Problem Child (A Jane Doe Thriller) by Victoria Helen Stone

Author:Victoria Helen Stone [Stone, Victoria Helen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-03-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

“I’d better turn in,” I say in a too loud voice. “That’s my limit of tequila.”

Both Derrick and I stand, and I say goodbye to him before waving to the other men. I hear a couple of groans as I turn to leave, followed by a whispered “Jesus Christ, Derrick.” They can’t believe he’s letting a desperate drunk lady walk away unmolested.

I wait next to my car and check my messages. Still nothing from Brodie. I’ll drop by his house again tomorrow and knock together a few of his friends’ heads. Or I’ll bring a case of beer. Whichever.

I do find a text from Luke, however. He’s meeting a friend for a drink and then heading to his brother’s house for dinner. That’s the life he wants. Secure and cozy and warm. I hate that. Hate the idea of relaxing into life and waiting for death, like a big dumb cow who doesn’t know about the slaughterhouse waiting just over the hill.

But what do I want? This? Right now I’m exhilarated. Excited. I can’t wait for Derrick to walk out and whisk me away on an adventure. Anything could happen, and I’m ready for it all.

I’m not physically attracted to Derrick, but I want danger. I want power. Should I risk what I have with Luke for this moment? I don’t have a conscience, but I definitely have a good sense of self-preservation.

I don’t know what I’m doing in this relationship with Luke, and uncertainty is not a feeling I’m accustomed to or appreciate. Damn it.

Derrick finally emerges from the lounge. He looks around nervously, and when he spots me, he jerks back a little, surprised I actually waited. After waving me toward him, he makes a ninety-degree turn and heads toward one of the white pickup trucks decked out in “Oversize Load” signs. I stride fast and strong. The sun is still out, but it’s dipping toward the horizon, and I want to see everything before it gets dark.

“Yay!” I say as I hop into the passenger side of his truck.

“You can’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t. I swear. You don’t think they saw you?”

“If they did, I don’t think they’ll imagine I’m taking you to see a turbine.”

“No?” I ask cluelessly.

“No.”

He starts the big truck with a rumble, and I turn up the country music that’s already playing. I don’t know this song, and it sounds like filtered shit, but the noise makes me feel like I’m at a party. “Are you excited?” I ask.

Now that we’re alone and pulling away in the truck, his shoulders are relaxing from their brief foray into aggressiveness. “I am. Mind if I smoke?”

I wave an accepting hand, and he lights up a Camel. After his first couple of puffs, I reach out and snag it from him. Then I twist and rest my back against the truck door so I can face him as I take a long drag and watch him drive. He can’t help but glance down toward my spread legs when I rest a knee against the back of my seat.

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