Chapter 7

Killian Savage

I lean against the wall of one of the many buildings downtown that have long since closed their business. This particular building has a ‘for sale' sign on it, bright red and right in my face. The sun glares off of it. However, I ignore it in favor of a different view.

My gaze doesn't leave Tori. I hadn't followed her. It was a coincidence that she showed up downtown in her borrowed and loud Chevelle at the same time that I arrived here. I watch as she parks the car and gathers her purse from the passenger side.

It's been two days since I arrived in Fairview. I've come and gone from the B&B as I pleased, but sometimes, at night, I can tell she's watching me. Someone like me grows a sixth sense to things like that, knowing when they're being watched. Truth be told, the blinds overlooking the driveway sometimes move as I stride up the gravel.

She's curious about me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about her too, more so as to why she's not afraid of me. The way she gave me back my ID was interesting though. Instead of waiting to pass it to me in person, she stuck it in the crack of the B&B's front door.

I shift a little, placing my balance on one foot before moving to the other. She could have easily gone inside and searched my belongings to appease her curiosity. It's not like she would have found much besides stuff that would bring about more questions – the picture, for example. The fact that she didn't, tells me I might be a little wrong about her. She's untrusting, that much is blatantly obvious, but not so much so that she'd invade someone's immediate privacy. Especially someone like me, who refused to give her any of the answers she sought.

She's parked in front of the donut shop, and I can smell the fried dough from here. I tried one yesterday when the place wasn't as packed as it is now. I've never been one for crowds, so when I saw that it was empty, I went in to appease my stomach from the aroma that slithers through the entire downtown atmosphere.

With her purse slid over her shoulder, she gets out of the car. The door squeals as it opens, and her floral dress pools around her ankles when her flip-flops are on firm ground.

My gaze doesn't move from her when a beat-up truck pulls up and parks beside her car. Only when she turns a smile in their direction do I look and see who the newcomers are.

A blonde woman hops out of the passenger side before the driver shuts off the truck. She has blonde hair, just like Tori's, and is a little thicker around the waist than Tori as well. But even I know what I see: the rosy cheeks and that glow the skin gives off. The slight swell above the pubic bone. The exhausted under eyes from restless nights of worrying.

I remember the first signs of pregnancy well.

I cross my arms over my chest as the driver climbs out of his seat and shuts the door behind him. For a moment, our eyes meet. Even from where I stand, I can see Cole's jaw flex. I knew he didn't like me the moment I met him in the thrift store, but I hadn't expected him to remember me after the moment I left.

The blonde woman says something to him, causing him to look at her for a split second and nod. His eyes return to mine, however, and I don't back down from his challenging stare. There's an air about the way he tenses his features that's telling of the man beneath. Just like at the thrift store, I recognize it because darkness knows darkness.

Cole says something to the women, and they link arms and head inside the donut shop. Once they're inside, Cole strides my way.

I don't move as he crosses the street with purposeful steps, gaze locked on mine. I won't give him the satisfaction of thinking he has rattled me by his approach because, honestly, I've met worse. Not a whole lot scares me these days.

He stops just before me and matches my stance with his arms crossing over his chest. "Cole," I greet gruffly.

He makes a grunting sound at the back of his throat. "What are you doing here, Killian?"

I raise an eyebrow because where I'm at and why I'm there is none of his damn business. "Going for a stroll."

His eyes narrow a little. "Looked to me like you were watching Tori."

My shrug is nonchalant. "And what if I was?"

Cole's jaw flexes, and it ripples his cheeks. "I don't know why you're in town, but I recommend that you don't stay long."

"And why is that?"

"Things just started turning around here," he divulges in a tense sort of way. "And if you have an interest in Tori, leave it be."

"Why is Tori any of your concern?" I ask, pushing off the wall and pocketing my hands into my jeans.

"She's my wife's friend. That makes her my concern."

"Touching," I mumble, gaze swiveling to the shop's windows. I vaguely see Tori inside, taking a seat at a table with Cole's wife. She's chatting with her, and a faint smile ghosts her lips. It's then that I realize that I've never seen a true smile from her. It's almost like it can never reach her eyes, as though something troubles her to keep her from doing so. From experience, I recognize that too.

"The last guy she dated stole her identity," he nearly growls at my brush-off. "You look like you'd do worse."

His words echo my thoughts. I turn my attention back to him, eyebrows raised. "It's not any of your damn business, but I'm not interested in a relationship."

"Good," he grunts. "Then stay away from her."

I cock my head to the side. "Are you trying to protect Tori from me? Or your wife from me?"

There's that jaw flex again, but he says nothing. Probably because it's both.

"How far along is she?" I ask threateningly. I don't like that he approached me, and I definitely don't like that he thinks he can order me around. I'd never hurt a pregnant woman, but he doesn't have to know that.

"Leave her out of this."

I raise both hands. "Then leave me out of it."

"How could you possibly know that she's pregnant? She hasn't told anyone. "

Sighing, I tip my head toward the shop's window where both women still sit. "Just because I'm alone now doesn't mean I was alone before. "

And with that, I step away from Cole and begin to walk away. I have no interest in an extended argument for something that'll never happen between Tori and myself. I may be attracted to her, but I didn't come here to look for a piece of ass. It would just complicate things when I drifted off and disappeared without a backward glance.

I pause in my stride as Cole says to my back, "Killian?" I turn my head. "Don't stay here for long. I meant what I said."

There was no threat or warning in his tone. I don't know if what I said touched something inside him that broke through that outer protective shell he wears, but that part had faded from his tone. So, instead of challenging him, I give a curt nod because, if roles were reversed, I wouldn't want someone like me near my wife either.

I don't take it for granted because, if Cole knew exactly who I am and what I've done, he would have escorted me out by now. What I'd done cost me everything I had. He'd fear for what he has in return just by my mere presence in this small, sleepy town. And if he knew why I'm drifting, if he knew what I had planned once I found the man who wronged me, who stole my life from me, he wouldn't be so sympathetic.

Something tells me he'd go beyond the law to make sure I never came back here. Maybe even make sure I disappeared for good.

That should scare me, but it doesn't.

He says nothing more, so I step forward, glancing only once at the donut shop's window and waiting for my demons to rise within at the mere thought of my past and the woman who reminds me of it.