“No. That includes you.”
A wicked expression crossed his face—so knowing—so…carnal. “Does it, now?”
“Yes.” She subtly took a breath to steady herself, keeping her expression bland to hide the turmoil he caused with only a glance. The man was either playing a game or declaring war. Either way, she wasn’t easy to beat. “You’re awful flirty for a man who wanted me out of town just yesterday.”
He stared at the now-empty plate. “I like that you’re not afraid of me.” He lifted his chin, his gaze wandering across her features like a warm caress. “Though you should be.”
The resigned loneliness in his tone resonated throughout her body. “I’m not afraid of much.” Any demons she feared were from the inside, not out. “I’ve been trained by the best to take care of myself. To find evil and hide it away from the rest of humanity.”
“Ah, sweetheart. Who defines evil?” He cocked his head to the side, stilling as he awaited her answer.
“Evil doesn’t require defining. It just is,” she said softly.
Slowly, as if he didn’t want to spook her, he slid his broad hand across the table to run his thumb along her knuckles. “You really believe that.”
“Yes.” The spit in her mouth dried up. Fire flashed hard and fast through her, landing low in her abdomen. The gentle touch from the dangerous man caught her heart in a stutter. She swallowed, trying to force air from her lungs. “What are you playing at?” Her voice emerged much too weak.
He leaned forward, intensity carving grooves along his mouth. “I don’t play. Ever.” The warmth of his touch disappeared as he put his hand in his lap. “Protect yourself andneverforget that.”
As warnings went, it was a damn good one. So much so, she thought to return the favor. “I always catch the bad guy. No matter what it takes or what I must sacrifice, I take him down. You don’t forgetthat.”
“Fair enough.” His gaze shuttered closed as he gestured for the bill. “Let’s hope our goals stay the same, Mia Stone.”
She thought about taking the bill but knew without a doubt he’d end up paying. “Why is that?”
Sadness filtered through his eyes before they blanked. “You don’t want me for an enemy. It would be unfortunate for us both.”
Chapter8
Gena Trevano-Morrison-Hecklevy-Stone edged one foot out onto the warped deck. A slight breeze wandered in from the lake, skittering right up her spine. An hour after dinner seemed like the appropriate time to do this. Good thing Mia had decided to stay in town to meet the sheriff for a late dinner. It was nice to see her working again.
The wind slapped against Gena as if to shove her back inside.
Danger.
Evil.
Pain.
Anything and everything outside the cabin doorway would lead to something bad. She swallowed, the sound deafening.
No danger.
No evil.
No pain.
She repeated the mantra, sliding her foot farther outside. There was nothing bad on the deck. Her mind couldn’t control her.
Yet, it did.
The lessons from the current shrink ran through her head, but the words didn’t make sense. Plus, they were the same words—mainly anyway—from the other shrinks throughout the years.
“I am fucking crazy.”
As she whispered the expletive, she smiled. A little.
Dotty was snoring softly on the flowered couch, her feet on the coffee table, her eyes closed to the episode ofStargate Atlantisplaying on the television. The ex-nun couldn’t hear Gena swear.
