Page 52 of Liar Byrd
“Well,” he says, slowing as we approach the gates to the mansion. “As long as you’re okay. I was down in town to do a bit of shopping when I saw you. Thought you might need a bit of help.”
That has to be a lie. Why would he be in town at the same time as I was collecting groceries? Nance needed them in a hurry, or she would have asked Vonn to pick them up if he was already headed that way.
He stops the truck at the gate but doesn't use his fob or roll down the window to enter the code at the keypad intercom. He sits there, half-twisted in his seat, his tanned forehead furrowed in a frown.
“Jessica?”
He’s repeating my name when the memory hits.
The man with a navy linen shirt and a dark beard stands across the road.
The smash of glass breaking as my grocery bags explode at my feet.
Bolting onto the road, unconcerned if a car ran me over—in fact, hoping someone would—so long as he can’t take me back to Jeremiah.
My head is dizzy, a cool wind is blowing in my face, and two large, strong hands are gripping mine a second later.
Except it’s not a second later. It can’t be.
We’re still at the gate. Vonn is no longer behind the wheel. He’s crouched in front of me, rubbing warmth back into my freezing fingers.
Shivering, I’m cold all over as I sit at an angle with my legs outside my open door, my head resting against the back of my seat. I didn’t unbuckle my seatbelt, so he must have done it for me.
Vonn's lip quirks into a half-smile. “Back with me?”
I swallow. “What happened?”
“You fainted.”
That’s twice now.
Once was bad, but twice…
Twice makes me wonder if I’m falling apart faster than even I realized.
“You have a question,” he says, still peering up at me.
Maybe it’s the concern in his expression that keeps me from snatching my hands back. Big men scare me, but Vonn keeps trying to reassure me that I’m safe with him.
Why?
“There was a man in town.” I lick my dry lips and continue. “Did you see him?”
I want him to tell me that what I saw was just a figment of my imagination. I need him to reassure me that I fell apart for no reason because I believe the man I saw in town was one of Jeremiah’s acolytes, and if it was, then I’m no longer safe.
“Someone is after you.” His face remains unchanged, and although he isn’t squeezing my hands tighter as he warms them, I can tell he’s angry.
It’s pointless to lie, so I nod.
“That’s why you didn’t want to go into town when Nance asked you.”
I startle.
He smiles slightly. “I heard Nance bully you right out the door, and I…” He squeezes my hands. “I was worried.”
My eyes widen. “Aboutme?”
He nods.
