An approving smile blooms on his face, chasing away those dark shadows in his eyes. “Good girl. Come on, let’s finish getting the hot chocolate ready for the others.”
Just like that, I’m back to dumping marshmallows in mugs, as if he hasn’t just threatened an entire town full of people with god only knows what kind of retribution if I dare step a toe out of line.
I’ll play his game for now, just like I’d planned. Play along, win his and his family’s trust. Wait until they let their guard down enough to stop watching every move I make.
And then I’ll run.
CHAPTER 14
BRAM
Ithought Josie would be more excited about a trip into town, especially one that involves spending lots of money, considering how much she and Gray used to love shopping when they were younger. But she spends the whole ride to town sulking in the backseat beside me, as if going into town is the worst possible fate she could imagine.
From the front passenger seat, Gray keeps up a running commentary about the people in town, though it doesn’t escape my notice she leaves out Sheriff Donnelly. The sheriff has been something of a thorn in our collective sides ever since we moved to Forbidden Pines, but nobody clashes with her quite like Grayson.
We’re still not sure if they want to kill each other or fuck each other. And we’re not suretheyknow, either.
Eli parks the giant SUV in front of an old brick building, and I watch as Josie’s eyes light up.
“A bookstore!”
That’s the girl I remember. Chuckling, I give one of her ponytails—the ones she argued vehemently against keeping in for her trip to town—a tug. “I know what my baby likes.”
To my delight, she doesn’t immediately shut down at being referred to as my baby, but rather sticks her tongue out at me. “Don’t go getting a big head about it. Once a bookworm, always a bookworm.”
“Fair enough, my little worm.”
Her nose wrinkles. “Ewww, bug is bad enough, don’t call me a worm!”
Our easy banter continues as I help her out of the SUV and lead her into the bookstore, making sure to keep a firm grip on her hand the whole way. It’s been a while since our last snow, so the streets and sidewalks are pretty clear, but you never know when a patch of ice might sneak up on you.
Inside, however, I let her roam, watching silently as she lovingly runs her fingers over the spines in front of her. The bookstore itself is rather eclectic, with a mix of old classics people have brought in to be sold and the newest and hottest books on the market.
It is, to my surprise, the latter section that draws her attention. A bright smile blooms over her face as she pulls a book free, tracing her fingertips over the dark, twisty design on the front.
But before I can see what book she’s chosen, a familiar voice meets my ears. “Hello, Bram.”
Stifling a groan, I plaster on the most welcoming smile I can manage and turn to face Sheriff Reese Donnelly. “Sheriff. Good to see you again.”
At my response, Josie’s head snaps up, her gaze locking on Reese. “Sheriff?”
Reese gives a noncommittal hum, her gaze shifting from me to Josie, and it’s all I can do not to throw myself between them. But if I do that, I’ll just be confirming the suspicion I can see in the sheriff’s pale-green eyes, so I force myself to stay put. “Hello,there.” Reese holds out a hand for Josie to shake. “I’m Sheriff Donnelly. And you are…?”
Fucking hell. Where’s Gray when I need a distraction?
Because I absolutely need a fucking distraction right now. Anything to pull the sheriff’s attention from my babygirl, especially when I canseethe wheels turning in Josie’s mind, despite my warnings back at the cabin. Perhaps she thinks we won’t go after the sheriff. Perhaps she thinks she’s safe, out here in the open. Whatever her thoughts, my gut says I need to get her away from Sheriff Donnelly.
Now.
But before I can figure out a plan of attack, an excited squeal splits the air, making us all jump and spin around to see where the sound came from.
“Oh my god. You’re Marjorie Kincaid!”
Josie
Panic seizes me, freezing me in place as my gaze darts between the three people surrounding me. Daddy is looking at me with his mouth slightly open in shock, while the sheriff is watching me with the wariness one might regard a dangerous predator.
Ironic, considering who she’s standing next to.
