Page 71 of Concealed

We park several blocks away so we aren’t made by anyone looking out the window.

When Maybe-Wang Yong starts trying to kiss Dean, my heart thumps while all my other body processes slow down, letting me think strategically about the next steps.

My heart is warning me there’s danger, but the rest of my body is ready to rumble.

Dread ping pongs through my insides, and things are about to go downhill – fast.

“Girlfriends kiss their boyfriends, right?”

“Can’t we get gelato first?” Dean asks. “We haven’t really gotten to talk much yet.”

“We talked on Chat Tok for over a week. You’re a virgin, right?”

Maybe he wants to test drive her, maybe he wants to sell her for a premium since she’s “intact,” or maybe he’s testing her.

“Yes.”

“I just want to kiss you. Come here.”

“No, I don’t want to. Stop it.”

We might not have eyes on the scene, but I know exactly what’s happening like it’s playing on a screen based on Maybe-Wang Yong’s words.

There are shuffling and muffled noises as he puts his hands on Dean and she struggles.

“What is this? What are you wearing? Is this a wire? Are you a fucking cop?”

Now the noises are louder, there’s indistinct shouting, and then the scariest sound of all –nothing.

We’ve lost our connection to Dean, and now there’s only silence.

Dead silence.

Chapter 16

Rebecca

Ipromisedmyselfnomore cops.

Why I’m even pretending that I can be casual with a man like Wyatt – acoplike Wyatt – is beyond me. He’s all-consuming, and it’s not just because I don’t know anyone else in Sunnyville, or because my current situation is less than ideal.

Thoughts of being with him invade my future plan fantasies. I dream about teaching full time, socializing with my new colleagues after hours, and spending every possible spare minute with Wyatt.

When I envision next month and even next year, he’s still in the picture.

The radio got me in trouble last time it was on, so I have an old CD of classic country music blaring while I prepare Moroccan chicken in the slow cooker.

After spending so much time alone in Vegas – and repeating it here, at least for now – I always need to have background noise so I don’t lose my mind or end up talking to a volleyball.

Despite my flub with Alex, my life in Sunnyville is safer and more secure than it's ever been. Most of the positive changes are due to my new role in Wyatt’s life. I’m his… Well, I’m not his roommate, that’s for sure.

And I trust him to keep me safe.

Besides, Matt isn’t a patient man. I was half-expecting to be dragged back to Vegas within hours of arriving here, but there’s been nothing but silence from him. Maybe I’m not as important to his life as I assumed, and he’s already replaced me.

But either way, I’m tired of being trapped in the house. I didn’t leave Matt to replace one prison with another.

After I toss the final ingredients into the slow cooker and close the lid, I impulsively grab my phone, the decision already made.

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