The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Author:Rachel Scott McDaniel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AllyPress
Published: 2021-10-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Rhett had been Kate’s first kiss.

And she hadn’t remembered.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his mind spinning faster than the tires beneath them. All morning he’d been primed to tell her about the kiss they’d shared, but when she’d opened his bedroom door and lunged into his arms, his well-crafted plans had melted in the moment. Her body had trembled against his as hot tears soaked his shirt, kindling an affection he’d never experienced before. What had crowned it all was the admiration shining in her glossy eyes—the gold flecks brightening against the rich brown. She’d gazed at him as if he’d been her hero. A man could get used to that.

Might as well relish the feeling while it lasted.

Soon he’d tell her she’d wasted her first kiss on him. With Rhett’s sordid past with women, she wouldn’t believe she’d been the one who’d initiated the lip-locking. Maybe he should lie and take full blame.

He stole a glance at Kate sitting beside him, his side humming from the warmth of her closeness. Her pale skin contrasted the crimson dress, but her blanched complexion didn’t give him pause as much as her silence. She’d been quiet since they’d left his parents’ house. Though not surprising, considering what she’d been through over the past fifteen hours.

“Where are we, exactly?” Kate’s gaze skimmed the surroundings. “I’ve never seen this area.”

He glanced in the rearview mirror. A steady stream of cars piled behind them. On Saturday, traveling into Pittsburgh was always headache-inducing traffic. More so today with the recent cable car strike. “We just left Brookline.”

Her eyes widened. “On the other side of the river?”

“Yes.”

Her shoulders spiked so high she could wear them for earrings.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not used to being in this part of town.” She twisted in her seat and practically glued her forehead to the window.

Was she afraid of the area? His parents had chosen this location because of the nice distance from the chaos of the city. Brookline was safe and sought out real estate. “I’m not sure I understand—”

“The Liberty Tunnels.” The words clipped even as the dual tubes approached. “Please turn around. Go a different way.”

He couldn’t.

The congestion had them sandwiched between cars. There wasn’t a place for him to pull over. Kate must’ve realized that, too, because she slammed her eyes shut as if accepting her doom.

She’d mentioned before she didn’t like tight spaces. Why hadn’t he thought about the recently opened tunnels? They were the longest ones in the entire city, no less.

“I’m sorry, Kate.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. Her skin felt like ice.

Eyelids cracking open, she twisted toward him and gave a lousy version of a smile. “I’ll be okay. You took me to your home last night, and I made it through those tunnels, right? I didn’t die. Nothing caved in on me.”

Her rambling made his brow wrinkle with worry, and an unfamiliar lilt infused her words. A definite accent. But before he could contemplate further, her fists clenched in her lap, her usually delicate jaw rigid like stone.

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