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the street on his rounds paused, hearing the low growl of fury that rumbled from
    the throat of the dark-haired man standing under the awning of Summerton’s pharmacy. As the man’s
    cold, savage stare slid toward him, the mailman moved quickly on, a faint trace of fear crinkling along his
    spine.
    “I saw her on the phone last evening when I passed the store,” Karla reported. “I’ll just bet you she was
    trying to find out his phone number so she could call him.”
    “And I bet she did call him,” Beth put in. “If you ask me, the woman’s nothing more than a closet slut!”
    With a hiss of rage, he pushed away from the wall and started across the street. His eyes were
    glowing embers of lethal intent and his jaw was set and thrust forward with purpose as he ground
    his teeth together. He barely heard the horn that blew at him as he crossed the middle of the
    street. His gaze was locked on the book store and the three women inside.
    “Mr. Cree?”
    He turned, surprised to hear his name called and saw the Realtor who had sold him his house hurrying
    toward him. He cursed beneath his breath, let his jaw relax and forced the anger from his face.
    “I thought that was you!” Allan Turnbridge laughed as he thrust out his hand. “I was just about to come
    out to see you.”
    He took the man’s proffered hand, hating the feel of it in his own, letting it go as quickly as manners
    would allow. “Is something the matter?” he asked. “I was under the impression the papers were all in
    order.”
    “Oh, it wasn’t anything about the house!” Allen assured him. “I was just coming out to see if you were
    settling in and to invite you to a little dinner party I’m giving. Being new in town, it would be a chance for
    you to meet the town’s folks.”
    “I don’t usually—”
    “Of course you may bring a date, if you like,” Allen injected, seeing the way his companion’s dark gaze
    darted to the bookshop as Beth Janacek came out the door. “Have you met Beth?” he asked, and
    before he could get an answer, he called the young woman over. “Beth? Come here, darling! I’ve got
    someone I’d like you to meet.”
    If he had had a dagger in his hand, he would have gladly plunged it into the Realtor’s throat, but instead,
    he stood there as the introductions were made and the simpering bitch reached out a hand to him. He had
    no choice but to take her hand in his. A strong wave of revulsion ran down through his arm and he felt
    sick to his stomach as she smiled at him.
    “Mr. Cree was in the shop just yesterday, weren’t you? Did you find everything you needed?” Beth
    cooed at him.
    “Yes,” he answered, a muscle working in his lean jaw. He had a strong urge to wipe his hand on his
    trousers. The smell of her flesh was sickening.
    “I’ve just invited Mr. Cree to a party Olivia and I are giving tomorrow evening. If you’ve got nothing
    planned, maybe you’d like to come, too, Beth.” The Realtor beamed, proud of his ploy as he looked
    from one of them to the other.
    “I’d love to!” she agreed. “It might be a little hard finding a date on such short notice, but...” Her coy
    smile lifted to the dark man beside her.
    “Oh, you aren’t ever without an escort!” Allen laughed. He nudged his companion with a skinny elbow.
    “Beth was Miss Milton, weren’t you, darling?”
    “That was a long time ago, Allen!” The woman giggled.
    He opened his mouth to decline the invitation, but at that moment, he became aware of Lauren Fowler
    coming out of the sandwich shop behind him. He half-turned, his full attention on her. The scent of her
    filled his nostrils and he breathed deeply.
    “Oh, please say you’ll come, too, Mr. Cree,” he heard the blond woman simpering. “I’m sure everyone
    is just dying to meet you.”
    Syntian saw the Realtor glance at Lauren, frown then look at the blond. Something mean passed
    between them in that look and he felt a resurgence of his anger. “I would be