Noah hadn’t wanted to die.
She’d spent countless hours during those weeks wrapped in grief, torturing herself with the thoughts that might’ve gone through her brother’s mind as his life slipped between his fingers. They’d haunted her, and she’d spent more than her fair share of time wishing all manner of horrible things on Garrett Grimmer and Jack Whitman.
But Lucas had helped her realize that they were suffering in their own way, too. They were living a hell on earth, because their futures were ruined. They might not have meant to hurt Noah, but each of them held some responsibility in her brother’s death.
Jack had driven Garrett over. He hadn’t stepped foot in the house, but he also hadn’t reported what had happened. Turned out the guy was a pretty good actor after all.
And Garrett. Garrett had been the one to corner Noah in his room. To loop the rope around his neck and drag him to the closet. To secure the rope and hike it up so Noah was almost dangling, warning him to keep his fucking mouth shut about Lindsay or else. And Garrett had been the one who panicked, who’d thought someone was home and who thought he’d released the rope but had instead managed to tighten it as he let go and scurried through the window without a backward glance.
And Garrett had been the one to spoof Noah’s phone when he found out Lucas was looking into the case. Had told his dad, who’d decided more scare tactics were in order, who’d bought a military-grade smoke grenade online and launched it into Alaina’s house, seeing as he knew where she lived.
There had been other revelations, too. Garrett’s assault on Lindsay, a party at Jack’s where things had gone a little too far. Lindsay’s hesitance to report it, because Jack was a family friend, and that just complicated things even more. She’d chosen to confide in Noah, who had offered an ear and a shoulder and then, when she was ready, some gentle advice.
“Alaina.”
She blinked.
Lucas was staring at her, a concerned expression on his face. “Where were you?”
“Everywhere,” she admitted.
“You’re not still blaming yourself, are you?”
She shrugged. “I think I always will a little bit.”
“It’s okay to have regrets,” he said.
She smiled. She was pretty sure he’d said these words to her before.
“Just promise me something,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“Don’t let them define you. The regrets. You’re so much more than that, Alaina. So much more.”
He reached for her hand and she didn’t stop him. She laced her fingers between his, marveling at the warmth, the solidness of his touch.
“I don’t want to have any more,” she whispered.
“Any more what?”
“Regrets.” She leaned against him, the solidness of his body seeping into her, giving her comfort.
“So don’t.”
She gazed up at him, and his eyes were like liquid amber. Butterflies quaked in her stomach. She would never get tired of looking into those eyes, of losing herself in them.
“You wanna know another regret of mine?” she asked him.
His grip tightened around her fingers. “What?”
Her eyes locked on his. “I regret that it took me so long to find you. When you were right here in Aspen Falls all along.”
“You weren’t looking in the right places,” he said lightly, his eyes twinkling. “Should’ve jaywalked or sped past me. I would’ve noticed you then.”
She chuckled.
His expression became more solemn. “Remember, we shouldn’t be focusing on the past,” he reminded her. “We’re looking toward the future.”
The future.
It still made her heart hurt that Noah’s future had been taken from him.
Guilt still niggled at her. She still had a future to look forward to and he didn’t.
But there was something else blossoming inside her, a new emotion that promised to outshine all the others.
Hope.
“So let’s not look at it as what we’ve lost,” Lucas said. He lowered his head, his lips resting against her hair. “Let’s look at what we’ve found.”
“What did we find?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
His hand cupped her neck and he locked eyes with her. “Each other.”
Her heart was threatening to explode, and she fought a bright smile. Brushing her fingers down his handsome face, she glided her thumb across his lower lip and murmured, “I have another regret.”.
Surprise registered on his face. “You do?”
She nodded, struggling to control her twitching lips.
“What’s that?”
“I regret that we’re not inside.” She reached up, lacing her hands around his neck.
“It’s the nicest day we’ve had in six months.”
For a private investigator, he was being adorably oblivious. Oblivious to the need she’d been fighting since meeting him. Oblivious to the yearning in her hungry heart and body.
Her lips grazed his neck, and she felt him shiver at her touch. “I regret that we’re not in your bed. Or mine…”
She felt his arms tighten around her. “Oh yeah?”
She stepped back to read his expression, suddenly vulnerable as she realized the true depth of her affection—her love—for this man. “Yeah.”
He leaned close, his nose within inches of hers, his breath warm on her skin. “I think I can remedy that,” he whispered.
His lips were so close to hers that she could almost taste his smile.
“I think I can, too.”
THE END
Keep reading to find out whose story is next…
Dear reader…
Dear reader,
Thank you for reading Dead Set. We’re so glad Alaina and Lucas found their way, and look forward to seeing them again in Dark Horse.
The police will be called in to one of Alaina’s new renovations when a skeleton is discovered under the floorboards. Detective Nate Hartford throws himself into the Jane Doe case as a way to cope with his devastating heartache.
That’s right, Sally’s had enough of a boyfriend who is obsessed with work and never around. So she’s walked away.
But can Nate win her back?
When unforeseen circumstances put Sally’s life in danger, Nate will be the first to take action, finally realizing that no amount of case-solving will ever satisfy his heart the way Sally does.
DARK HORSE is due for release in May 2018.
If you want to be the first to hear about it, sign up for the newsletter. You’ll also be eligible for an early release discount, plus a free Melissa Pearl novel.
Happy reading!
xx
Melissa & Anna
Dead Set Page 22