Color of Danger

by Alexa Verde

  She looked at him closely. The way he’d said Cynthia’s name sounded warning bells inside her head. “Tell me more about her.”

  Luke’s eyes lit up. “She was a wonderful lady. Lydia reminds me of her. Same petite figure, blonde hair, same kindness. Cynthia was studying to be a nurse. It fit her. She wanted to help sick people. She loved kids. Couldn’t wait to start a family.”

  In other words, she was the total opposite of Mari. The light in his eyes when he was speaking about Cynthia struck Mari. Her heart fell. The kiss probably meant much more to her than it meant to him. “You’re not over her, are you? You’re still in love with her. I can’t compete with a dead fiancée. Nor would I want to.” She sank into an armchair.

  Luke’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected her reaction. “You don’t need to compete with Cynthia. I wasn’t able to talk about Cynthia for a year. You helped me to do that.”

  Her heart was breaking apart. “You needed to redeem yourself. You couldn’t save Cynthia. So you needed to save me.”

  “That’s not the reason. I care about you.” Hurt flashed in his eyes.

  She couldn’t stop. “Maybe you want Tony to be alive. Then you can take out revenge on him. Punish him. Get closure. Move on with your life. But you’re wrong. You can’t fix it this way. I’m not Cynthia. And Tony is dead.”

  “Mari…” He leaned closer to her.

  Everything shook inside her. “You’ve got to let Cynthia go. You’ve got to let the past go.”

  “I’m trying. But it’s not easy when you loved someone so much.”

  “At least you have beautiful memories. You’ve been loved. I don’t have that. My memories about my brother are tainted. I still can’t comprehend how Tony turned out to be a serial killer. I still have trouble dealing with it. But I moved on. You didn’t.”

  “I am moving on. And you can create good memories. We can do that together. Remember, one day to live?” He reached for her hand.

  Mari searched his face. If she had one day to live, she’d want to spend it with Luke. Well, and Nowa. But would he want to do the same? He’d probably spend it thinking about Cynthia.

  “You’re a good person,” she said. “Maybe too perfect for me. You do everything right when the rest of us simple mortals struggle with mistakes. You want to help me heal? Heal yourself first.”

  “I meant what I said. I care about you, Mari. Very much.”

  She flinched. That was what her father had said before punishing her by locking her up in a dark basement. What her late brother had said before killing her friend’s sister. What probably her mother had said before leaving her with a ruthless father. Luke was different from her family. But she couldn’t take a chance at being broken again. It had hurt too much the first three times around. She withdrew her hand and at once missed the feeling of his fingers on her skin.

  “I care about you, too. But sometimes it’s not enough.” She rose to her feet and gestured to the connecting door.

  “It’s not about me not being over Cynthia. You were looking for an excuse not to let me in. You found it. After people in your life hurt you badly, that’s your way of protecting yourself. Don’t shut me out.”

  Stunned, she stepped back. Could he be right? Her heart ached, and she felt dizzy. The problem was, she couldn’t shut him out because she’d already let him in. It was too late. She’d already stepped over the edge of the cliff. She was falling for him and didn’t know how to stop it.

  “Let’s get some rest.” She managed to make her voice sound calm when there was a storm inside her. “Good night, Luke.”

  After he left, she changed into loose pants and a T-shirt and tried to get some sleep. She tossed and turned most of the night and fell into some kind of slumber early in the morning. She dreamed of being trapped in the burning log cabin again, and this time, Luke was the person she left behind.

  Chapter Twelve

  She woke up from a knock on the connecting door.

  “Good morning, Mari.” Luke’s voice filtered through the door, cheerful as if no arguments had happened the previous night. “I’m going to get us breakfast. What would you like?”

  Her throat constricted. She shouldn’t have lashed out at him last night. After all, it wasn’t Luke’s fault he wasn’t over Cynthia. And it definitely wasn’t Luke’s fault she’d started feeling more than friendship and gratitude toward him. He’d never promised her anything.

  She crawled out of bed. “Good morning,” she said without opening the door. “Just double your order. Thanks! And, um, thank you for being so forgiving.”

  “You’re welcome, Mar.”

  His steps quieted in the hall. She sighed. Why couldn’t Luke be rude sometimes or lose his temper once in a while? Then it would be so much easier for her to lash out and not to have stabs of guilt afterwards.

  A large white envelope near the door attracted her attention. Somebody must have slipped it under the door after she’d fallen asleep. Any remnants of sleep evaporated from her eyes. Just in case, she looked through the peephole, but there was nobody outside.

  Mari rushed to her duffel bag, found disposable gloves, and snapped them on. While she doubted there were any fingerprints on the envelope or its contents, she didn’t want to take the chance of marring them. She carefully opened the envelope and looked inside it.

  Pictures.

  She gasped. All of the photos were of murder victims, including June Stephenson and Josie Smith. Except for the last one.

  It was a photo of Luke Goodman, judging by the surroundings, taken in The Café.

  Her heart sank. She remembered the gunshots near the river.

  The message was clear. The criminal was after Luke now. Or he would be while Luke was still with her.

  The food she’d eaten last night rose back to her throat. She threw the envelope on the desk for Luke to find and dashed to the bathroom where she emptied her stomach. While she dry heaved, the decision formed in her mind. Quickly, she washed up and called a cab.

  Then she whirled around the room, gathering her belongings, got dressed, and freshened up her makeup as fast as she could. She wanted to get out of the hotel before Luke returned with their breakfast and had a chance to stop her. She couldn’t let him die. She had to leave, in spite of her feelings for him. Or because of her feelings for him. She’d figure out that one later.

  Soon Mari exited the hotel dressed in a bright yellow top and a short denim skirt and wearing red lipstick. Aileen Taylor was about to make her appearance.

  She’d left a note for Luke on her desk, next to the envelope.

  I’m sorry. It’s time for us to go our separate ways. Please do not look for me. Go to Dallas and return to your life. You’re a good man, and I thank you for everything. Farewell, Luke.

  P.S. I will pray for you.

  * * *

  “Aileen, wait!” One of the waitresses caught up with Mari as she was about to exit the steakhouse. “I’m sorry you had to resign. And after only one day!”

  “No biggie.” Mari shrugged. “Nobody tries to touch me… inappropriately and remain unpunished. Even if it’s a well-tipping customer.”

  “How you knocked that guy down. Wow!” The waitress grinned. “May I see those pictures you showed me again? I think I remember one of the people there. I’ve seen that person at Josie’s table before.”

  Mari’s heart skipped a beat as they sat down in the waiting area. She showed several social media pages, including those of her father, River, Nina, Aidan, Tara, Derek, Lydia, and Larry.

  There was a flicker of recognition in the waitress’s eyes. But she hesitated. “I really like the cowboy hat and the bracelets you’re wearing,” she said.

  “I’d love for you to have them.” Mari handed her the desired items.

  The waitress paused and shook her head. “Nope, I can’t recognize anyone right now. But I might remember something later.”

  “Let me know if you do. I’ll be grateful. Very grateful.” Mari gave the girl
her phone number. “Please look at them again. It’s important.” Mari pulled up the pictures of her father, Aidan, Derek, and Larry, and there was a flicker of recognition in the girl’s eyes again.

  “I’ll think about it, but I don’t want to end up like Josie did.” The waitress walked away.

  Mari leaned against the wall. One of the people she’d shown to the waitress had been here and talked to Josie. But which one? A suspicion started forming in her mind. No, she couldn’t believe it. He was one of the most trusted people in Rios Azules. He was the one who was supposed to protect people. He couldn’t be a murderer, could he?

  She got up and hurried outside. She checked the flight schedule on the way and grimaced. Rios Azules didn’t have an airport, and the next flight to the nearest town was in three hours. Not fast enough. She needed to rent a vehicle and rush back to Rios Azules.

  There was a strange emptiness inside her again, and she realized she missed Luke, his quiet strength, his unconditional support. She’d never thought she’d miss him this much. Why did she feel as if an important part of her had gone along with Luke?

  Her heart heavy, Mari stepped outside the restaurant and scanned the parking lot for any suspicious activity or a black SUV with tinted windows. Not finding either, she punched in the number for a cab company.

  At the sound of the motor approaching fast, she slid her phone back into her pocket without calling and moved behind a column on the restaurant’s porch. She wrapped her fingers around the smooth, cold metal of the gun in her purse and took a deep breath. Whoever was arriving at such speed could be just a hungry customer.

  She recognized the distinctive growl of a large motorcycle. It stopped right near the entrance, and the biker killed the engine. She held her breath, estimating the distance to the entrance from her position. If she shot first, would she be able to duck inside the restaurant?

  “Mari, we need to talk.” Luke’s voice was tense and a bit angry.

  She released her breath and stepped out from her hiding spot. Luke was dressed in black leather pants and a leather jacket that made him even more handsome, if that was possible. He handed her the second helmet he had in his hands.

  Her heart did a funny flip in her chest. She wanted so much to rush to him, lose herself in his arms, and let him make everything better. Even after she’d run away from him, her wonderful Prince Charming had come for her on a shining black “horse,” ready to slay the dragon and take the beautiful princess to a castle. But she was no beautiful princess, and the worst dragons were inside her.

  With the parking lot in her peripheral vision, she shook her head. “No. I can’t put your life at risk.”

  “But I can. Besides, the perp might already think I know too much. He could try to get rid of me, regardless of whether I’m with you or not. By being apart, you’re just making it easier for him.” Luke gestured for her to get on the motorcycle.

  “You drive a hard bargain.” Mari grunted. “What happened to your car?”

  “Somebody broke the windows and slashed the tires. It was towed to a shop. My friend loaned me a motorcycle.”

  “Nice friends you have. And sorry about your car.”

  The urgency to get back to Rios Azules pounded in her head when her phone announced an incoming text. She glanced at the screen and bit into her lip. It was from her father. She opened the text, gasped, and read the message twice. The phone slid from her hand, and she stepped back and slowly slid down the wall. Several patrons leaving the steakhouse passed by her and sent her curious glances.

  “Mari, are you okay?” Luke’s worried voice came through the mental fog.

  He pulled her up and sprinkled water from a water bottle on her face.

  “My father is… well, not my biological father.” She tried to wrap her mind around the news. “He did a DNA test when I little, but just now he decided to send me the results. He’s not my dad… I guess that explains it why he didn’t love me. Wait. That means Tony wasn’t my biological brother.”

  “You’re not the serial killer’s sister. You don’t have it in your blood. But then, you probably knew it all along. Would you like me to drive you to Rios Azules?”

  She picked up the phone from the ground. “I’ll drive. Okay?”

  “How about half and half?”

  “I’ll take the first half. Please. You’ll thank me later.”

  “Like I said, the most infuriating woman ever.” Luke shook his head.

  She glanced at her outfit. “Could you wait a moment while I change?”

  She rushed into a neighboring fast-food restaurant, found a bathroom, and soon emerged dressed in worn-out jeans and a white T-shirt, her artificial nails and large hoop earrings gone.

  Luke was waiting for her at the entrance, and she handed him the duffel bag. She took the helmet.

  In seconds, they were on the road, Mari steering. Adrenaline pumping in her veins, she maneuvered the motorcycle through the city traffic, flying between cars and ignoring annoying honking.

  She’d driven motorcycles since she was fourteen and loved the excitement. Now there was a solemn purpose behind her speed. She had to believe that if she got back home in time, maybe she’d be able to make things right. She had to figure out a way.

  They were outside of the city limits in no time. Wind whistled in her ears, and the road flew underneath her. Luke held her tight but didn’t complain. When she’d been a teen, taking potential boyfriends on a motorcycle ride had been her ultimate test. She’d stopped after all nine of them had called her crazy.

  She made an especially dangerous turn. Did Luke think she was crazy, too? Not that it should matter. Soon enough, he’d return to Dallas and find a prominent wife, someone like Cynthia. No glue in the world would be enough to put Mari’s heart back together then.

  Sirens wailed.

  Mari grimaced. But she hadn’t spent years speeding without learning to talk her way out of a ticket. She managed to do it this time, too, simultaneously getting a date. Judging by Luke’s brooding looks, he didn’t approve. Mari decided to find a new way to get out of tickets in the future.

  After all, she could make a small concession to the man she… No, not loved. Had started to care about.

  When they stopped at a small gas station to get gas, Mari checked her phone for messages. Instead, she had voice mails, first from River, then from Lydia. Mari listened to the voice mails and went numb.

  Luke, who was pumping gas, turned to her. “What happened?”

  It took her a moment to start moving. She rubbed her forehead, trying to comprehend the situation. “Aidan was arrested.”

  * * *

  Luke stepped forward, eager to offer his support.

  Mari’s face looked ashen. “The police suspect him of murdering June and Josie. I can’t believe it. There’s no motive. There can’t be a motive.”

  “But there’s probably evidence against him?”

  She gave him a pleading look she’d never given him before, and it tugged at his heart. “I didn’t get details in the voice mail, but yes, there is. Luke, this can’t be true.”

  Obviously she didn’t want to believe her friend had tried to murder her. It must be a shock. His chest tightened, and once again he wanted badly to spare her the pain. Inside that tough shell, Mari was a good person, and she deserved happiness. Instead, she was constantly betrayed by the men she trusted. Luke felt an incredible pull to whisk her away from that betrayal and danger.

  He ran his fingers across the smooth, soft skin of her upper arms. Then he placed a fleeting kiss on her lips, mostly because he desperately wanted to, but also to distract her from her troubles. He wished he could lift them from her fragile shoulders.

  “Maybe I should go alone. Look at what happens to people around me,” she said.

  “You know I’m not going to let you.”

  Mari slid onto the back of the motorcycle. “It was worth a try.”

  “Let me take you away. Let me drive you to Dallas. You could sta
rt anew. With me,” he said on impulse, but he meant every word.

  For a moment, she looked at him as if she were speechless. Then she shook her head. “Lydia was crying when she left the voice mail. She always had feelings for Aidan. River sounded shocked. I need to return to Rios Azules. I belong there. I stand by the people I love. And now they need me like never before.”

  So stubborn. But he admired her inner drive. Maybe that was what had attracted him to her in the first place. What made him fall for her. Fall for her? Where did that come from? He didn’t have time to think about it now.

  “Even Aidan?” He put on his helmet.

  She looked away. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Wait. What about Nowa? What happened to her when Aidan got arrested?”

  “River texted me that she picked her up. She got the key from Aidan’s mother.”

  He revved up the engine, and they were on the road again. She leaned into him, holding tight. With each passing minute, a soft tenderness toward this strange, unpredictable woman grew inside him, making it difficult to breathe. He wished she’d agree to go to Dallas instead of Rios Azules. He’d help her recover. Give her some quiet time to recuperate away from the place where the trauma had occurred.

  He wanted to introduce her to his family. It might be difficult at first, considering how much they’d adored Cynthia. Though Mari wasn’t biologically related to Cynthia’s killer, she’d grown up with the man. It might take his family some time to get past that. Okay, a lot of time. But in the end, they’d love Mari for what she was. He hoped.

  As the motorcycle ate up miles fast, he gave up on the idea of taking her to Dallas at the moment. Mari was right — she belonged in Rios Azules, and she’d made her own family there. One she loved fiercely. He wondered how it would feel to be loved by a woman like her. He wanted to know how it would feel. He’d come into her world, but it was Mari who’d taken his by storm.

  He slowed down around a particularly dangerous curve in the road.