Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
And the man lying in it.
Clifford Haynes is dead.
He’s been slashed across the throat.
Fuck. Just like that attorney, Brick Latham, who we found in Raven’s old bedroom in our parents’ house. The pillow beneath his head is soaked dark, the blood dried to a deep rust color. His eyes are open, glassy.
Falcon stands in the doorway. “Well. That explains why he didn’t answer.”
I step closer and look around. No sign of a struggle. On the nightstand is a lamp, an old wind-up alarm clock, and a full glass of water.
“This was quiet,” I say. “Controlled.”
“Professional?” Falcon asks.
“Could be. Or someone who knew him well enough to get close without a fight.”
We search the rest of the room. Dresser drawers hold folded clothes with a few porn magazines tucked underneath. The closet is half empty.
Falcon checks under the bed. “Nothing but dust.”
The whole place feels staged.
“I wonder if someone from Daniela’s past paid him to leave the notes.” I say. “And then got rid of him.”
Falcon nods. “Which means the person behind the gifts is still out there.”
I don’t reply right away. I stare at Haynes’s dead eyes, and the heat outside suddenly feels colder.
“Yeah,” I finally say, massaging my temples to ease an erupting headache. “It does.”
32
DANIELA
Jordan drops into the chair across from me like he’s claiming the whole table.
“I have evidence Hawk broke into my house.”
I blink. “What?”
Gina stops mid-bite. Lavender freezes with her soda halfway to her mouth.
Jordan’s voice is steady. Almost casual. “The truck tailing me yesterday morning? Same make, model, and color as Hawk’s. The vehicle that’s registered in his name.”
Gina raises her eyebrows. “That’s…specific.”
Lav sets her soda down slow. “It could have been anyone. I mean, trucks are a dime a dozen in Texas.”
Jordan shakes his head. “I didn’t get the license plate number.” He leans forward. “But then I saw him. At church.”
A laugh slips out before I can stop it. “Church?”
“Back of the sanctuary,” he says. “He didn’t take communion. Just sat there. Watching.”
“That’s not uncommon.” My voice is sharp. “Plenty of people don’t take communion.”
Lavender wrinkles her nose. “I don’t. I hate the taste of that cheap wine.”
Jordan’s eyes lock on mine. “He looked just like the guy you brought to the waterpark. Same build. Same hair.”
Gina lets out a low chuckle. “If Hawk was watching Jordan, it’s because he’s into you, Dani. Hardcore.”
Lavender grins. “And he’s stupid hot, by the way.”
“Can we not?” I snap. I turn to Jordan. “You have no proof, so what’s the point of all this? Besides, I know Hawk. He’d never hurt anyone.”
“I’m not so sure of that.” Jordan’s jaw tightens. “Your guy’s got a temper. I saw it at the park. The way he looked at me? He wanted to knock my teeth out.”
“I’m sure he did. You were being a dick. But it looks like every tooth is still firmly planted in your ill-mannered mouth, so you can’t say he has a temper,” I say. “Furthermore, as to your so-called evidence, you’ve got a truck you think looked like his, and a man you think looked like him from across a church. That’s it. Circumstantial.”
“You think that’s a coincidence?”
“Yes.” The word tastes like metal. “I think you’re miffed that I brought Hawk as my date to the waterpark.”
Lav’s eyes go wide. “Ouch.”
Jordan doesn’t flinch. “I’m trying to warn you.”
“I don’t need your warning.” I take a bite of my sandwich. It turns to paste in my mouth.
Lav nudges me. “If a guy trailed another man for me, I’d consider that romance.”
“That’s obsession,” Jordan mutters.
“That’s loyalty,” she fires back.
“That’s dangerous,” I cut in. But my fists are clenched in my lap. “And Hawk didn’t do anything of the sort, so the point is moot.”
Jordan tilts his head. “You don’t sound convinced.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m convinced you’re making something out of nothing.”
Gina leans toward me. “Just saying, Hawk strikes me as the kind of man who’d burn down a city for you.”
Lav laughs. “And look damned good doing it.”
Jordan’s watching me watch him. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you? Wondering if Prince Charming really could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
“No.”
I focus on my lunch.
My phone alarm rings.
Thank God. Lunch is over.
I stand. “Back to class.”
Lav pushes up with me. “I guess you’re back with Jordan.”
Shit. That’s right.
Oh, well. I can be a professional. Besides, we already baked a cake. Chef Charleston will no doubt have lectures this afternoon.
I walk faster.
Lav falls into step beside me. “You okay? You look like you’re about to take a swing at someone.”
I shake my head quickly. “I’m fine.”
“Fine means not fine.”
I don’t answer.
We step into the bright kitchen lab. The rest of the class is already drifting toward stations, tying aprons.
I drop my bag under the counter. My phone is in my hand before I even think about it. I type up a quick text message.