Erotic Deception Read Online Free PDF Page A

there tomorrow afternoon where we’ll have a little conversation and I’ll decide then what I’m going to do with you.” She started to interrupt, but he held up a hand. “I’ll also wait until then to file any reports.” Then that mean voice returned. “But I warn you, if you try to leave beforehand, things will not go well for you. Do you understand?”
    Relief vied with confusion, but exhaustion overcame all else and Lily gave into relief at the extra day to figure out another plan. She had no idea why he was giving her a reprieve and she didn’t want to ask in case he changed his mind. A day wasn't much, but she'd take it.
    “You're not staying?” Mark asked.
    The sheriff’s curt tone intruded into his deputy’s inquiry, again giving Lily no time to answer.
    “After you've taken Dr. Delaney to her destination, you’ll need to come back here.”
    Then the sheriff abruptly turned away and began taking pictures of Lily's car. She noticed that he only used one hand to work the camera. Even though it was small, it still looked like it took some effort.. Soon he was back and in a more agreeable tone, expanding on his previous instruction to his deputy.
    “I'd rather not have to ride with Walter to the body shop so don't linger or take any side trips. I don’t think she’ll have any trouble driving her car, but keep an eye on it just in case.”
    Lily compressed her lips as he walked away favoring one leg. In the midst of frustration, irritation, gratitude, and confusion, she’d set aside his injuries.
    “Do you think he’s okay?” she asked Mark.
    “Don’t worry, he’s tough.” Mark reassured. “Tell me where we’re going and you can follow me.”
    Following behind the Blazer, Lily blew out a breath. She’d have to get her car fixed, but her brain was too tired to think about where. Nevertheless, compared to what it could’ve been, the damage was relatively minor. She also hated to admit the man she’d been sparring with had not only minimized the impact of the crash, he’d most likely saved her life. Temporarily anyway.
    It only took a short time to reach the lake-house and Lily exited the car just as the deputy was stepping out of the Blazer.
    “Do you need help with your luggage?”
    The courteous gesture was genuine, but it was obvious the other man was anxious to get back to his boss. She was on the verge of declining the invitation when a sign posting at the edge of the driveway caught her attention. Her gaze shot to the deputy.
    “What’s that sign marking for?”
    Confusion knitted the deputy’s brows before alighting on the object she was pointing to.
    “It’s a lot number. Each of the lake-homes has one.” He shrugged. “Yours is thirty-seven.”
    Thirty-seven.
    For a moment, Lily couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t remember Jerry mentioning this particular coincidence to her. Their mother had been thirty-seven when she died. Throughout the years, that same number had appeared many, many times around Jerry to the point of him feeling haunted by it. He’d even frequented a bar where the drink special was a thirty-seven ounce beer as opposed to a typical thirty-two ounce. The occurrence caused Jerry to begin believing it represented some type of meaning.
    Shivers sashayed up and down Lily’s spine as she realized Jerry had died three days after his thirty-seventh birthday.
    * * * *
    Mark’s return with the Blazer was perfect timing to Walter and Mike’s loading the car onto the wrecker. Walter gave Jet a thumbs-up as he and his son drove off.
    Mark’s lips tightened as he looked at Jet’s gray face. “I’ll drive. First stop, hospital.”
    Jet wearily nodded, suppressing a groan as he climbed into the passenger side. He leaned his head against the seat back. Without the focus of the job, the throbbing from his injuries returned along with thoughts of his newest resident.
    He might just as well have rolled over and asked her to scratch his belly.
    She’d endangered lives,