See Through Me (Lose My Senses) (24 page)

The marshal patted me awkwardly on the shoulder, a weak show of empathy. I stiffened and huddled closer to Ash. The tension in Ash’s body was evident as he laid an arm across my shoulders. The bald guy gently pulled my bag off my arm, taking away my lifeline. My ID, money, truck keys. And I didn’t stop him because I knew I’d lost. I couldn’t bluff or lie my way out of this. They’d trapped me. My worst nightmare come true. 

“We know this is a big shock
, but you’ll be safe with us,” the woman said.

Because they had badges and guns? How did that translate into safe?
Based on the stark fear flooding my veins, it seemed pretty terrifying to me.

“You’re going to come back in a couple of days.” Ash suddenly snatched me up in a hug. “You heard them, they said this is just a temporary thing. I’ll be waiting here for you until you get back.”

He sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince me.

My knees weakened and I sagged against his chest. “But what if it isn’t a few days?”

“The world can’t be that fucking unfair.” He smoothed a shaking hand over my hair. “I promise you, we can figure this out. But right now you need to go with them. Whatever is going on with your dad has to be serious, Katie. They wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”

A second passed and then the bald guy cleared his throat. Why couldn’t they give us more time? We needed so much more time than this.
Someone took me by the arm as Ash released. All my protests died in my throat as they led me to one of the waiting vehicles. With each step, my fears built up higher and higher to a screaming crescendo.

No one was acting like this was a temporary. If the threat was bad enough for them to follow us in the middle of the night, it wasn’t going
to be over in a few days. It may never be over, and this would be my life. Running and hiding. Always lying. What was the point of planning for a future when it was going to be constantly derailed when I least expected it?

The bald guy had disappeared with a slamming of a car door. He pulled the first SUV around and waited next to the second one. The woman held the passenger door open with that damn
compassionate smile of hers. She had to be faking it. I was part of the job, someone else’s problem to solve.

Before climbing in, I glanced over my shoulder at Ash for the last time. In the fluorescent light of the doorway, he rubbed the back of his neck, rocking back on his heels. He wouldn’t—he couldn’t look my way. His distress was palpable from the distance separating us, and there was nothing I could do about it. The same way there was nothing he could do for me.  

A sense of irrational betrayal sliced through my chest. He’d lied to me. He’d said he would never let me go again, and that’s what he just did. Maybe that’s why I loved him so much. A liar could only love another liar.

 

About the Author

 

When I
’m not plotting elaborate world-dominating schemes in my head, I’m having a fabulous time with my own story of a life. Three amazing kids, two useless but fluffy cats, and one so very patient husband help keep me grounded every day. We currently live in the mountains of the West Virginia.

An avid reader of all genres, I shamelessly admit romance will always be my favorite. And while I enjoy the safe and familiar, I'm always up for an adventure
. Want to come along?

I had a great time writing this book, and can’t wait to share the next one with you!
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