6. It’s All About Pretense
It’s All About Pretense
Kate’s stomach dropped, cheeks reddening. But Denise mistook its meaning, she hovered closer, a hand by her mouth as she said. “Don’t be ashamed to spill the beans either, as you can imagine Clara will be devastated of course the poor girl, but well, let’s say she’s out of her dream now.”
Makes two of us.
Denise tugged her deeper into what might as well have been the belly of the beast. The shop could have had steel bars at its windows, armed guards at the door, for if the two women working in it trusted Lucien with their lives.
Who was to say anyone else would believe her, or how deep his influence in this damned town went?
Almost… I almost did it.
Tears pricked behind her eyes, threatening to spill past, just as Lucien rounded the corner. He sent her a grin, jerking his head to the exit while mouthing. “Nice try.” It nearly made her break down then and there, but she swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back the tears.
He stilled, eyes skimming over her face for a couple of seconds, before he turned to Denise. “I’m sorry, I just received a call from the sanctuary, Kate and I should be leaving. Is there any way you can deliver the clothes to my place? Anything warm will do in her size really.”
“Oh, of course!” The older woman waved his apology away. “No worries dear, you go and save the world. One question though, are there any budget limits?”
Save the world?
His lips spread into a wide smile, lighting up his green eyes. For a second, looking every bit the handsome, charming man these women thought he was. “No limit at all.”
Warm hands clasped over hers. Denise. “It’s been so good to meet you Kate! I hope to see you again soon, wait hun… are you crying?”
So they can see. He didn’t get a call, he just needed to cut the shopping spree short before I break down entirely.
Lucien appeared beside her. “Just hormones. I’ll get her home.”
Home… no. I can’t go back to that place.
“Ah yes…” Denise sighed. “The monthly ritual of women.” Clara appeared behind them. “Monthly ritual?”
The world threatened to tilt over, legs struggling to remain upright, she shifted her weight.
Then… warmth spread across her lower back.
Close… but not quite touching. Lucien’s hand.
She froze under the near touch, eyes flitting between Clara who clocked the movement, to Denise who held a hand in front of her mouth in barely concealed happiness.
Don’t push him away, not now. Get it together, use it.
She was his girlfriend, right? Two could play that game.
Kate straightened her shoulders, wiping a sleeve over her face before smiling softly, angling herself closer to Lucien to force his hand onto her back. He stiffened.
“Perhaps it’s better for me to just… go for a walk. Clara, I’m new in town and would love to get to know people.” She sniffed. “I think I just need some female company really.”
Lucien’s head shot up.
Clara, thank God, played along. Though judging by the ire in her eyes, it cost her. “I would love to! I can show you all the sights around here.’’
“Yes!’’ Kate clapped her hands, forcing excitement. “Girls’ time, am I right?”
“Tomorrow at twelve?’’ Clara inquired.
“I was actually thinking about today. How late do you get off of work?’’
Today. Else I won’t see another morning.
Clara replied. “Euhm, that would be at five. That’s fine I guess.’’
“Great!’’ Another smack of her hands. “I’ll just stay here and rummage around some, then you.’’ Her sugar-coated smile fell on Lucien. “Can pick me up later.’’
The cocky smirk he sent her said 'No way in hell.'
How are you going to get out of this one, pal?
“Oh sweetie.’’ His fingers brushed over hers. “Don’t you remember the appointment we had?’’ Kate winked at him. Watching as his eyes lit up in joy, oh he was enjoying this.
Maybe so am I.
She poked him with a finger in the chest, feeling the hardness beneath. “We can reschedule. You’ve been saying how I need to get out of the house more.’’
He tilted his head. “But what about the baby?’’
The baby?!
This time it was Kate who winced as Denise clapped her hands together. “You guys are expecting? No wonder you’re overcome by hormones!’’ Clara gasped. “Oh, dear lord.’’
Recently. I met him recently, remember? She gaped at Denise, willing her to understand. Respond, Kate. Don’t let this sneaky weasel slip you up.
She waved the enthusiasm away with a hand. “Oh, nonsense! He wants to be a dad, but I think he’s gonna have to work harder than what’s been on display thus far.”
Lucien took a step toward the exit. “And that’s our cue to leave.’’
“What about our walk, though?’’
Denise drove it home. “Honey, if there is even a chance you’re pregnant. We won’t be stopping you from going to the gynaecologist. Now go! Clara will still be here.’’
I don’t understand it. What is up with these people?
Denise shooed Kate out of the store, Lucien strode ahead. Nothing in his posture gave anything away, no frustration at her quip about his manhood. It would have been easier… if he had started screaming at her but nothing but a cool aura surrounded the man.
What did I just do?
Left and right, no one in sight. Only the cold wind and the man waiting for her in his car. They got in, their doors falling shut at the same time.
Soon as she settled in her seat, Lucien burst out laughing.
Kate stared at him in shock. He chuckled once more, patting his leg.
“That was a good one. Smart too.’’ He focused the entirety of his sharp eyes on her.
She nearly shrank in her seat. “I’ll admit, you nearly got me there.
’’ Starting the engine, he shook his head, reversing off of the parking with one hand turning the wheel.
On the road again. And no word about me nearly breaking down.
Anger bubbled up under her skin. Oh, she’d done enough damage. Why hold back now? She bit out between clenched teeth. “How very nice of you.’’
With his face a mask of mock confusion, he leaned back in his seat. “What did I do?”
“Using me to get rid of the girl’s crush. Following me around like some… some sick psychopath.’’
The teasing grin he’d worn all morning faded away. ‘‘You’re a resourceful woman, Kate. Underestimating you would be a mistake. And I’m not in the habit of making mistakes.’’
“Yet, you made one with me.’’
Silence. Glancing to her left, she saw him tilt his head at her snarky comment. ‘‘I’m sure many would call it a miracle.”
“A miracle?”
Nodding once, his green eyes met hers. ‘‘You’re right on one thing, you weren’t meant to survive.
’’ He waited a beat, letting the words sink in.
“I traced my steps, double-checked the dosage, everything was done as it should be.’’ His fingers tapped the steering wheel as if in thought.
“Which makes your survival… peculiar, to say the least. But it wasn’t a mistake. ”
“Why am I still alive?’’ She wasn’t talking about the poison.
The answer rolled off his tongue with ease. “The DNA beneath your fingers is the only reason you’re breathing right now.’’
Oh Gods.
The white bandages still peeked out from beneath his sweater. And what was missing, plastered beneath her nails.
There was no hint of frustration in his tone. For him, it was nothing but a statement.
For me… a death sentence.
Her seconds were numbered, limited. He was waiting for the evidence to disappear. But then… why take her shopping for clothes? Why take the risk of exposing her to the people around him?
None of it made sense. She rested her forehead in her hand, pressing against the drum pounding in her head. It couldn’t be the only reason. There was something more. Something he wasn’t sharing.
Questions raged through her mind, but she asked only one. “Promise me something.’’
Lucien’s attention snapped to her. His eyes narrowed as he took in the seriousness etched on her face, he gave a slow nod.
“Promise me you’ll give me a heads up before you make your move. I want to see the end coming.’’ She didn’t look away.
His arm tensed, knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. But he inclined his head. “I promise, when that day comes, you’ll know.’’
She gazed out the window. Nodding, she bit back her tears. “Good. I’ll hold you to that.’’