, the next few days were going to be a shit show.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
dani
I tookanother sip of my drink, sneaking a glance at Kole as he poured someone a whiskey. So much for my promise of never stepping back into this bar. This was now the third time I’d come in, and I had to grudgingly admit that Kole had been right about me coming back. There wasn’t much to do in this town after dark and all the other interns came here. It was either this or sitting in my room alone.
Usually, I would be fine with spending my time alone, but after my mistake with Lucas, I needed to keep my ears open. While the talk at the police station had been nonstop about his death, I needed to know what the town was saying. This bar was the best place to hear gossip.
I was sitting at a table with Miles and another intern who worked at the clinic with him. The woman, Lexi, was next to me telling a story about something, and I nodded when needed, giving the pretense that I was listening when I was actually thinking about Lucas.
I had acted so incredibly stupid that if Ididn’tget caught, I’d be shocked.
Going over it again and again, I was positive I didn’t leave any evidence behind near the cliff. So far there had been no talk about anyone seeing me go into the forest with him. Maybe I’d gotten lucky with that.
While the entire situation was a mess, I was the most clear headed I’d been in years. Or was I? I had no damn idea. I’d spent the last few years convincing myself that I was done with that part of my life. No more killing. No more playing God and choosing people’s fates for them. Even though every single one of them deserved it. Unlike with Lucas, I used to watch my mark for months to be absolutely positive that the world would be better off without them in it.
My college degree and the job I had during school was the reason I’d been able to do it. The therapist I worked under had no idea that I was stealing his files to stalk his clients. I chose forensic psychology because of my past—to find the men who nearly killed me. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was fucking damaged. Once I began learning how these people thought and acted, I couldn’t just sit there and listen without doing anything.
How could I talk to them while knowing they want to act on their sick fantasies and hurt people the way I was hurt?
Now I was like them. A killer.
But I didn’t do it for enjoyment. Or at least that was what I kept telling myself. I did it to protect innocent lives. Yet, the smug satisfaction that filled me after every kill made me doubt that sometimes.
When Lucas fell off the edge of the cliff, all I felt was comfort. Knowing he would never hurt Hallie again, or anyone else for that matter, made it right in my mind.
When I lured him into the woods, I had every intention of making him angry enough to hurt me, then I was going to go to Harry to press charges. I had it all planned out. I wasn’t surewhen that changed. When he cut me with his knife? When he touched me? I had no idea.
But Ididknow that ever since watching Lucas fall, I felt like myself again.
Which was a problem.
This internship was supposed to be my fresh start. To finish this year and then go live a normal, boring life.
“Dani?”
I straightened when I realized I missed what Miles said to me.
“Sorry,” I muttered, giving him an apologetic smile. “It’s been a long day.”
“It’s okay, I was just asking if you wanted another drink?”
I glanced at my empty glass. “That would be great, thanks.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
My eyes snapped up and widened when I saw Riggs standing next to the table. I’d seen him a couple times around town but hadn’t talked to him since meeting him at the hardware store when I bought those knives. He was wearing the same jacket as last time with his hair pulled back. He shot me a playful grin, nodding slightly.
“Good to see you again,” he said, completely ignoring Miles glaring at him. “What do you want to drink?”
“Don’t worry about it, man,” Miles said, his smile tight. “I know what she’s drinking.”
He scooted out his chair and got up, heading to the bar before Riggs could respond. Lexi stared at the newcomer curiously, and I cleared my throat.
“This is Riggs,” I introduced him. “That’s all I know about him.”
