Page 60 of No More Secrets

Shiloh creeps forward to get a better look. Zea approaches the rail. “I’d ask the same of you.”

“Where’s Lucas?” She leans to the side to see past Shiloh and into the apartment.

“He’s not here,” Zea answers.

The woman’s eyes narrow as she peers at her. “Are you his new piece? You don’t seem his type.”

Shiloh covers a laugh. She can’t help it. Just yesterday she’d asked Lucas if he wanted to do Zea because Lucas seemed totally interested. Of course, that was before they knew who and what she is.

Zea rolls her eyes, unfazed. “I’m the new neighbor.”

Ivy appears from her apartment. She grasps the rail, yelling down to the woman, “Go back to your husband, Faye. Lucas doesn’t need your kind of trouble.”

Faye’s face flames red hot, and Shiloh can’t tell if the woman’s angry or embarrassed. Faye flicks down her sunglasses where they drop onto her nose, and she sinks back into her car. “Tell him my husband is out of town,” she hollers up through the open window. “He got a last-minute job. I need to talk to him about the other night.”

“Who, your husband?” Ivy asks. “Why don’t you call him? Or are you afraid he’ll find out you’re cheatin’ on him. Again,” she adds after pausing for effect.

Zea’s mouth falls open, and Shiloh’s eyes go wide. They share a look.

“I need to talk toLucas. Now tell him to call me. I’ve been trying to reach him all day.”

“If he isn’t answering, he doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“Just tell him I dropped by, old woman.” Faye revs her engine. The car squeals from the parking lot, the rear tires spinning in her haste to leave.

“I went to her and Rafe’s wedding fifteen years ago. Even then, her eyes wandered, as did his hands. I don’t think there was one bridesmaid he didn’t make a pass at that night. Honestly, I’m surprised they’re still married.” Ivy faces Shiloh. “Get inside and lock the door in case she comes back. I don’t think Lucas was dumb enough to give her a key, but he’s a man, and men don’t always think with the head on their shoulders.”

“Ivy!” Zea exclaims, appalled. Shiloh stares at Ivy, stunned and a little grossed out.

“Stick a chair under the knob, honey. Her husband is crazier than her. He gave Lucas that shiner he’s been carrying.”

Zea looks at the landlady. “Really?” She frowns, and Shiloh wants to smart off. See? It wasn’t her who punched him.

Taking Ivy up on her advice, she scoots into the apartment and bolts the door.

28

The Fly By Tavern on the edge of Reefer City looks like a set out ofTop Gun. With its dark-wood paneling, pool tables to the side, dart boards on the other, the place is a time capsule. Van Morrison plays on a jukebox in the corner. Vinyl booths line the wall, the bench seats deep red and cracked with age and use. The place is popular with tourists, what with the air force base nearby and alien knickknacks on display. It might be exactly where Lucas lied to Shiloh he’d be to throw Zea off his trail. Give him time to escape. But it’s right where he ended up.

He should be over a hundred miles from here by now. Instead he made it twenty and veered into the parking lot in a panic. He’d left behind over five grand in cash and his laptop in his haste to get away.

For an hour he sat in his truck, baffled he could have forgotten something so important as he deliberated why he was running and where he was running to until he finally ventured inside.

He still doesn’t have answers or a plan.

Settling at the bar, he orders a Corona with a lime slice and a shot of Cuervo and sees exactly how this night will go down: him wasted and passing out in his truck.

Unless he drives home drunk to seek out the blade in his nightstand. Him and his ever-present death wish.

Or Zea locates him first and takes him into custody.

Thoughts of the bounty hunter have him circling back to why he stopped here in the first place. And the answer is clear to him. He wasn’tforgetful. He was intentional. He’d left the cash and laptop on purpose so he’d have a reason to go back.

And since he’s being honest with himself, he doesn’t want to run. He doesn’t want to abandon Shiloh either. Quite simply, he doesn’t want to leave California City.

He came here to die but somehow built himself a new life. Made connections. Befriended people he’s starting to care for. Does care for, he amends. He found a new home.

Then he met a runaway, lost like him. He wants to make a positive difference in her life, guide her in the right direction as Ivy said he could. Shiloh’s another Lily.

---