Chapter 10
LILIANA
This is too much. Way too much.
My head spins as I stand near the exit of the gallery, thanking all the attendants for coming. Big deals were made, and for that, I guess I can’t be upset, but also…
The man I fantasized about killing a few hours before stood watch like some sort of justice-serving superhero the entire time.
And my body had appalling reactions.
Ugh, what is wrong with me?
“Wow,” a hand lands on my shoulder, and I startle sideways. “You’re jumpy.”
I glare at Alice, who seems to have appeared from nowhere. “It’s just been a big night. You know how these events are for me.”
“Yeah,” she nods, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“You’re usually all up in your element, not acting like you just committed murder.
” She lets out a laugh, tipping her glass of champagne back and then giving me a weird look.
“You’re okay, right? Do I need to go have a talk with someone for you? ”
I shake my head, swallowing the lump in my throat as Detective Shaw approaches us.
He and his partner are the last to leave, even Marissa has been sent home.
I take a deep breath and try to focus on the way that Parker looks like he wants to devour Alice, rather opposite of Shaw’s dark greenish, amber eyes boring holes in the side of my head.
“Thank you for coming,” I force the words out to the two of them, giving them both a nod and hoping they’ll just freaking leave.
But no, they hover right there with us.
“It was a nice event,” Parker quips, his eyes roaming the now-empty building. “I didn’t realize how many people cared about art.”
“Well, Liliana is one of the best,” Alice chimes, batting her thick eyelashes at Parker. “She’s got a way of drawing in a crowd.”
“I bet she does,” Shaw’s deep voice rattles my bones.
I grit my teeth as I force a closed lip smile. “Hmm,” I say, taking a step toward them to show them right out of my gallery.
Parker takes a step away, grabbing for Alice’s hand in a way that I’m certain is not professional. “You busy tonight?” The way he looks at my best friend has my stomach rolling. It’s as if there’s no one else in the room.
Fucking Disney-level romance.
My eyes divert away from the two of them, and suddenly, I realize just how close I am to Shaw, his shoulder just inches from mine. I catch a whiff of his cologne, something musky, unoriginal, but still intoxicating nonetheless…
And my entire body starts to sweat.
“I really need to get home,” I blurt out, my mind running back to the sick fantasy I got off to. I can’t look at Shaw without thinking about his dick inside of me and his blood spurting out all over my face.
Fuck. My pussy aches. I need to leave.
“Why don’t you let Adrian take you home?” Parker nods to his partner. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
“I need to close up here,” I keep my tone even.
“I didn’t drive,” Detective Shaw says, his voice flat. “I wouldn’t be able to drive Liliana home.”
“Well,” Parker’s eyes bounce between the two of us. “Then I guess we’ll just call it an evening.” His baby blues meet mine, holding them with a warmth that feels opposite to his partner’s. “Do you feel safe enough to be here on your own, Liliana?”
My lips part, but stop moving before anything comes out.
“Are you alright, Lil?” Alice’s voice softens, her brow creasing with worry.
“Totally,” I force a smile, the lie coming out easier than I think it probably should. “I’m just a little tired from the long day.”
“Well, and I’m sure it’s not easy with the whole murder thing happening in the gallery. I don’t know how you deal with that,” Alice gives me a half-smile, laced with a sympathy that makes me feel more nauseous than cared about. “I can wait with you.”
“No, no,” I brush it off. “I’m good. I can have an Uber here in a few minutes. I just need to lock up.”
“Why don’t we stay for the lock up?” Parker suggests, and as much as I want to disagree, I can’t bring myself to. I’m not scared of whoever murdered the man in my gallery.
I’m only scared of being alone around Detective Shaw right now.
“I’ll just be a minute,” I say, clearing my throat.
“I’ll get that Uber for you,” Alice chimes, pulling out her phone and leaning into Parker.
I continue to pretend that Detective Shaw doesn’t exist in the moment, ignoring the way his eyes try to pin me as I back away from the three of them, my heels clicking on the tile in a way that echoes through the building.
As I finally turn, Alice’s voice fills the space in between, and I dart off toward my office, trying to push away the feeling that Shaw is still watching me. I know he is.
And who knows what he thinks of me.
I’m sure he knows where I come from.
I swallow hard, squeezing my eyes shut as I make a beeline for my office. I rip the door open and step inside, my heart pounding in my chest. I scour the desk, picking up my phone and my purse. I click the screen and let out a sigh as I see the multiple missed calls from my mother.
I’ve been avoiding her. Even though I need her right now.
And as if she senses that I must have my phone, suddenly, the thing starts to vibrate with an incoming call.
Damnit. My eyes jump to the window, but the hallway outside is empty. I’m sure Alice is keeping everyone entertained. My eyes bounce between the phone and the spot where I assume they all still are.
Maybe she’d make me feel better…
Or worse.
Still, I swipe to answer—anything I can do to lessen my near panic right now.
“Hey,” I breathe out. “How are you, Mom?”
“Liliana Marie Wilson,” my mother’s voice comes across stern, rather than her usual warmth. “Why have you not been picking up? Why did I have to find out from the news that something happened at your gallery?”
Oh shit.
“Um…”
“I’m worried about you. Are you okay? Have you seen Dr. Kellar lately?”
I run a hand over my face, the thought of my therapist, who I haven’t seen in years, coming to mind. “I… I’m fine. I’ve just been busy.”
“You don’t sound like yourself.”
“Well, I think that’s to be expected.” My tone sharpens, and I instantly regret it. “I’m sorry.” I let out a sigh, guilt throbbing in my temple. “It’s just been a lot.”
“I can only imagine,” her voice dips in volume, “You know I’m here if you need to talk about…anything.” I don’t know what she’s insinuating with her statement, but I do know I’m probably reading too much into it. “Liliana, if something happened, you need to tell me.”
Okay, maybe I’m not reading into it too much.
I rake my fingers through my hair, ruining the updo that Alice did for me. “It’s not like that.” I keep my tone even as I lean against my desk. “I don’t know… Well, I don’t know exactly what happened here, but I’m worried it’s… I’m worried it’s bringing things up for me.”
She’s silent.
“It’s just bad thoughts.” About killing the detective.
Finally, a heavy breath comes through. “We all have bad thoughts sometimes. And given what you experienced, I think it’s normal for those to be…conflicting with what you would actually do. Just because you’re the daughter of a murderer doesn’t mean that you’re destined to become one.”
What a freaking pep talk.
“Yeah, I know.” My voice comes out flat, and I push up off my desk, my stomach churning. As much as I’d like to confide in my mom about my weird sex fantasy and have her reinforce the idea that I’m not going to end up acting on it, I stay quiet.
I’m pretty sure if I told her, she might have me committed.
Lovingly, of course.
“I’ll make a trip to the city to see you soon,” she says, her voice staying in that soft motherly tone. “I promise. I’ve just been enjoying Moccasin Cove for a while. It’s a nice lake getaway.”
“Yeah, I bet. Thanks, Mom. I need to go though.” I take a deep breath and head for the door of my office, tugging it open.
“Love you.” My mom’s words fall on my deaf ears as I meet the gaze of Detective Shaw, standing right there in the doorway.
“Love you,” I say blankly, still caught in the gaze of Adrian. I pull the phone away from my ear and double-click to end it.
He never misses a beat, and the intensity sends a shiver running down my spine. “Your Uber is waiting for you, Liliana.”
“Hmm,” I choke out, sliding my phone into my purse. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Boyfriend on the phone?” Adrian pokes, as I slip past him to head back in the direction of Alice’s sweet, light, and ultimately ironic voice. “Seemed like you needed privacy for that.”
“Well, believe it or not, some people actually tell their mother they love them,” I snap the words, choosing not to look back at him as I walk. I can only imagine that Adrian probably came from some perfect fucking little house in the suburbs, with a mommy and daddy who loved him dearly.
He wouldn’t even know what it’s like to be the daughter of a monster.
He lets out a grunt noise from behind me, and I plaster a fake little smile on my face as I reach Alice and Parker, who are way more caught up in each other than anything else.
I clear my throat, waving them toward the door. “I hate to push you all out, but I do have to lock up.” I’m half tempted to make another murder joke to that but hold back. I highly doubt these two would find it funny.
I don’t even think I’d find it all that funny.
It’s just a twisted way of coping with the shitstorm.
“You and I need to get breakfast in the morning,” Alice turns as we step out into the cool evening air. “Love you.” She leans in and plants a light kiss on my cheek, and I give her a light pat on the arm. I’ve never been one for hugs or kisses, not even from my closest friends.
Parker follows Alice to one of three running cars right outside the gallery, and they both give me a little wave as they slide inside.
“That can’t be professional,” I say under my breath, shaking my head.
“He’s never been one for professionalism,” Shaw startles me, his voice husky.
“Oh, and you are?” I tip my head just enough to meet his eye, ignoring the fear pulsing in my veins. “Let’s not forget what happened in the alley.”
Adrian leans in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “It could’ve been much, much worse, Liliana. I think I did the guy a favor, really.”
“Hmm,” is all I manage to get out, as my stomach tightens.
“Have a good evening,” he says, straightening back up and pointing to the silver Toyota Camry. “That one is yours, by the way.”
“Right, thanks,” I grip my purse a little tighter and head for the car, pulling the back passenger door handle. As I do, I glance over to Detective Shaw, who’s standing there, his ride’s door already open. His eyes are dark, the shadows of the buildings casting a weird blackness across his face.
He looks like a fucking predator. Not a cop. Not a hero.
He cocks a brow at me. “You okay, Miss Wilson?” He pauses, but not long enough for me to answer—just long enough for a smirk to creep across his face. “Or…is it Miss Longley?”
I don’t answer him. Instead, I drop right into the backseat of the car as sweat pools at my hairline and my knuckles grow white.
Fuck you, Detective.
Fuck. You.