Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
dani
I took another sip of my drink, sneaking a glance at Kole as he poured someone a whiskey.
So much for my promise of never stepping back into this bar.
This was now the third time I’d come in, and I had to grudgingly admit that Kole had been right about me coming back.
There wasn’t much to do in this town after dark and all the other interns came here.
It was either this or sitting in my room alone.
Usually, I would be fine with spending my time alone, but after my mistake with Lucas, I needed to keep my ears open. While the talk at the police station had been nonstop about his death, I needed to know what the town was saying. This bar was the best place to hear gossip.
I was sitting at a table with Miles and another intern who worked at the clinic with him. The woman, Lexi, was next to me telling a story about something, and I nodded when needed, giving the pretense that I was listening when I was actually thinking about Lucas.
I had acted so incredibly stupid that if I didn’t get caught, I’d be shocked.
Going over it again and again, I was positive I didn’t leave any evidence behind near the cliff. So far there had been no talk about anyone seeing me go into the forest with him. Maybe I’d gotten lucky with that.
While the entire situation was a mess, I was the most clear headed I’d been in years.
Or was I? I had no damn idea. I’d spent the last few years convincing myself that I was done with that part of my life.
No more killing. No more playing God and choosing people’s fates for them.
Even though every single one of them deserved it.
Unlike with Lucas, I used to watch my mark for months to be absolutely positive that the world would be better off without them in it.
My college degree and the job I had during school was the reason I’d been able to do it.
The therapist I worked under had no idea that I was stealing his files to stalk his clients.
I chose forensic psychology because of my past—to find the men who nearly killed me.
But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was fucking damaged.
Once I began learning how these people thought and acted, I couldn’t just sit there and listen without doing anything.
How could I talk to them while knowing they want to act on their sick fantasies and hurt people the way I was hurt?
Now I was like them. A killer.
But I didn’t do it for enjoyment. Or at least that was what I kept telling myself. I did it to protect innocent lives. Yet, the smug satisfaction that filled me after every kill made me doubt that sometimes.
When Lucas fell off the edge of the cliff, all I felt was comfort. Knowing he would never hurt Hallie again, or anyone else for that matter, made it right in my mind.
When I lured him into the woods, I had every intention of making him angry enough to hurt me, then I was going to go to Harry to press charges. I had it all planned out. I wasn’t sure when that changed. When he cut me with his knife? When he touched me? I had no idea.
But I did know that ever since watching Lucas fall, I felt like myself again.
Which was a problem.
This internship was supposed to be my fresh start. To finish this year and then go live a normal, boring life.
“Dani?”
I straightened when I realized I missed what Miles said to me.
“Sorry,” I muttered, giving him an apologetic smile. “It’s been a long day.”
“It’s okay, I was just asking if you wanted another drink?”
I glanced at my empty glass. “That would be great, thanks.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
My eyes snapped up and widened when I saw Riggs standing next to the table.
I’d seen him a couple times around town but hadn’t talked to him since meeting him at the hardware store when I bought those knives.
He was wearing the same jacket as last time with his hair pulled back.
He shot me a playful grin, nodding slightly.
“Good to see you again,” he said, completely ignoring Miles glaring at him. “What do you want to drink?”
“Don’t worry about it, man,” Miles said, his smile tight. “I know what she’s drinking.”
He scooted out his chair and got up, heading to the bar before Riggs could respond. Lexi stared at the newcomer curiously, and I cleared my throat.
“This is Riggs,” I introduced him. “That’s all I know about him.”
Riggs chuckled, barely giving her a glance. “Good to meet you. Want to play a game of pool, Dani? Give you a chance to learn more than just my name.”
My stomach flipped at the flirtatious note in his voice. “Not tonight. I’m not staying much longer, but thanks for the offer.”
“You use those knives yet?”
His question had Lexi’s eyes cutting to me. “What?”
“Pocketknives,” I clarified, my cheeks flushing. “And no. I only bring them when I’m walking in the woods.”
“The woods,” he echoed, amusement lacing his voice. “You think a little blade like that will help you against a bear or mountain lion?”
The wildlife wasn’t why I armed myself, but no one here needed to know that. Just like they’d never find out that I had one in my purse, and the other strapped to my ankle under my jeans. Something about this town put me on edge, and I wouldn’t get caught off guard again like I did in the forest.
“It makes me feel better,” I finally replied, forcing a small grin.
“Riggs, let’s go,” a man called from a nearby pool table, holding two sticks. “We’re up.”
“Looks like you already have a partner to play with,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Have fun.”
He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I’ll ditch him in a heartbeat if you want to play.”
I jerked away, creating space between us. “Maybe another time.” My words came out with no hesitation. When I met his eyes, my pulse thudded. He frowned slightly, realization filling his eyes as he took a step back, clearly figuring out I was bothered by what he did.
Ice chilled my veins as I kept his stare. The two drinks I had were making me sloppy. I shouldn’t have reacted to his closeness. I never revealed a hint of my traumatic past. Until now.
“Another time, then.” He flashed me a smile before joining his friend at the pool table.
I hid my emotional scars just as much as my physical ones.
The mask I’d created had only slipped a few times, and I detested when it happened.
No one needed to know what my fears were.
That was weakness. Something I never wanted to show in front of strangers.
I was aware of the evils people kept secret.
“He likes you.” Lexi nudged my shoulder, jolting me back to reality. “He talks about you all the time.”
“Miles?” I asked, with a small laugh. “He’s nice.”
“At least you’ll have a warm body to snuggle up with this winter.” Lexi giggled before taking a sip of her beer. “I hear the cold here gets brutal.” Her eyes darted to the pool table where Riggs was. “It seems like you have more than one option though.”
I didn’t correct her. I had no plans to initiate anything with Miles or Riggs.
Lexi leaned back in her chair when Miles came back to the table. He only had a beer in his hand, and when I met his gaze, I didn’t miss the annoyance sprawled over his face.
“I can’t get your drink,” he grumbled. “That bartender is a dick.”
I frowned, turning my attention toward the bar where I met Kole’s eyes for a second before he began talking to a guy sitting in front of him.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Other than him calling me by the wrong name?” Miles sagged in his chair. “He told me I couldn’t buy drinks for anyone else. It was against his policy.”
Lexi tucked her dirty blonde hair behind her ear as she eyed me with new interest. “That’s interesting. You know the hot bartender, Dani?”
“Everyone in this town knows who he is since they all come here,” I mumbled.
“We can just go back to my place,” Miles said, hope in his voice. “Then we don’t have to deal with the townies who hate us interns.”
“No, I’ll go get my drink.” I stood up. “I know Lexi wanted to finish watching the game.”
I stalked toward the bar, shooting Kole a glare as he watched me come closer. He moved to the end of the bar where no one was sitting, and once I was in front of him, I crossed my arms. Instead of his usual frown, his lips were tipped into a small smirk as he rested his palms on the countertop.
“You’ve been here twice since you swore that you’d never come back,” he murmured, keeping his voice low enough that I had to lean in to hear him over the music and football game. “Yet this is the first time you’ve come up here to get your own drink.”
“What are you doing?” I snapped. “Miles is more than capable of getting my drink.”
He tsked, shaking his head. “You’re smart, Dani. You should know better than to trust anyone with your drink. What if he spiked it?”
I gritted my teeth. He wasn’t doing this because he was worried Miles was a bad guy. I actually wasn’t exactly sure why he was doing this other than to get under my skin.
“And I can trust you?” I snarked.
With a gruff chuckle, he pushed off the bar and grabbed a clean glass, setting it in front of me. Reaching under the counter, he scooped some ice, dumping it into the cup, before pouring vodka and cranberry juice. He stirred it, nodding to the bucket of small straws next to me.
“Always watch your bartender make your drinks.” The warning in his voice shot a shiver down my spine. “Even in small towns like this.”
“Why?” I tossed out. “You think it’s dangerous here?”
We were both thinking of Lucas’s death and the theft at the butcher shop, even though neither of us voiced it. What would he think if he knew I was the one who killed Lucas? I might not trust him, but after living with the man for more than two weeks, he didn’t seem like one of the bad ones.
If he knew what I was, he’d turn me in immediately.
Which meant I had to be very careful in how I interacted with him.
Digging in my purse, I pulled out my debit card only for Kole to shake his head.
“It’s on the house,” he said. “You still need to buy a new pan after catching my oven on fire.”
I grabbed my drink, getting ready to go back to my table. “Next time you’re bored, leave me out of it.”
Before I could move, he grabbed my arm, his fingers curling around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. My eyes flicked to his as I stayed absolutely still. He rubbed the inside of my wrist with his thumb, the small move shooting heat through my stomach.
“Then stop coming into my bar,” he growled roughly. “Because when I see you in here, I want to drag you back to the storage room and finish what we started.”
My lips parted in shock, and his gaze fell to my mouth. His fingers were still tight around my wrist, and for a second, I nearly let my emotions take over my actions. I needed to find a new place to live before I made a mistake and fell into bed with this man.
“If I remember correctly, I did finish that night.” I gave him a smug grin. “Thanks for that.”
I tugged out of his hold, making sure not to spill my drink as I turned around.
“Stay away from Riggs.”
His demand had me freezing in my tracks before I spun around to face him again. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Dani.” His eyes bore into mine as he crossed his arms.
I cocked my head. “Why?”
“Because I know the people in this town. And him? He’s not worth your time.”
“I can judge people for myself,” I bit out. “And he hasn’t done anything wrong. Unlike someone who followed me in the dark. Yet, here I am talking to you.”
Someone called Kole’s name, asking for a refill, and I scurried away, feeling the heat of his stare.
Maybe I should avoid his bar for a while.
Even if I didn’t trust him, he still managed to get under my skin in ways no man had done before.
I looked at the table, seeing Miles and Lexi staring at me.
“Are you okay?” Miles asked, jumping to his feet once I got close. “I can’t believe he grabbed you like that.”
“I’m fine,” I promised as I sat down. “He was just messing around.”
“Didn’t look like it,” Lexi mused. “It seems like you two know each other.”
“I say we tell the sheriff how the bartender in his town is a handsy asshole,” Miles huffed out, looking ready to walk to the police station now.
"Don’t.” I sighed. “I do know him.”
Miles frowned. “How?”
I pursed my lips, debating on lying for a moment. “When we arrived, they made a mistake with my housing. I’m currently living with him until Fiona can find me a new place.”
“You’re living with him?” Miles sputtered, glancing back at Kole.
“For now.”
Lexi let out a laugh, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Oh, this is good.”
Miles fell back into his chair. “You can live with me and Max. I’m sure we’re better company than him.”
“I appreciate it,” I replied, being sincere. “But I know those condos are only two bedrooms. I can’t take someone’s room.”
“You can have mine. I’ll take the couch.”
Well, shit. I knew Miles liked me, but I was realizing it might be more than a small crush. I was going to have to talk to him, not wanting to lead him on. I already had enough on my mind to even consider dating someone here.
“Fiona promised me that she’d find another place soon. Kole isn’t that terrible—most of the time.”
He shrugged, masking his disappointment. “Well, you have somewhere to go if you change your mind.”
I couldn’t stop my gaze from traveling back toward the bar, and my stomach flipped when I caught Kole staring at me. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, but I knew one thing.
After making a mistake with Lucas, I needed to be very careful about everything I did. That included staying away from the men in this town.