Page 18 of Dangerous Secrets
Keeley tipped her head to Delaney’s.“Thanks, friend.You’re the best.I’ll let Mom know youoffered.”
Hearing the continued worry inKeeley’s voice, Delaney said, “This is a positive move, Keel.Forall of you.It’s been hard for your mom, but it’s been hard for youtoo.”Keeley drove from her apartment in Sacramento several times amonth to help with her dad, and between that and teaching middleschool special ed, Delaney thought Abby wasn’t the only oneexhausting herself.“You go ahead and head home.I want to talk toBlue Moon while they’re still on break and see if I can schedulethem to perform at the farm.”
Keeley’s brows drew down.“I’ll wait.Friends don’t abandon friends at a bar.”
“You’re not abandoning me.We’re in Sisters, not Sacramento.There are a dozen people I knowhere.Go on.I’ll be leaving in a bit myself.”
She shooed Keeley out the door andwent to the booth where the band was relaxing on their break.Ashort time later, Delaney let herself out the back door, pleasedthe members of Blue Moon were eager to play at the farm.
She intended to check her calendar andemail the lead vocalist to cement the dates.If they worked out asshe thought they would, she’d book them for opening day and forseveral consecutive Saturdays.She was nearly to her truck parkedunder a lamppost when the back door of the bar opened, letting outthe sound of the band beginning its next set.
“Delaney, waitup.”
She groaned.Shedidnotwant totalk with Vance.She turned and gave a slight wave but keptwalking.“Later, Vance.”
Footsteps sounded behind her.“Hey, Isaid wait up.”
“I’m ready to go home,I—”
He grabbed her arm and pulled heraround.She wrenched her arm free.He let go, swaying on his feet,and gave her what he must have thought was a charming grin, but sheknew better.It seemed calculating.
“Hold on there, sugar.Ijust wanna talk to you.”His words slurred and the stench ofalcohol hung in the air.
“You’re drunk, Vance.Idon’t want to talk to you.Make sure someone drives you home.”Shereached for the door handle of her SUV.He grabbed her arm again,his fingers tight on her wrist as he pulled her close.
His lips curled in asneer.“You think you’re too good for me?I can buy a dozenproperties better than your shitty farm without breaking a sweat.”He leaned forward, his breath foul.“Offering to take that placeoff your hands, I’d be doing you afavor.”
“I don’t want any favorsfrom you.Leave me alone.”
She twisted in his hold, wincing whenshe was finally free and could rub her arm where she was sure abruise would form.A crash came from the rear of the building.Vance turned to look, overbalanced and stumbled, catching himselfsloppily against her.Her purse slipped off her shoulder and ontothe ground, her stomach heaving in revulsion when he rubbed hisface where it landed between her breasts.
“Mmm, this is perfect,” hemumbled.“You smell good.”
“Get off me, youidiot,youdon’tsmell good.”Disgusted, shestaggered back while trying to push him off her.
“Idiot?We’ll see aboutthat.”Suddenly he seemed to have a dozen hands because they wereeverywhere.
Another crash sounded, this onelouder.Delaney didn’t have time to figure out what was happeningat the back of the restaurant.Vance grabbed her hips to pull heragainst him, his lips and tongue wet on her neck.
“Fuck, you make me hard.Always have,” he mumbled.
He ground his erection into thejuncture of her thighs and for the first time, fear rose to mixwith fury.He leaned forward, and off balance, she lurched backunder his weight, coming up against her car.Artificial light castshadows over the ugly expression on his face.
“You’re not goinganywhere, not until I have a taste of what you’ve been denying me.I deserve a little of what I heard you gave that fuckerMcGrath.”
Wet lips grazed her cheek.She lockedher arms against her chest to push him away.“Get away from me.”Adrenaline had the blood pounding in her ears and her field ofvision narrowing so all she could see was the predatory leer on hisface.
Thinking only of survival, she dodgedhis mouth, gathered her strength, and rammed her knee up, smashingit solidly into his groin.He bent double, hands over his crotch,as he dropped to the pavement while letting out a high-pitched,agonized groan.
Her chest heaved as she fought backthe urge to kick him again, this time in his ass.
“Good one,Laney.”
She jerked her head as Walker rushedover to stand in the glow of the light.His hair curtained hisface, and when he pushed it back, he winced.
“What happened toyou?”
“Nothing.”He nodded toVance, now curled like a boiled shrimp, hands still cupped over hisballs.“Guess you don’t need my help.”
