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“Beau told me the story He murdered three people and almost killed Sky”
“Yes, he did” Tori’s expression was sad but wise “But the home is a nice little place, well kept, probably cheaper and certainly more private than the apartments would be I have the key anytime you’d like to look at it”
“I’ll keep it in mind But—”
“No pressure” Tori smiled “Just think about it”
Lauren thought about it all the way back to the ranch In some ways the Axelrod house would be perfect for her needs But the idea that a murderer had lived inside those walls would haunt every hour she spent there She could get rid of the furniture, repaint the walls, replace the fixtures and floor coverings But even then there was no way she would feel at ease For now she would trust to luck and hope one of the apartments, or some other place, would open up
When she reached the house, her father aiting on the porch, a glass of bourbon in his hand Fighting the temptation to turn the car around and drive away, she pulled into the shade and switched off the engine Her father rose as she mounted the front steps
“I tried to call you, but evidently you’d turned off your phone If you ith that half-breed Fletcher—”
“I was having lunch with Tori Tyler,” Lauren said, holding back her temper “I asked her to help me find a place to live in town”
“Live in town? Hell, you live here!” he snapped “This is your hoood money for some rat hole in Blanco? And since when do you know Tori?”
Lauren willed herself not to lash out at him He’d been hard to live hen she’d first arrived Now his behavior was beco erratic While he tracked her every uarded his own secrets alun to worry about his ht have pushed hieneral election co to happen She owed the , Lauren reminded herself But he was her father and, in spite of everything, she couldn’t help worrying about him
“I need to be on ested I call Tori I met her for the first time today She’s a nice woman—seems to know more than a little about you”
He took a swig frolass “What Tori knows about irl The only reason you want to be on your own is so you can screw that bastard Fletcher”
Lauren gasped She’d tried to remain calm, but his last accusation had sunk home—maybe because it was at least partly true She drew herself up “Maybe I should be the one asking questions You’re coht When you walk in, the smell of that awful perfume leaves a trail behind you all the way down the hall Your car reeks of it Who’s the woman, Dad? Is she married? Is that why you won’t tell me?”
His hand ca to strike her But then he lowered his arm, turned away, and with a muttered curse stalked into the house
Lauren’s legs were quivering She sank onto the top step, fists clenched on her knees With the pri up nextpressure cooker—and just now he’d nearly exploded