“She was protecting me in her dream, Billy! But he and I have never met, and he sure as shit never killed me in real life. Therefore, her dreams are just dreams.Notmemories. They were her subconscious screwing her over and making her feel guilty for things she never did. She was freaking out at the idea that she was a killer and you’d toss her in jail, and frankly, I was more concerned with protecting her sanity than forcing her to make a statement for a crime she never actually committed. If he grabbed her,forced her away from her fiancé, then it’s entirely possible she’d lose weight, look a little rough, and run into traffic trying to escape him again.”
“If he grabbed her and forced her away from her fiancé, then why would she ransack a convenience storewithhim? She could’ve signaled to the clerk that she needed help. She could’ve grabbed the food and run a different way. If she wasn’t tied down, isolated, or being controlled by him, why runwithhim? And when she was free of him—which she was the night Barbara ran her down—why not call home and have Darcy help her? Why not call the cops?”
“I don’t?—”
“People who are missing andwantto go home make themselves known. They do what they can to look at security cameras. Trigger the facial recognition software. They leave a trail of breadcrumbs for the authorities to find. Which is why, typically, abductors will take their victims somewhere secluded and keep them locked up. Why does it feel like Rosewasn’thiding from Liam?”
“Well… I…” I frown. “Fuck. I don’t know! Who was she hiding from, then?”
“The cops?” He shrugs. “The whole world, maybe.”
ROUND FIFTY-THREE
ROSE
I slide out of Darcy’s car after dinner, careful to ignore his extended hand, but without being too obvious about it. Because his offer is gentlemanly. And my refusal is bordering on rude.
But I just… I don’t want to hold his hand. It’s as simple as that.
I rub my arms to battle the goosebumps smattering across my skin, and I look toward Ollie’s house, the soft light burning in the windows. The flicker of a television from inside, promising that when I get in there, it’ll be warm and welcoming.
“I’m sorry if it felt like I was interrogating you tonight.” I start across the lawn,my fiancéwalking beside me all the way to the porch steps. “My brain’s bursting with questions I want to ask, and every time I get an answer, that only leads to another question. It’s a lot to fit in to one evening.”
“It’s no problem at all.” He places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me up the steps and across the wooden porch. “I didn’t come to Plainview expecting a quick fix, and even if I wished for it, I’m realistic enough to know my presence alone isn’t likely to instigate a romantic declaration and a sudden restitution of your memories. It would’ve been cool,” he chuckles, coming to a stop at the door and turning to face me. “Like in the classic love stories, where love conquers all. If seeing me helped you remember, then I would’ve been honored and thrilled.” Determined, he takes my hand, sandwiching it between his palms. “But since it didn’t, I vow to keep coming back, day after day. If you allow it, I’ll be here for you. I’ll answer every question, and if this is our reality forever, ifyour history is lost to the deep, dark recesses of your mind, then I’ll do what I did the first time. I’ll date you. I’ll convince you to love me how I love you, and someday, I’ll ask you to marry me. Again.” He folds a little closer, lowering until his eyes are level with mine. “I’m not afraid of this, Rose. From the first time I saw you, I knew we were meant for each other.”
Releasing a soft, nervous exhale, he inches forward with puckered lips and a clear target.
He’s going to kiss me. Oh, God! He wants to kiss me.
I turn and present my cheek, taking a step back to keep the contact of his lips on my skin as brief as possible. Then I startle as Ollie swings the front door open and fills the doorway with his broad body.
“You’re back.” He thrusts Poppy into my arms, forcing me to catch her or risk dropping her to the porch, then he grabs my biceps and tugs me his way. Smiling, he brings not-very-friendly eyes to Darcy. “I worried you’d driven off with her.”
Darcy chuckles, uneasy and fake as hell. Scratching the back of his neck, he looks at the cat. At me. At Ollie. Stepping back, he approaches the very edge of the porch and sets his hand on the railing. “I had a good time, Rose. Thank you for coming out.” He dips his chin at Ollie. “Thanks for giving her medical clearance for the evening, Doctor Darling.”
“No problem.” He hooks his finger in the back of my jeans, pulling just hard enough to tell me he’s not letting go. “See you around, Bisek.”
“I’ll come back at eleven tomorrow, okay, Rose?” His eyes shimmer with pain. With a little embarrassment. With rejection, because I’m not ready to be the woman he thinks I’m supposed to be. “Hopefully the weather is nice.”
“Okay.” I drag my bottom lip between my teeth and nod. “I’ll see you then.”
I remain exactly where I am, warmth radiating off Ollie’s broad chest and pulsing against my back, and though it feels like a lifetime, I maintain my position and watch Darcy slide into his car and back out of the driveway.
Then Ollie yanks me across the threshold and surprises a yelp from the base of my throat. Maneuvering me out of the way of the door, he slams it with a final crack and crowds me against the wall, his hand flat beside my face.
His breath feathering against my tongue.
His eyes, burning into my flesh.
He doesn’t lean into me. He doesn’t touch. He studies my lips, but he doesn’t kiss.
“I know it’s not logical.” His voice crackles and breaks, like he’s forcing every word over rough sandpaper. “I knew he’d bring you back, since… duh, kidnapping is a crime. But I was worried you were never coming home.” He draws a heady, noisy breath. Then he releases it again and searches my eyes. “You okay?”
I nod, holding sweet Poppy to my chest so her rhythmic purr becomes my touchstone.
“Did you feel unsafe?”
“No. He was a gentleman.”
