It was Donny Phelan. “We have to talk.”
“I don’t have to do anything.” I wrenched my arm free, anger flashing hot through my chest. “You’re following me?”
“I saw you come in.” His eyes darted around the hallway, wild and unfocused. “This is urgent. They’re watching me all the time. I have nowhere else to turn.”
“What’re you?—”
I didn’t get to finish.
Dean appeared, moving so fast I barely registered it. He shoved Phelan away from me and against the wall, his forearm pressed across the man’s throat. Phelan’s hat toppled to the ground.
The look on Dean’s face was cold. Brutal. Every muscle in his body was coiled tight. This wasn’t the man who’d kissed me just a few minutes ago.
This was the sniper. The assassin.
“Give me one good reason,” Dean said, his voice dangerously quiet, “why I shouldn’t break your neck right now.”
“Dean,” I said carefully.
“I told you what would happen if you didn’t leave Keira alone.”
Phelan’s face had gone pale. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just need help.Please.”
Dean’s forearm pressed harder. “Don’tReal Menhandle their own shit? Take charge of their own lives? You sound pathetic.”
Phelan was shaking now. “They’re watching me,” he hissed. “Constantly. I can’t go anywhere, can’t do anything without them knowing. I barely slipped away today. Then I sawher, and I thought if we could just talk…”
“Talk aboutwhat?” I demanded.
“I think I know who attacked you that night a few months back. Shot you. If you help me, I’ll help you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Dean
“This place gives me the creeps,”Keira muttered, eyeing the deserted park through her binoculars.
“No kidding.” I glanced around the parking lot, where the only other car was a decrepit, abandoned van with two flat tires.
“Lots of places for people to hide in the trees. But Phelan really did seem scared. Not sure he’s that good of an actor.” She handed me the binoculars, and I took a look from the passenger seat.
We were in Keira’s car. She’d insisted on being the one to drive us into town this afternoon, even thoughI’dasked her on the date.
I was already losing patience with this whole situation. We should’ve been walking down Main Street right now toward the restaurant. Not scoping out a clandestine meeting spot, hoping Phelan actually had information and wouldn’t screw us over.
I’d wanted to do something special for Keira tonight. Wanted to give her just a little bit of what she deserved, even though I couldn’t give her everything. Shopping with her had felt so normal. She’d seemed like she wasn’t enjoying it atfirst, but after I showed her how sexy she was in that dress, well…
Danger had been the last thing on my mind. I’d told Keira to head to the coffee shop while I bought her a present. It was still in my pocket, wrapped up in tissue paper. But I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight. Keira was far stronger now, and she’d been working her ass off in training, so it wasn’t about her ability. I didn’twanther to have to defend herself.
Fucking Donny Phelan. He’d snuck up on Keira and ruined our afternoon, so I wasn’t feeling very sympathetic to the guy. Certainly didn’t trust him.
The ambiance of the park didn’t reassure me. A tall chain-link fence surrounded an ancient playground full of rusty equipment. Looked like the county was going to replace the old jungle gym and swing set with newer stuff, but the construction hadn’t started yet.
There were some picnic tables scattered among the pines, fire rings dark with ash, and a single restroom facility that had seen better days.
We still had fifteen minutes before we were supposed to meet. Phelan had suggested this spot, all nervous and paranoid, before he dashed out of the coffee shop.
“You think it’s a trap?” I asked. “Say the word, and we’re out.”
