Page 64 of Carved in Ice (Made of Steel 3)

“We’ve never met.” He cleared his throat and his smile disappeared. “I’m going to let you two talk. And you can stay in Sadie’s room…temporarily.” V started to walk back toward the hall.

“Why don’t you call her Summer?”

He froze.

“That’s her name, right?”

V turned around. “No, not anymore.”

“But you know the truth about the witness protection program. Sadie isn’t her real name. She’s going to legally change it back to Summer as soon as she can.”

He glanced at me and then turned his attention back to Kins. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“That Summer Brooks died as soon as Don Roberts laid his hands on her.”

The way he said it sent a chill down my spine.

“Don Roberts?” Kins asked. “You mean the mayor? Mayor Roberts?”

“We hadn’t gotten to that yet, V,” I said.

“You have a lot to talk about then. I’ll leave you to it.” He walked away, leaving me with the lingering questions. Apparently visiting Eli would have to wait.

I sat down next to Kins. “It’s a long story.”

“I have time.” She smiled.

I watched her smile vanish as I told her about my parents’ deaths. I watched the way her expression changed when I talked about what happened in the years that followed. It was the same way Mr. Crawford had looked at me. Like I was damaged. As if I needed their emotions to know it was true.

Kins shook her head. “Why is he doing all of this? Do you think it’s because you look like your mom?”

“That’s our working theory.”

“How quickly love can turn to hate,” she said.

“Yeah.” The awkward silence was almost palpable.

“I’m really sorry…”

“We don’t have to talk any more about that,” I said at the exact same time.

We both laughed.

“Really, just ask me a normal question. Something that people our age are supposed to be talking about. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. And I am dying to know…are you and V like an item?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m dating Eli.”

“I hate to break it to you, Summer, but Eli is not aware of your relationship status.”

“He was just acting. He doesn’t want me to end up behind bars. He barely got out of this mess himself.”

“He’s a really good actor then.”

I remembered her conversation with Patrick. “What do you mean?”

---