Page 96 of The Quiet Witness

Sparing Kate’s life, it didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy a kill anymore. And this one, even though the method made his throat pinch together. It would feel good to remove this blemish from the face of the Earth.

Lucien hopped off the table. “I will. Soon.”

Chapter 39

Hitting the Road

Two pink packages sat on the kitchen island. Kate tiptoed over, a frown on her face as she squinted in the darkness.

Ouch! Goddammit. She held her stubbed toe in hand, sucking in the string of curses that wanted to escape.

Ever since Lucien had complained of stabbing headaches, the curtains had been drawn shut. It didn’t really answer why they were kept closed in the evenings as well though.

Kate drew in a breath. If she wasn’t going to see the morning light, the stars, or better yet, go for a walk in the forest.

She would start screaming. Soon.

“I thought you’d be happy with the supplies.”

Kate whirled around to face Lucien with a pink package still stuck to her hand. She grinned sheepishly. “I am, indeed.” She leaned against the counter, taking the weight off of her injured little toe. “Counting the days, are we?”

He held up his phone. “Timer screamed at me just yesterday.”

She laughed, peeking at the pads. “Cotton. Got any experience with these things? Since you went for the softest sort?”

Lucien snorted. “No, doesn’t take a genius though.”

“How considerate of you.” She shot him a wink. “And… I’ll take your word for it.”

“Hallelujah.” He strode past her to click on the kettle, wearing his signature black pants and a… white t-shirt?

Coffee, here we come. She pointed him up and down. “Coffee must be urgent. I think you grabbed the wrong shirt.”

“Check yourself out, sweetheart, for I must have been rubbing off on you.” He turned, nose up high in the air as he regarded her there, leaning on the couch in all black training gear. “Black does suit you.”

True, it did. She’d discovered advantages to black. For example, blood wasn’t as obvious, and getting dragged over the floor didn’t leave behind ugly smears.

Lucien passed her the steaming, painted cucumber mug, watching as a small smile skipped over her lips. She clenched it between her hands, breathing in the calming scent of the roasted beans.

Red was out of the question.

“Are we going to visit Isabel today?” She’d only been there twice before, the first time Isabel had been knocked out by the surgery, and hadn’t woken up from Kate clenching onto her hand. The second time she hadn’t been able to talk, nothing but a small smile and a tiny tear slipping past as she’d laid eyes on Kate. Gratefulness lining them. Whether deserved or not, it had eased a bit of the strain on her heart.

“I was thinking of going on a little road trip.”

She perked up. “A road trip? As in with two people in a car.” She pointed between them. “You and me, off to?”

“Yes, and yes. It’s still within Montana borders. I’ve got a chalet, it’s up in the mountains. Perfect for stargazing.”

Reader of minds, alright.

He jerked his chin to the period pads. “Just be sure not to forget the most important of your supplies. You tend to get… irritated.”

She huffed. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

***

Kate turned up the volume on the “New Radicals’ song, You Get What You Give.”