Page 16 of Viper

The roar of a boat traveled through the air, and she spotted the Coast Guard’s watercraft heading toward shore.

“Did they find him?” she wheezed, her chest tight.

“I’ll find out.” The officer moved onto the sandy beach, leaving them in the parking lot.

Troy studied her, his expression dark and irritated. “You look ready to drop.”

He wasn’t wrong. She was also ready to cry. Part of her prayed they’d pull Craig off the boat in cuffs. The other part was terrified to lay eyes on him again. “I just want this all over with.”

He nodded slowly. “Give me a minute.” He crossed the beach, following the footsteps of the young officer.

Paige pulled her knees close to her chest and closed her eyes. She slipped in and out of sleep, her tormented brain jerking her awake multiple times with the memory of Craig standing over her.

A warm hand touched her shoulder. Troy sat in the driver’s seat. She hadn’t even heard him get in the truck.

Lifting her head, she rubbed her eyes. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. But you need to buckle up.”

She quickly sat up and peered out the window. “Did they get him?”

A few officers remained on the beach speaking to the Coast Guard, but there was no sign of Craig.

“He’s gone.”

“What?” she shrieked.

He heaved a breath and turned on the engine then pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road. “Not surprised. I shouldn’t have fucking left him alive.”

“What did they say? How far could he get? I mean, he was on a boat.”

“They’re searching for him. A witness saw his yacht take off about an hour ago. Shortly after I left him.”

Disgust and guilt swam in her belly. The fact that he was walking around freely made her skin crawl. And he’d be pissed she got away. Fresh fear hit like a punch to the gut.

“Don’t worry about it, all right? I’m going to find him, but for now we need rest. Where’re you staying?”

She gave him the address of the short-term rental. She hoped Chantal was there so she could warn her about Craig. She’d left her phone in the bathroom on his boat. If Chantal wasn’t at their place, she’d call her from Troy’s phone.

Craig’s taunting question suddenly entered her mind. Do you want to know what made Annamay scream? She shut her eyes, wishing she could banish the man by denial alone.

“Paige, are you all right?” Troy’s warm hand settled on her thigh.

She opened her eyes to find that they were stopped at a red light. His gaze was intent and concerned. “I’m fine.” Her voice was hollow. Exhausted.

His hand stayed rooted to her thigh as he turned down the road that led to her rental.

Realization hit her like a wrecking ball to the chest. “He’s been to our place,” she wheezed.

Oh, god. Chantal. Paige swallowed the growing lump of anxiety in her throat. All she could do was pray her friend hadn’t been home.

The cheery white bungalow came into view. A large palm tree and several smaller tropical plants decorated the front yard. The porch light was on, sending a warm glow over the xeriscape yard.

Troy pulled into the driveway and slammed into park. He rested his arm on the headrest of her seat, his eyes sparking with an unfamiliar emotion. He was either angry or . . . jealous?

He reached down to catch the strap of her dress and pull it up, just as he’d done on the beach.

Her skin reacted like a match to kerosine.