by Katie Reus
Wordlessly Lucas reached across the table, taking one of her hands in his, and the strength and warmth of it had her throat tightening. The steady presence of Lucas Jordan was almost too much to handle.
“Thanks for listening.”
He nodded, his gaze unnerving enough that she looked down into her coffee mug.
“I see the faces of the men I couldn’t save when I sleep. Not always, but they come. Usually after a hard day at work when I’m in a dead-to-the-world kind of sleep.”
She squeezed his hand in return, sorry he had his own nightmares. “The world is a screwed-up place.”
“Yes, it is.” His voice was a deep rumble, soothing all her frayed edges.
She had to look away again because of what she saw in those green eyes—far too much understanding and more than a hint of what he felt for her. She wasn’t sure what to do with the feelings he evoked inside her either. When she was with Lucas, she felt like he understood her in a way most people never could. They’d both survived shitty situations, even if they were wildly different.
Serenity cleared her throat. “I think I’m going to grab a quick workout and then shower.” She wasn’t going back to sleep any time soon and she needed to get some distance from him. For her sanity. And working out on her elliptical machine was the only way she could expend all this energy right now. Well…the only way she’d allow herself.
He looked as if he wanted to say something more but simply dropped his hand and nodded.
She wasn’t sure if she felt relief or disappointment as she headed out of the kitchen. She desperately wished she was in the right headspace for a relationship because Lucas was the strongest, sweetest man she’d ever known.
Chapter 6
Slowly, she drove by Serenity’s house, though it was almost six in the morning. She had an excuse for being out this early if she was stopped by the sheriffs. Not that she thought she’d need it. The budget in a town this small wouldn’t be enough that law enforcement could watch her house full-time. Even if Serenity had run straight to the sheriff once she’d gotten her little present yesterday.
Good. She wanted that bitch off her game. Wanted her terrified. If she’d just died eight years ago, none of this would be happening. It was her fault!
When she saw Lucas’s truck still parked in Serenity’s driveway, she froze for a moment before the rage flowed, wild and hot. He’d never left. Had probably comforted her, screwed her. She jerked at the sharp bite of pain in her leg and realized she’d clawed at her thigh.
She’s taking what’s yours, that voice in her head whispered. It was growing stronger, louder. Angrier.
She shoved it back down. “Shut up!” she shouted to the empty car. Serenity would not take what belonged to her. She wouldn’t.
No, she was in control now, no one else.
Tightening her fingers around the wheel, she dragged in a deep breath, then another, steadying herself.
She had a plan and she would stick to it. She didn’t care what Black said. In fact, she wasn’t asking for his opinion about any of this. Serenity would die, and soon. But not until she’d paid.
Serenity would pay for not dying. For having everything. For existing. She’d been married and had a kid. Then she had to come back to Verona Bay and set her sights on Lucas Jordan. Because of course she did. He was a wealthy man from a good family. And he’d fallen for Serenity’s pitiful act.
As she turned out of the quiet neighborhood, she headed east, toward one of her targets. She would hurt those who Serenity loved, then kill her. She had an entire list of victims just waiting to die.
He’ll be angry, the voice whispered.
“So what?” she muttered.
You’ll leave her daughter motherless, the voice whispered again, the words insidious, mocking.
Again, so what? Her own mother had abandoned her when she was young, and good riddance. She didn’t care what Black thought. He was in prison. He’d abandoned her too.
He’d left her because of his own foolishness. He never should have gotten caught. Never should have left her alone.
Then he tried to tell her what to do, how to live.
Her fingers tightened on the wheel, her knuckles turning white. This was her life. She was in charge. Not him. She ran her own business, depended on no one but herself. She screwed who she wanted, did what she wanted. Serenity surviving was on Black. Not her.
He let Serenity live.
This was all his fault too. She was going to stop living by his rules.
It was as if a weight lifted as she continued driving, the voice in her head going silent as she turned into another quiet neighborhood of townhomes.
One of her targets lived here. Someone who would never see her coming. She wouldn’t kill her today. Not yet. She’d save her for later, when the timing was right.
She might have never killed before but she wasn’t stupid. She could be invisible when necessary. That was how she would get away with this.
By being smarter than everyone else.
Chapter 7
Lucas followed Serenity in his truck as she left the school and headed into work. He didn’t want her going into Tailwaggers at all but that wasn’t his call and that wasn’t how life worked. She had bills to pay like everyone else, no matter how alarming yesterday had been.
As he drove, he called his brother, not caring how early it was. Lincoln would be awake anyway.
“Hey,” his brother answered on the first ring. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Following Serenity to her shop. Where are you at with the bracelet?” He wasn’t going to bother making small talk.
“Called Special Agent Amy Lin and overnighted it to her. We don’t have the resources to get fingerprints in a timely manner. And I trust her to make this a priority if she thinks it’s important.”
“Good.” Lin was the FBI agent who’d been in charge of the Michael Black serial killer case years ago. It was the case that had apparently made her career, and she was very good at her job, according to Lincoln. “What about Serenity? You going to have patrols driving by her place?”
“Did I miss something where you’re my boss now?” His brother’s tone was dry.
“Shut up,” he muttered.
“Look, I’m short-staffed and you know what our budget is like. I’ve got my people running patrols and spending extra time on Main Street now. Tonight I’ll have one of my guys do extra sweeps down her street.”
“Good… Thank you.”
“Just doing my job. I care about Serenity as much as you.”
Now Lucas snorted. Lincoln knew how much Lucas cared about Serenity and it wasn’t in the same stratosphere.
“You know what I mean.”
Yeah, he did. Lincoln had been friends with both Serenity and Savannah, and Lucas was grateful his brother was the sheriff now of all times. Otherwise he wouldn’t be getting any sort of updates about this at all.
As they disconnected, Lucas parked next to Serenity on Main Street.
“Thank you for the escort,” she said, a half-smile teasing her lips as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Her grooming shop was a few stores down but there was no parking out front this morning despite how early it was. Probably because everyone was packed into Momma’s Kitchen.
“Want to grab breakfast?” he asked, nodding at the diner.
“I can’t, but thanks. I need to prep before Adeline gets in.”
“My mom should be bringing Daisy in later. If you need anything today, just call me and I’ll be here.”
She nodded and shoved her hands into her jeans as she stood there, slightly shivering. She’d worn a thick cardigan and a scarf but it was chilly this morning. Her dark hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and if she had on makeup, he couldn’t tell. As always, she looked beautiful…but today she looked exhausted. No wonder. If she was his, he’d have exhausted her with pleasure.
She looked as if she wanted to say something but just nodded. “I will, thanks.”
&nbs
p; He watched her walk down the sidewalk and waited until she went into her shop. He knew it had a security system and that she would be locking herself inside until it was time to open.
He inwardly cursed himself as he headed inside the local bakery, Sweet Spot. Things between him and Serenity had shifted, he was sure of it. And he knew what he wanted, but he didn’t want to move too fast and push her away.
This morning at her kitchen table things hadn’t been strained exactly, but different between them. He felt as if they’d crossed some kind of invisible barrier, but maybe he was wrong. She’d certainly surprised him by opening up to him in a way he was fairly certain she didn’t do often with others—if at all. And he sure as hell had told her things he’d never told anyone except his brothers.
Shoving those thoughts away, he smiled at Bianca who was working behind the counter. As the owner, she usually wasn’t up front in the mornings because she was in the back baking and prepping for the day. They’d grown up together and she’d taken over the shop from the previous owner.
The petite woman smiled brightly at him. “Morning, Lucas.”
He returned the greeting even as he eyed the menu behind her. “A couple blueberry muffins, a small quiche, one coffee black and a café au lait, please.”
Bianca lifted an eyebrow as she started gathering the food together. There were six tables inside, four of which were already filled. The little bell on the door jingled and he glanced over his shoulder to see two more people strolling in.
“Blueberry muffins and a café au lait—Serenity’s favorite.”
Since Bianca wasn’t asking a question so much as making an observation, Lucas gave her a neutral smile as he pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and waited for her to get the drinks together.
She wasn’t deterred, however. “Not going to give me any gossip, huh? At least tell me if you’re off the market?” Her smile was flirtatious, though he was certain that had nothing to do with him and everything to do with her wanting an answer for the small-town gossip mill. She’d asked him out once when he’d first moved back to town but he’d politely declined. And since then she’d been nothing but friendly, if flirty.
“You’re very nosy this morning.”
She snorted. “I’m nosy every morning. So you’re not going to give me anything?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Nothing to tell.”
“Fine. But I already heard through the grapevine that your truck was seen at Serenity’s house early this morning. And that it was there all night.” Her grin widened.
Ah, hell. He tightened his jaw, handed her cash as she read off the total. He wasn’t going to respond one way or another. Small-town gossip was the worst, and he hadn’t even thought about how last night would look for Serenity. She was single and her husband had been dead for two years, but still, people would talk.
He’d have to tell her, though she might already know. People assuming that they were sleeping together was better than them gossiping about why he’d really stayed over. “Thanks,” he said, picking up the bag and heading out.
The walk to Serenity’s shop took all of thirty seconds. She smiled when she saw him through the glass window front, but her eyes lit up when she saw the bag in his hands.
“Please tell me there are blueberry muffins in there,” she said as she opened the door for him.
“There are, but I didn’t say they were for you.”
She let out a startled laugh. “Really? Well, I’m going to have to rethink our friendship, then.”
“I also brought you a café au lait.”
She laughed again as she took the cup from his hand. “I guess we’re still friends, then. Thank you for this.” Sighing, she continued. “I have a feeling today is going to be one of those long days.”
The faint scent of dog filled the air, but she had a couple diffusers running with lemongrass oil. It seemed to keep everything smelling fresh enough so that the pet smell wasn’t overwhelming. Soon enough the place would be full of dogs, including the six individual stalls at the front where people could wash their dogs on their own.
“Look, I feel weird saying this, but Bianca mentioned knowing that I stayed over last night. Apparently one of your neighbors saw my truck in the driveway. So if she knows, there’s a good chance a lot of the town does.” Bianca wasn’t known for keeping things to herself.
Serenity groaned as she pulled a muffin out of the bag. She hadn’t eaten this morning—just had coffee—so he was glad she was now. “I didn’t even think about that, but I should have. Freaking small towns,” she muttered. “Some days I miss being anonymous.”
He lifted a shoulder, trying to get a read on her. He couldn’t tell if she was actually annoyed. “I just wanted you to be prepared in case anyone says anything.”
She bit her bottom lip, looking thoughtful. “What should I say? I don’t want to tell people the truth.”
“You can just tell people we’re dating.” He wanted to be, anyway. Okay, he wanted more than dating.
“I’m not going to do that to you.”
“Do what to me? Have the town think I’m dating a smart, successful, beautiful woman? Oh no, the horror.” He gave her a dry look.
She looked shocked by his words even as she let out a sort of snort laugh that softened her entire face. God, he loved that laugh. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t know what you mean. Is it so awful for people to think you’re dating me?”
“Please. You know it’s not.” She rolled her eyes, as if he was ridiculous.
Did he? “We have two options at this point. The truth, or to tell people we’re dating.”
“Or the third option, don’t say anything at all.”
“True enough. But you know how well that will go over,” he said. Not saying anything would just get the town even more curious.
Sighing, she leaned against the front counter where she sold all sorts of dog treats. “Fine. If people ask questions, I’ll just be vague.”
“Same here. I’ll tell my family the truth but keep everything else vague enough.”
“I’m sorry to drag you into this,” she said, taking a sip of her drink.
“You didn’t drag me into anything. I volunteered. And I don’t care if people think we’re together.” He wanted to ask her out on an official date, but restrained himself. She had enough on her plate right now. And if she wasn’t interested in him, he didn’t want things to be awkward between them. Right now she needed a friend more than anything else. A friend and a protector.
That was something he could definitely be even if he wanted more. Because he would do anything to keep her safe. She’d been through hell and come out stronger for it. And he respected the hell out of that.
“All right, I’ve got to get to work,” he continued. “What time is Adeline coming in?”
She glanced at her watch. “About half an hour. We have a full day today.”
He nodded once, wishing they actually were in a relationship so he could kiss her goodbye, but said, “I’ve got my phone on me. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do. Thanks again for the treats. I’ll be sharing with Adeline.”
Laughing, he let himself out and waited until she locked the door behind her. The only reason he made himself leave was because he saw a patrol car across the street.
The deputy nodded once at Lucas and lifted his own cup of what Lucas assumed was coffee in greeting.
Okay, he could breathe again. Serenity had Adeline coming in soon and a deputy watching out for her. Not to mention Main Street would be bustling with activity soon.
She’d be as safe as anyone could be in today’s world. Though it went against all his instincts, he left.
Chapter 8
Serenity stepped out of the small bathroom of her shop where she’d taken a quick shower to freshen up and change out of her fur-covered, dog-scented clothing, and picked up her duffel bag.
“Are you good for the rest of the day?” she as
ked Adeline, who had just finished blow-drying an adorable Labradoodle. The medium-sized guy had gone from complete, fuzzy furball to a trimmed-up handsome little prince ready to go home to his owner—who spoiled him. Most days she really missed having a dog. Soon enough they’d be getting another one.
“Yeah, I’ve got it. As long as Callie handles the register, I’ve got these guys, no problem.” There were only three dogs left to groom, wash and dry.
Louise Jordan had long since dropped off and picked up Daisy—and Serenity had been disappointed that it hadn’t been Lucas picking her up. “Thanks. As soon as you’re done, close up. Don’t wait around for any walk-ins.”
“You sure?” Adeline looked surprised, her dark eyebrows raised slightly. Today she wore a skintight, bright purple shirt that popped against her brown skin. And of course she had on her sparkly sneakers. Silver today—and she had them in every color.
“Yeah, I’m sure. And make sure you and Callie walk each other to your vehicles. Don’t walk alone.”
Adeline frowned as she started cleaning her tools. “Is something going on?”
Serenity paused for a second. She’d been planning to tell her friend and probably should’ve done it earlier in the day. Normally she told Adeline everything.
Quickly, she relayed what had happened and the brief details. As she finished, she said, “I have no reason to believe this will affect anyone else but…it just freaks me out.”
Adeline stared in shock. “I’ll be careful. And if I see any weirdos hanging around, I’ll definitely let you know. I’ve always got my pepper spray with me anyway,” she said, patting her back pocket.
“Good. And I know this is a weird request, but maybe just text me when you get home today?” Yeah, maybe she was going overboard, but yesterday had really rattled her. It wasn’t like whatever weirdo who had left the bracelet had threatened her friends but Serenity still felt uneasy.
“You got it. By the way, is that the real reason that Lucas stayed over last night?”
Serenity blinked in surprise. “You know about that?” Adeline hadn’t said a word about it today.