Page 103 of Allure

“Mark. Mark Cullinan. I worked at Visual Press, but I was fired. Ya will see. It lines up. I’m not lying. I have no reason to. My Miranda’s going to die. I… I tried…”

I am such a bleeding sap. I don’t know if he’s telling the truth or not, but if he is, it’s clear his wife will die, and I almost want to find out for myself if his story is true.

The detective is leading Mark away.

Mr. King turns to me. “Your son has told me quite a bit about you.”

“Ah, great.” I swallow hard.

“I’m glad it all worked out, but I have to tell you that you two made me so very nervous.”

“My dad caught me trying to sneak out with the equipment,” Declan says. “I had no choice but to tell him, and he insisted on being nearby, out of sight.”

"That you wanted only Declan to be your backup…" Mr. King shakes his head. "You're very brave, but…"

“It all worked out.”

“Next time, it might not,” his father warns.

“Like I said, I’m done. No more. Nothing like that.” I shake my head. “I don’t think I can handle the stress.”

"It is a high-stress job. Rewarding at times but hard work. So, you two are going to leave now? Head somewhere safer?"

“It’s entirely safe here now,” Declan counters.

His father grunts. “I suppose. Why not go out and get dessert or something?”

“Dad? Goodbye.”

His father takes a few steps backward. “It was nice to meet you, Brooke.”

“You too, Mr. King.”

His father walks away, and I suddenly feel lightheaded. I turn toward Declan, and his arm goes around me, and I can’t bring myself to pull away.

We did it.

I should feel a huge sense of relief.

And I do, but my heart is racing again.

For a very different reason.

Before I can think about what I’m doing, I turn to Declan, and I go to kiss him.

But he pulls back, not letting me.

CHAPTER35

Iswallow hard and try to step back, but he tightens his hold on me.

“I don’t just want sex,” he says, his tone almost harsh, his eyes glittering darkly. “I want to date you. All or nothing. I can’t continue to do this.”

“What about Julie?” I blurt out. “You’re already moving on anyhow.”

“Julie?” Declan bursts out laughing. “You think I have a thing for Julie? Come on, Brooke. That’s not the case at all.”

"But you were so kind to her during her classes. You treat her differently from everyone else. You can't deny that. What, do you think she'll stick with it and become a black belt? Be your replacement for Jackie?"

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