Page 14 of The Quiet Witness

She set her legs in motion toward the door where he waited, dark eyes lingering on her face as he nodded and said “It’s quiet this time of year.” He graciously opened the door, gesturing for her to go inside first.

I won’t let him see the hopelessness.

So she rolled her eyes whispering. “What a true gentleman.”

He chuckled behind her as she crossed the threshold, jumping up when a bell jingled above her. “Just a bell.” Lucien… informed her.

She shot him a burning look, the hatred in it barely concealed.

He had the guts to drawl. “If only looks could kill.”

Yes. He’d be lying face-first on the ground, grasping onto his heart from where it failed.

A high pitched female voice piped up from the back of the store “Welcome!” Footsteps thumped across the dark blue carpet, heading their way. Blonde hair bobbed up and down over the iron rows of shoes before the woman called out “Hello there!” Beside her Lucien winced when a young woman no older than herself strode toward them, wearing a smile as only those in customer care had learned to carry.

Now is as good a time as any.

Kate stepped forward, mouth opening, but the girl’s eyes widened, sidestepping Kate to see who was half hidden behind her. “Oh, look who has decided to pay us a visit. Long time no see, Lucien!’’

Kate’s teeth sang in pain as she shut them with an audible click.

The girl’s eyes were almost… starstruck, her voice high as a soprano’s when she asked Lucien. “How have you been?”

Guess that answers the question of why he took me here. His faith in her smitten state is solid.

Panic crept in, stomach rolling around like a roller coaster in an amusement park. It pulled her this way and that, just when she thought it would stop and she could get out of its grip, set foot on the wooden planks after being rushed upside down, it rushed past the exit. Going for another round. Only it were her own lonely screams that echoed in the din of her ears.

Don’t rush, you’ll find a way out. You have to.

She forced her heartbeat down, chest heavy but managing a faint smile as Lucien introduced her. “Clara, this is Kate. We’re out here looking for some sportswear for her.”

Grey eyes took her in, starting at her feet to end up at her tousled hair. Oh, lord where would the girl’s thoughts be going. Covered in his clothes, his scent. Bile rose up in her throat under the scrutiny. “What better place, huh?!” Clara crooned, But the tiny glance of panic was plain to see.

Lucien was catching two birds with one stone here.

He picked up a shoe, inspecting it before saying, “She’s gonna need some if she wants to keep up with hiking. Don’t you, sweetheart?”

Sweetheart.

Warmth slid past her palm, Kate glanced down, red drops falling to the floor… She’d burst the skin with her nails. So much for going easy.

“Denise! There is someone you should come and see!” Clare called out behind her. But Kate’s ears barely registered it. She backed away from both of them, Lucien’s eyes narrowed on hers, the look in them telling her to stay put.

Adios, sweetheart.

She lifted her hand in a small wave, shooting him a smile that was anything but kind before turning to dive in between the racks of clothes and shoes that littered the shop.

His voice rumbled through the store, following in her wake. “I’ll walk with her… before she gets lost between all these quality clothes! Gotta save the wallet am I right?”

Clara’s ridiculously high cackle rang out, followed by near silent footfalls over the dark carpet.

Kate’s feed sped up, crossing into the differing departments. Green, green, every store has one. She whirled around and around, peeking over the racks to locate it while the steps behind her came closer. Gods, if this place ever went up in flames, how on Earth would someone locate the damn exit!

There! The white figure on a green board, pointing ahead of her with its luminescent arrow.

She forced her still weak legs to go faster, fingers grazing past the clothes and the racks to propel herself forward.

Lucien stood in front of her, Kate came to a skidding stop, hand flying up to her heart. He just stood with his hands hanging by his side, tilting his head at her in that predatory way of his. Wait. He wasn’t in front, she cast a glance over her shoulders, he was right behind her, it was just his reflection in the large mirror.