Page 16 of Rise of the King

Nothing like sweaty skin sticking to soft leather to remind you just how uncomfortable you are.

When he stands and crosses the room to sit next to me, I know it must be bad. Broad shoulders stretch the crisp black shirt he’s wearing. The top two buttons are undone. No tie. His strong chest pulls at the fabric, hinting at the muscles hiding beneath. Muscles I wish I could run my fingers over. Black slacks and leather shoes that cost more than my car finish off his look tonight. And what a look it is.

I’ll never tell him this, but I’ll miss him most when I have to leave.

Sam lays his arm across the back of the couch as he takes a seat next to me.

I lean my head back against it and close my eyes, soaking in the moment of peace. What’s likely to be the calm before the storm. “What’s going on? Rip the damn Band-Aid off and just tell me.”

“Look at me, Snow.” My eyes open and my head turns on command. “Someone’s looking for you. I don’t know who yet, but someone is. My guy called me today. A PI visited your stepfather in prison. He was asking questions about you. Doesn’t sound like the cartel. They wouldn’t use a PI. But I’m not ruling anything out yet.”

I suck in a breath. I was expecting bad news, but I still manage to be caught off guard. I angle my body toward him and pull my legs up in front of me. “Do you know that I was eighteen when my mother told me my whole life had been a lie? When she finally told me we were in witness protection? I considered running away then. I was so mad at her. I mean, it was just her and me for so long. How could she have lied to me like that? But then I thought about it. Really thought about it. She hadn’t been lying to me. She’d been trying to keep me safe. And she did it. For my whole life, all she ever did was keep me safe. I might not have always appreciated it. But then I realized she’d moved across the country, changed her name, and given up everything she’d ever known so I could grow up safe. And how did I repay her? Her body was barely cold when I screwed that all up. And now, that screw-up could cost me my life. I mean, what are the chances my stepfather didn’t tell the PI something that could lead him to me?”

Sam’s hand comes up and cradles my cheek. His thumb wiping away my tear. “I’m going to kill him someday for what he did to you.”

I reach up and grab his wrist, pulling his hand away from my face, and laugh a sad sardonic laugh. “Promises, promises. You’re not allowed to hit on me right now, Samuel.”

“That’s what you tell me every time I try to hit on you, Snow. You’re gonna give in one of these days. Don’t think I don’t know I’m wearing you down.” Those cobalt eyes hold truths I’m not ready to accept.

“Believe it or not, killing someone for me is not that sexy.”

This is the game we play.

Sam makes a crude comment or a ridiculous attempt at flirting, and I shoot him down. “We’ll see.”

I close my eyes and watch a movie reel flash across my mind.

A life where I get to stay here.

Where I get to explore this ridiculous chemistry I have with this man.

Where I get to remember what it was like to have a family.

A life lived looking forward instead of over my shoulder.

“How much time do I have?”

“You’re not running away, Amelia.” He sits up and brings me with him. When he turns me to fully face him, I melt a little while he holds my upper arms in place. “We’re all over this. If it gets to that point, I’ll tell you. But it’s not there.”

I nod my head before adding, “Yet. It’s not there yet. But it will be.” When I turn to stand up, Sam drops his hands from my arms. “Thanks for letting me know.”

“You’re not leaving Kroydon Hills, Snow. How am I supposed to marry you one day if you leave town?”

Who’s he kidding? “You’ve got plenty of women warming your bed at night. Marry one of them. You’d have your pick.”

There’s a knock on the door, followed by Dean’s voice and, if I’m not mistaken, Sebastian’s too.

Sam grabs my hand, but I tug it away. My lips involuntarily tilt up at the corners. “I’m not marrying you, Samuel.” I turn and open the door. Yup. I was right. Dean is there with Bash and a pretty brunette behind him. She looks familiar, but I’m not sure why. “Thanks for your help, Sam.”

Once I’m through the door, I say goodnight to Bash and his friend and head back to my apartment.

Alone.

When I pull into the parking lot behind my little apartment above my shop, I turn and stare at my go bag, debating. I could just go. Not even get out of the car. Just drive. They’d never be able to track me.

Everything I need is in that bag.

Money. A burner phone. Essentials. A new identity.

Everything I need but nothing I want.

None of this goofy little town I’ve fallen in love with.

No Belle.

No Sam.

Not liking the sense of dread that thought brings with it, I turn my car off and grab my bag. Nothing is going to change tonight. No need to rush this yet.

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