Page 80 of One Forbidden Moment

While Moe was a big man, he couldn't hide her from everyone.If she hid from Vaughn, Boone could still see her as he paced in tight circles, muttering to himself.

The usually calm, quiet man seemed jittery.She was used to seeing him mowing the grass in front of the courthouse, but now his mannerisms reminded her of the homeless people who lived on Fifty-Second and Belview Street.

Nolan stood stiffly with his hands clasped, whispering prayers that sounded fractured and uncertain.She felt a pang of sadness at the desperation in his voice.

"Moe, look at Nolan."She leaned against his back."He's scared."

"Nah."Moe looked over his shoulder at her."He's a fucking priest.Nothing scares him."

Her jaw fell open in surprise, and she closed her mouth.For some reason, having a priest nearby made her feel better.Then, she remembered that all the men in Everstill were dangerous men with a criminal background.

Moe shifted.She peeked around his arm.

Rex towered over the others.His massive frame braced for trouble.There was a man named Tim who worked at the nursing home and was six feet four inches tall.Rex was even bigger than Tim.

Levi hovered at the edge of the group.His long hair hid his face, but his hands were constantly moving.

Boone's voice thundered through the air as he shouted, "If we go together, we'll all get out alive!"

The tension thickened around her like fog, pressing against her ribs and back.

"If anyone leaves before me, I'll kill them."Mace crossed his arms."Then I'll go after whatever it was that put me here."

Rex growled, "I don't see what the big fucking deal is.At least in Everstill we have a house, food, and nobody is trying to kill us."

"We remember our past now," Brent said.

Rex snorted."Some things are better left behind."

"I don't like it.I don't like any of it," whispered Levi.

Her throat closed at the fear in his tone.She whispered, "Neither do I."

Vaughn's gaze snapped to her with a sudden intensity that made her breath catch.The weight of his attention settled on her like a claim she didn't want.

She whispered, "Moe...we should go to the house."

Rex shoved Vaughn hard and shouted, "Stop staring at her!"

The outburst rippled through her body.She gasped, hugging Moe's arm.

Rex swung his arm, but Vaughn ducked.His fist slammed into the courthouse pillar, cracking the stone.She held her breath, afraid they'd all turn on her.

Boone grabbed the front of Rex's shirt."Calm down."

Nolan placed a hand on his chest, his fingers searching for something that wasn't there."Stop it.This isn't how we're supposed to behave.You're all losing control."

Levi suddenly screamed, his voice high and sharp as he bolted toward the water tower.She covered her ears.Until now, she hadn't noticed the sky darkening.

The entire group turned toward Levi, their attention snapping away from her like a rope pulled taut.She glanced around, not understanding what was going on or why Moe's grip on her hand tightened enough to make her whimper.

Vaughn's eyes returned to her even as the others watched Levi, his expression unreadable and unsettling.Her skin prickled under the intensity of his stare.

She whispered, "Moe...please.Let's leave."

Moe moved, discovering what drove the fear straight through her heart.The heat of his anger radiated off him, filling the space between them.

She hooked his arm and whispered, "Don't"