Page 10 of Deadly Intentions

six

CATARINA

The dressI was wearing clung to me as I slipped out of Alex’s truck. He’d picked me up, stating he was taking me to the resort for a nice dinner. I was nervous, but eager to check it out since I hadn’t seen it since arriving in Oregon. Lake City was popular for snow enthusiasts, making the resort a go-to destination. As we pulled down the long drive leading to the massive building, my breath hitched. It was beautiful.

The trees were changing colors for the impending winter, making the path to the lodge one out of story books. The lodge itself was something I would have expected to see in Italy, with its massive pillars and ornate design. It was unlike anything we had back in Vegas.

Alex pulled to the front and hopped out. The valet opened my door and ushered me out just as Alex rounded the front of the truck. His palm pressed against the small of my back as he guided me to the entrance.

“Wow.” My breath stilled again as we stepped inside.

The foyer was just as stunning as the exterior. Massive chandeliers lit the hall with a soft yellow glow. Soft music wafted from the dining room off to the side, giving a romantic atmosphere to the lodge.

“You like it?” Alex smiled as we walked to the hostess.

“It’s gorgeous.” I shook my head. “You didn’t have to do all this, Alex. This is…” my voice trailed off as a woman greeted him.

“Follow me.” She grinned, leading us to our table.

And fuck. The table she seated us at had a view I would remember for years to come. The sun was setting beyond the peaks of the mountain in the distance, bathing the valley in a beautiful pink hue.

“So.” Alex said, and my attention snapped away from admiring the view. “Tell me about yourself, Trina.”

I swallowed. This was the part I dreaded. I couldn’t tell Alex about the real me, meaning this relationship was being built on a lie. A lie I could never come back from if he ever found out. I cleared my throat. The words burning even before they were out.

“What would you like to know?” I sipped a glass of wine that had magically appeared in front of me.

“Whatever you’re willing to share.” He grinned as his lips wrapped around the glass he was holding.

I kept it as close to the truth as possible to avoid any slips. I could share my story without sharing too much. Plus, talking about them made me feel close to them even though I couldn’t be.

“I have a big family. Three brothers and two sisters.”

Alex’s eyebrows raised to his hairline in surprise. “Wow… six kids?”

“Yeah. It was pretty noisy growing up. I’m the oldest girl. I have two older brothers and one younger, then the twins—my sisters.” I smiled, thinking about my sisters, Carmela and Celestina. They were still in Italy finishing up school but would eventually come to the States. At least, that had been their plan. I thought I’d be there when they finally settled in Vegas, but now… My heart stuttered with the realization I wouldn’t be there. The pain was crushing, sending a pang of regret through my veins.

“Do you still speak to them? Your siblings?”

“Not as much as I should.” The lie tasted bitter in my mouth. “My parents moved abroad, so I don’t hear from them much now that I moved out here.” Another lie. “What about you? Do you have any siblings?”

“No. Only child. My mom passed away when I was seventeen from cancer and my dad, well… he didn’t take too highly to my career path. He wanted me to be a dentist, like him.”

“A dentist? Really?” I sipped my drink. “I definitely don’t see that for you. Did you move here from Montana? I know you’re new to the department.”

“No. Reno. When I left the military I was offered a job there and took it.” He grinned.

My heart stopped. “Reno?”

“Yeah. You ever been?”

“No. Can’t say that I have. I grew up in the east. Oregon is the first place in the west I’ve been.”

“Really? Where in the east did you say you were from?”

“Um.” I was about to speak, but the waiter saved me.

“Would you like to order?” He smiled at Alex and me, waiting for one of us to answer.

---