High Noon (Between the Veils Series, Book Two) Read Online Free Page B

throws the rest of my dinner on the floor.”
    Payton smirked and dug in, only casual conversation passing between them before the server brought the check. She shook her head when Blake took the receipt, waving off her offer to pay.
    “I dragged you out of bed in the middle of the night. Made you drive halfway across the country and I'm the cause behind you having your food tossed at you. Buying you dinner is the least I can do.”
    “First, you didn’t drag me here, I offered to come. And second, my truck was overdue for a long highway run, so do me a favor and take this small offering with grace.”
    Payton rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I will pay you back…one way or another.”
    He gave her his best smile. “God, I hope so.”
    Payton coughed back her sip of water, her eyes wide as she gave him a long, slow sweep. A deep flush crept up her cheeks as he stood and offered her his hand, thanking the server before making his way to the door. Payton followed beside him, her fingers laced in his. The warmth of her touch made him feel restless, like the air before a thunderstorm. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this off-kilter and didn’t know whether to embrace it or run screaming for the hills.
    He chose to ignore the sensation as he climbed into his truck, revving the engine as it roared to life. Payton buckled in beside him, playing with the radio as they made their way back to her place. He glanced at her. Damn, she looked good sitting in his truck…looked right.
    The warm feeling spread through his chest again as he pulled up in front of the gallery, putting the truck in park. Payton smiled her thanks, meeting him on the stone walkway that led to the front door. He stayed slightly ahead of her, a prickling sensation burning along his nape. He glanced over his shoulder once, greeted only by the shadowed view of his truck at the curb. Tension bunched his muscles as he tried to shake off the unsettling feeling, watching as Payton placed her key in the lock and opened the door. Blake held out his arm, stopping her from stepping across the threshold as he took a peek inside. A solitary light burned near the back wall, casting a dim glow across the room.
    Payton grabbed his arm. “Is everything okay?”
    He surveyed the space, searching for anything that looked out of place. “The place looks fine, it’s just…” He cursed and lowered his arm. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Just a feeling.”
    “So it’s okay if I go inside?”
    “Sure.” He motioned to the table. “Would you mind handing me that recorder?”
    She stepped through the doorway, turning to grab the small device off the table before pivoting back to him. He smiled as she placed the unit in his hand. He shuffled forward only to sail backward onto the walkway, landing hard on his back as his head snapped against the ground. Pain radiated up his body as colored spots danced across his vision. Jumbled sounds played in the background as he fought to clear his head. Someone screamed, and he blinked, raising his head just enough to see the door slam shut and Payton disappear from sight.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
     
    “Payton!”
    Blake rolled to his side, resisting the urge to spill his dinner across the grass as he staggered to his feet, stumbling for the door. The world tilted, and he crashed into the side of the building as a loud ringing sounded in his head. He tried to shake it away, palming the handle in an effort to open the door.
    The smooth knob turned in his hand, but even with shouldering his weight against the door, the damn thing wouldn’t budge. He cursed and looked through the small glass window. The room was dark, the light no longer shining at the back.
    “Payton!”
    He pounded on the door, finally resting his forehead on the cold wood. He took a deep breath, figuring out his next move when a soft voice whispered next to him.
    Go back .
    He pushed off the door, shivering as a cold breeze moved through him,