Predator by Janice Gable Bashman Read Free Book Online Page B

whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
    Liam crossed his arms and shifted so he faced her. “It’s okay. Just forget it.”
    “Forget it?”
    “It was a long time ago and it’s behind me. I barely remember them.” He broke eye contact with her as if he was ashamed, and so very sad, to admit it.
    “But you said you used to go fishing a lot with your dad.”
    Liam nodded. “There’s a bunch of pictures of us fishing and at my birthday parties and playing in the park but, like I said, I don’t remember any of it. I can’t even remember what my ma smelled like or my da’s voice. I wish I did.” He paused and took a deep breath. “My aunt and uncle and Finn are my family now. I just wanted you to know why I reacted like I did. I hope you didn’t think I was mad at you or anything.”
    “Liam,” Bree said, wanting to tell him so much. About her own loneliness and feelings of loss, and missing her mom and Troy.
    It never left her.
    She tried to smile, even though she was filled with sadness. “I didn’t think that, not for a second.”
    “Good because I wouldn’t want it to change anything between us.”
    “It doesn’t. We’re good. But are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
    Liam shook his head. “I’m fine.” He pushed back his chair abruptly and stood. “It’s late and I’m beat, and you must be too. I’ll walk you back to the hotel.”
    “Wait. I want to talk to you about the hand.”
    Liam sat and Bree continued. “There are some links here that just don’t make sense. Everything’s not adding up. I need to figure out how the marks on the body, the monstrous hand, and the item from under the knee are all connected. My dad’s not really focused on the big picture. He’s just interested in his research and how my discoveries can help further it, but there’s more to it than that.”
    “Maybe you need to research some more, find some clues. I know a guy who might be able to help us. If he doesn’t have some answers, no one will. I’ll make plans for us to meet up with him tomorrow night.”
    “That’d be great.”
    They left Doolin’s and headed down the street. Liam laced his soft and gentle fingers through Bree’s. As warmth spread into her hand, she felt stronger and more beautiful.
    A few minutes later, they reached a narrow alley sandwiched between two shops. Bree heard a noise and peered into the dark space. A scrawny dog was scavenging for food in trash cans.
    But Bree couldn’t shake off the feeling that they might be in danger. It stuck with her just like it did when she was home alone at night and the house creaked.
    She looked all around. No one appeared to be following them. But that didn’t mean someone wasn’t there. Could it be that guy in the gray sweatshirt? Or the woman in the red jacket? Or the old man swinging the unopened umbrella?
    “What’s wrong?” Liam asked.
    “I think someone’s following us.”
    Liam scoured the area behind him. “I don’t see anyone suspicious.”
    “Neither do I. But the feeling’s so strong.”
    “There’s a cinema up ahead,” Liam said. “We can duck in there.”
    Picking up the pace, they made their way to the end of the block and stopped at the intersection to allow a car to pass. Bree saw a flash of green disappear into a store’s entranceway. “There. Did you see that?”
    “What?” Liam spun around.
    “Three stores down. Someone in green.”
    “No, but let’s move it just in case.”
    The box office was dark, but they pushed their way into the lit lobby. From behind the concession counter, an elderly woman shot them a puzzled look and said, “Last film’s almost over. You should come back tomorrow.”
    “We’re good,” Liam said. “I just wanted to show her all the old posters.” He gestured to the wall but kept his eye on the door.
    The woman wiped down the counter with a rag.
    “You see anyone?” Liam asked Bree.
    She looked around. “No, you?”
    He shook his head.