Page 20 of Condemned By Betrayal
Whatever her reason, her dog refuses to cooperate. He moves to my side, forcing us together again.I like this dog.
“Where is your house?” she asks me. Now that she’s close, she speaks in a low voice that feels intimate. I want to hear this voice with even less distance between us, I can imagine how it would sound in soothing whispers.
“The one beside yours,” I answer.
She looks up at me, almost surprised. “I didn’t know we were neighbors.”
I stare at her, saying nothing. She holds my gaze for a few seconds, then looks away, a small frown forming between her brows.
I like to think I’m affecting her, even if it’s only discomfort. Indifference would be a problem. Any reaction—good or bad—is perfect.
We reach the house in a few minutes. Logan opens the gate and stands in front of her with a genuine smile. “If you don’t mind, can we invite you for a housewarming party tomorrow at six p.m.?”
She smiles back. It’s her professional smile, the one she pulls off everywhere.
“Why not?”
Logan grins. “You’re the only person we know here. It would be great if you’d come and help us meet more people from the neighborhood.”
She nods. “I’ll definitely come.”
She then looks at me. “You go inside. I’ll take them back.”
I nod and do as she says. As I turn to watch her one last time, Logan pushes me inside and closes the gate, calling out a goodbye and a see you tomorrow.
As the gate slides closed, he turns to me. “You have no idea, you looked like a total creep the whole time, staring at her like that.”
We walk toward the house.
“She was so uncomfortable. I wouldn’t be surprised if she never wants to come near you again.” He grunts, punching the code into the front door’s lock screen.
“She’ll come back,” I state, stepping inside as the door opens. He follows, closing the door behind him.
“Because she thinks we’ll help her find that dude.” He flops onto the couch, throwing his shoes off with his toes.
“When I first met her, I thought she was a sweet girl in love with some good man. Now I don’t understand her any better than I understand her man. She falls for the guy who kidnapped her, even though he’s a crazy, sick bastard who burned a city for God knows what reason? Shit—I forgot to ask her that.”
He runs his hand through his hair.
“And the guy then attempted to murder her uncle, and not only that, he attempted suicide right after. A mental asylum is the only place suitable for him. I think we start searching there. Maybe her family had him admitted to one, I would’ve done the same if my daughter had fallen for a crazy asshole.”
He sighs like an old man, shaking his head. “Kids these days, falling for just anyone.”
When I don’t reply to his nonsense, he raises a brow. “What? Say something. He’s your love rival.”
“That’s if he’s alive.”
“Bro, that guy is plenty alive in that girl’s heart.” He clicks his tongue. “Never underestimate a young woman’s love. Even if he’s dead, it’ll take you forever to win her over.” He grins. “But don’t worry, your brother’s got you.”
“Is that why you made that housewarming party plan out of nowhere?”
“Yes. You do nothing except be a creep, so someone has to do something.”
Chapter 9
Elowen
Bruno tugs at the leash, and I know who’s here.
