Page 3 of Deadly Intentions

“Why not? You're hot as hell and he’s…fuckable.”

“Harley.” I lifted my head and stared at her.

“You’ve been here… what, a month?” I shook my head in response as she continued. “You need to get out and have some fun. In fact—" she pushed to a stand “—a couple of us are going out this Saturday. You should come. Meet the gang and have some drinks. Maybe you’ll get lucky and get laid.”

“Jesus.” I pushed off the counter and started toward the break room.

“Come on. Would it kill you to have some fun? I’m starting to wonder if your vagina is broken.” Harley caught up to me and smiled.

“Fine. If I go out with you guys… will you stop talking about my vagina?”

She drew an x across her chest. “Promise.”

“Great. I’m going to grab a bite to eat.”

I hurried into the staff lounge and grabbed my lunch from the fridge. After plopping my ass onto the sofa, I unwrapped my sandwich and took a bite.

The truth was, I hadn’t been with anyone in a long time. I closed my eyes and conjured up a memory I’d buried.

“I can’t get you out of my head. Can’t you see I love you?”

“You shouldn’t love me. I don’t want to be part of your world and you can’t walk away. My brother wouldn’t let you.” I stared into his eyes and blinked back the tears.

“I’d give it all up if it meant I got to have you.”

“You’d do that for me?” I palmed his cheek and sighed.

“I told you. I love you, kitten.” He pressed his lips to mine.

“I’m sorry. I can’t love you the way you need. But I can give you this—even if it’s only for tonight.”

My chest burned with regret. Walking away from the only man I’d ever loved was nearly impossible. He hadn’t been lying when he said he’d give it all up to be with me. But I knew the promise of his words wasn’t possible. The life my family lived was something you couldn’t get out of—not without disappearing or dying. Neither of those were an option for him. That next morning, I waited for him to leave, and I ran.

I fingered the stiff paper in my pocket and blew out a frustrated breath as I pulled it out. Reading over his name and number, I closed my eyes and fought the guilt churning in my gut. I wasn’t looking for love—I’d found that already. But maybe he was just the distraction I needed. Because the longer my heart ached for a man I couldn’t have, the harder it was going to be to stick with my intentions of achieving new life.

two

CATARINA

I staredat my reflection in the mirror and grimaced. Somehow, I was sticking to my promise to go out with Harley and some of the other nurses. As much as the thought terrified me, I knew wallowing around my house would lead to dumb decisions. I couldn’t count how many times I’d picked up the phone and called him—just to hear his voice. I never spoke, only listened as he demanded to know who was on the other end. It was a dangerous game, and I needed to find a distraction before I broke down and gave myself away.

With the black handbag tucked under my arm, I grabbed my keys and headed out. The bar was a five-minute walk from my house, so I opted to go on foot. It was a glorious thing being able to walk somewhere without the fear of being snatched up and tortured. After my close encounter with kidnapping months ago, I thought I’d never feel safe doing something like this.

The moment I stepped inside the bar, I spotted Harley. She was seated toward the back with a few people I recognized. Her hand shot up and waved me over when she spotted me in the doorway. I tipped my head up in acknowledgement and motioned toward the bar.

I saddle up to the bar and slid onto a stool. The bartender nodded toward me, telling me he’d be there in a second. I glanced around, taking in the scene as I waited. I knew the minute Detective Coulter was behind me. My body tingled with awareness, and I sucked in a breath.

“Fancy seeing you here.” His warm breath hissed across my neck, causing goosebumps to erupt across my skin.

“Detective.” I spoke without turning around.

“Not tonight. Tonight, I’m just Alex.” He slid beside me and propped his elbow on the wooden surface. “You here alone?”

“No.” I glanced toward the corner, only to see Harley give me two thumbs up. “I’m here with some coworkers.” His eyes followed my line of sight.

“I see. Can I buy you a drink?”

I held his gaze for a moment.A distraction, my brain whispered.

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