Trust Me by Aliyah Burke Read Free Book Online Page A

brothers. Shelly Marie slid her hands into her front jean pockets and continued along the shelves as she pondered how she had gotten back to this point. Or rather why he’d let her come out alone. Then again, knowing Adam, I’m not.
    She pulled some items and stuck them in the crook of her arm. Before too long she stood at the register.
    “Mr. Wilder called and said you were coming in with his card, ma’am, so it’s not going to be a problem.”
    “He did?” she asked, although totally unsure as why that shocked her.
    “Yes, ma’am. I don’t have to ask for he described you to a tee.”
    “Thank you.” She appreciated not having to give her name. Handing over the card, she waited while he swiped it before putting it back in her pocket.
    “You’re all set, ma’am.”
    “Appreciate it.” She walked out with her bag of clothing and went to the back of the SUV. He’d wanted her to have that as opposed to the sedan. Spying a small bakery, she went there after and stomped the snow off her boots as the heat began to sink in her cold bones. Pulling off her gloves, she made her way to a small table and sat.
    “Be right with you, hon,” a heavyset woman with pure white hair said with a smile.
    “No problem.” She shrugged out of her jacket and hung it over the back of the chair beside her.
    Soon, she stared down at a large éclair and a piping hot cup of coffee. She worried her lower lip and stirred sugar into the java.
    “Something wrong with the food, hon? You’re staring at that plate as if it’s about to bite you instead of you taking a bite out of it.”
    “Just got lost in thought, it looks delicious.”
    “Okay, just checking. Oh, I forgot. A man dropped this off for you.” She dropped the folded note beside the plate and walked away.
    Guess Adam found me after all, not that I feel he hadn’t lost me. She grabbed the note with her right and used her left to bring the mug to her lips. The moment the hot liquid touched her mouth her world faded to a black tunnel.
     
    P EEK - A - BOO
     
    Nausea churned and her hand trembled so bad she sloshed some coffee over the rim to splash on her skin. The pain didn’t register her fear so great. She scanned the shop, looking for him but he wasn’t there. Nor was anyone she recognized as working for him. The patrons in the bakery were mostly older couples sharing a late morning snack, a few eating breakfast, and most important, totally ignoring her.
    Her breathing went haywire and her heart thundered so hard, she wouldn’t be surprised to learn it had broken some ribs. Try as she might, she couldn’t unfurl her fingers from the handle of the mug, nor let go of the note.
    A figure blurred before her as someone sat down. Panic thick and heavy clutched around her heart as the walls began closing in around her. He’d found her, she had to get away.
    “Shelly Marie?”
    That wasn’t her ex’s voice. It was familiar but she wasn’t sure from where. It said her name again and a large hand covered hers and took the cup away before dabbing at her skin where the coffee had spilled.
    “You okay, Shelly Marie?”
    The voice—masculine, but again not the one that struck fear in her—finally penetrated through her wall of fear. Marshalling herself, she focused on the hand over hers, offering a small modicum of safety. That alone told her it wasn’t Adam, plus there was no need to crawl within him at a single touch.
    Tanned, multiple faded scars along the back, strong fingers with clean strong nails. She flared her nostrils and took a deep breath.
    Lifting her gaze she recognized Derek. Beside him, was a large bag she presumed had bakery items contained within. Those blue eyes—Wilder eyes some called them—were warm and full of concern.
    “Start talking, hon, or I’m calling Adam.” He furrowed his brow. “I may anyway. What’s going on?”
    Unable to speak, she slid the note across the round table to his waiting hand. Her own shook as he opened the folded