Page 11 of The Monster’s Weakness

“You look amazing,” he said, running the backs of his fingers along the sheer layer by her shoulder. The touch felt sizzling. He stood there staring at her for the longest time, and for a minute she thought he was going to kiss her—but he didn’t. “I hope you’re hungry.”

He held the passenger door open for her, and she got into his car. It was all leather inside and smelled like his rich cologne. It was a lot nicer than her little car parked in the back alley behind the apartment building.

Part of her wanted to back out right now. But she pushed her nerves down and focused on her breathing. Once he got into the car, he felt larger than life, his big body filling up the space. She noticed the expensive-looking watch on his wrist as he turned on the radio.

Low music helped kill some of the awkwardness she felt. But it quickly cut to the news report. Of course, it was about the Pembroke scandal again. She groaned. This new story just wouldn’t die, and she wanted to forget it completely.

“That’s where you used to work, right?” he asked. “Pembroke Pharmaceuticals.”

She couldn’t remember telling him the name of the company, but they’d talked for hours that first night and a lot since. “Yeah, there’s actually quite the story around that.”

“Oh?”

Gemma bit her lip. It wasn’t something she went around talking about, although witnessing a major murder was a pretty big deal.

“Well, there was a takeover bid after Pembroke was murdered.”

“Yeah, that’s how you lost your job,” he said.

She nodded. “Yes, but the actual murder ... I witnessed it.”

He raised one eyebrow, then pulled the car out onto the road. “That must have been scary for you.”

She thought he’d be more surprised.

“It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced. I thought I was going to die.”

“Did the killer see you?” he asked.

She swallowed hard remembering the murderer who’d let her live. He hadn’t been caught and it still crossed her mind sometimes when it was dark out and she hadn’t pulled her curtains closed. The nightmares stopped after the first few weeks.

“Yes,” she said. “Well, not his face. He had a mask on. But I saw the whole thing.”

“Interesting. I wonder why he didn’t kill you, too.”

So, she wasn’t the only one with that thought.

“Don’t remind me. I’m still afraid he’ll try to find me and finish what he started.”

“But you’re not Pembroke. You don’t try to get rich ripping off people struggling to afford medical. You’re innocent, Gemma.”

Once again, she felt that invisible pull linking her to this man. He made her feel heard and special. She really wanted things to work between them.

There were still some things she wouldn’t dare share with him, unless she wanted to throw a potential relationship in the trash. Besides her MS diagnosis, she was holding onto the guilt of taking on Pembroke at gunpoint. It’s the only reason she was there to witness the murder. Even though she hadn’t done anything, she’d still be in prison if the truth came out. She was sure Caleb wouldn’t want to date a criminal.

“I wonder who hired the hit man to kill him,” she said.

He turned his head in her direction while driving. “How do you know it was a hit man?”

“It was obvious. He was professional and knew exactly what he was doing. It was a job and nothing more. If it was a customer, it would have been personal, emotional.”

They pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant on a hill. She’d never driven out this way or even known this place existed. Not that she’d be able to afford to eat here. Caleb’s contract business must be booming. He parked in front and came around to her door and opened it. As she got out, he took her hand, then tossed the keys to a valet standing close by.

The place was lively and glittery. It was like being on the set of a movie. People were standing in the lobby with champagne in hand, talking and laughing. Live piano music came from deeper in the restaurant. She held onto Caleb’s hand like an anchor. After passing many other women, she felt underdressed.

They got to the hostess desk and he told them his name, Caleb Reyes. The woman immediately escorted them to a table by the glass wall with a beautiful view of the park. The sun was setting, and the lighting in the restaurant was dim. It was a two-person table, and they sat facing each other. Before they even settled, someone was pouring water into their glasses and lighting the candle.

“This place is too much, Caleb.”