Secrets and Lies Read Online Free Page A

hadn’t had time to breakdown and grieve. Whether she had time now wasn’t the issue. Her emotions didn’t care about timing, they needed to be dealt with and they demanded she listen to them. She was listening, but that didn’t mean she wanted to listen to them alone. She needed a friend.
    Kyle made record time getting to her place. She would swear he broke every traffic law in the book because there is no way he should have made it in under a half hour.
    When he came inside she locked the door behind him before going into his outstretched arms. “Thank you for coming. You’re the best friend a girl could have.”
    He tightened his hold. “Tell me what happened?”
    She explained in detail about the events of that day, crying through most of her words. He held her, comforted her. Then she told him about the person who had almost run her down.
    “Thena, get the cops to get their butts in gear. This is serious,” he snapped.
    “I’ve tried, Kyle. I’m getting stonewalled everywhere. That’s why I’ve decided to hire a PI to help me.”
    “You can’t afford that; can you?”
    “I’ll make it work.” She would have to.
    “Look, you come stay with me until this is over. I’ll protect you. You know that.”
    She laughed. “You always do. But no, I’m going to be okay here. I don’t want to run scared. Plus, the cops really think it was just some drunk driver—they might be right.” Although she wasn’t sure that she believed those words herself.
    “All right. But if you need a place to stay you come to me. Anytime, it doesn’t matter, you just call and I’ll keep the light on for you.”
    She smiled. “Were you really busy? I feel as if I might have pulled you away from something.”
    “Nah. I was just going over some blueprints.”
    “You’re starting another house this soon? I thought you liked to take a month off in between jobs.” She was sure he had just finished working a remodel job just a couple weeks ago.
    “It’s a personal project I’m planning. Nothing major…and trust me, your call gave me the break I needed. I’d rather be here with you.”
    “Well, since you’re here. At least let me feed you.” She could at least cook him dinner.
    “I ate earlier.” He brushed a hand through her hair. “Do you want me to stay over tonight?”
    She shook her head no. “I have a long and very early day tomorrow. I won’t be good company. Thanks for the offer.” She noticed the twinge of disappointment in his eyes. Kyle was the kind of man who loved being needed, especially when it came to his friends. She had long ago lost count of how many times he had dropped everything to come to her aid with a construction job.
    She yawned, big and long. “I’m sorry,” she said once the yawn released her from its hold. Her eyes were now watery again.
    “No problem. You need some sleep.” He stood and pulled her up with him. “Call me, anytime—I mean that.”
    “I know,” she hugged him tight. “Thanks, Kyle. You’re a lifesaver.”

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    F irst thing Thomas needed to do was get some information on that supposed accident that almost got Thena killed. He had been thinking about her case all morning, but he had a case to deliver the final documents on this morning and it didn’t leave time for the leg work he needed to do for Thena.
    He knew she wanted answers about her mother’s death, but right now the more pressing issue was getting answers about who had tried to kill her. He was sure it was related. He needed to know if the report had any information on the make, model and plate of the vehicle. Her mother was dead. He couldn’t change that. While he wanted to give her the closure she sought, keeping her alive took priority for him. He wasn’t a bodyguard. He knew people far more willing to assume that role, but for some reason he was determined to make himself her bodyguard. And what a body it was to be guarding. He still couldn’t get past those sexy