A Keeper's Truth by Dee Willson

Author:Dee Willson [Dee Willson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Driven Press
Published: 2016-04-01T07:00:00+00:00

Insanity

The clock ticks while I make my way around the room, chatting with friends. Bryce is nowhere within sight and Thomas, I assume, has left. To dilute outrage over my confrontation with Thomas, I’ve downed another three martinis and am on the verge of making a beeline to the bar for another when a set of large hands casually rest on my hips.

“Hey you,” Bryce whispers.

His breath warms my ear.

“Hey you back.”

I lean into him, feeling his muscles through my dress. He smells amazing.

All my thoughts, all my worries, even the curiosities I’d been pondering evaporate to nothing of consequence. The air between us thins until all that is left is an energy snapping from his body to mine, releasing gravity’s hold.

Something has changed; something about Bryce is different. He always stays an appropriate, almost careful distance from me in public and his hands are usually behind his back or in his pockets. And what would have been a simple touch with little meaning had it come and gone in a fleeting moment, instead lingers until it feels like much more.

Still, I don’t move and neither does he. Lost in this connection I forget about time, place, about the circle of people around us.

A familiar voice pierces our bubble and we both jump.

“Most murders are committed by someone the victim knows, someone close,” says Thomas, glaring over my shoulder at Bryce. “I heard you were close with Sonia MacKinnen.”

Bryce clears his throat, removing his hands from my hips. “You are not helping your case, Thomas.”

“You attract trouble. Had you stayed away—from Sonia that is—trouble wouldn’t have come to this small town.”

The crowd’s gaze darts from Bryce to Thomas, surprised by the sudden friction. Some realize this isn’t heading anywhere good and slink away in search of a less hostile environment. Curiosity gets the better of the few remaining and they hover to watch the show.

“I met Sonia once,” says Bryce. “I was at the restaurant where she worked. I was—”

“Picking her up. Typical Bryce style, of course. You have a way with the ladies. She went home with you, right? And then what?”

What the hell?

“Suggesting Bryce was involved in Sonia’s murder is pretty dark, Thomas,” I say.

“You have no idea what my brother is capable of.”

Bryce turns me, gently, drawing my attention. “Tess, Thomas knows I had nothing to do with Sonia’s death. I was at the restaurant waiting for him. I asked him to meet so we could talk, work out our differences, but he never showed. Sonia was drunk and—”

“All over you, no doubt.”

“Thomas, you shouldn’t—”

“No, Tess, you shouldn’t. You need to know what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Yes, she does,” says Bryce, calm and controlled. “I’ve been telling you that for—”

“That is not what I mean, Bryce. I don’t want that shit here.” He moves closer. “Keep your mouth shut.”

“Thomas—”

“She needs to be warned,” Thomas grumbles, a finger in Bryce’s face. “She needs to know you haven’t had a relationship outlast a season. And that you’ll crawl under another skirt the minute you’re bored.

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