Predator - A Stand Alone Suspense Romance(38)

I hear an owl hoot and listen before I finish, not knowing if it’s even worth talking to the stars.

“He saved me in so many ways. I didn’t see it at first. He saved me from certain death. He’s the scariest person I’ve ever met, but for some reason I felt safe with him. Now I’m just a fading star amongst all the bright ones.” I sigh. “All I want, ever wanted is to belong and to have someone who will be just mine. Life really sucks.” I laugh bitterly. “All I want is love and all I get is people trying to kill me and take away what peace I manage to find in between.”

“Sometimes you just look like a fading star because you burn slower and deeper,” Annie whispers next to me. “You’re not an all-consuming star. Your light will shine for long and it will shine strong, Honey. Yours will still shine long after others have burned out.” She gets up and places her calloused hand on my cheek. “We’ll keep shining together, you and me child, because I have no intention of burning out on you. You find that peace you’re looking for here by me.”

I sit outside for long, staring at the stars, and I look for the ones that are the faintest. Annie’s and mine.



I haven’t even rinsed my coffee cup when a car comes up the road, driving up whirls of dust.

“Don’t hide,” I hear Annie saying from the porch outside. “You come and rest your behind here next to me. Don’t give the boy a reason to ask questions. You hear me?”

“Yes, Annie.” I’m nodding like one of those bobbleheads she has in her RV. When she drives, they nod all the time.

I dry my hands and rush outside. I sit down beside her and fold my hands on my lap. My heart is going crazy and all the fears are back.

“Smile, Honey,” she says. “Think of rainbows and butterflies.”

I smile, but no amount of rainbows and butterflies will stop my stomach from spinning as Jason takes the two steps up to us.

“Annie.” He tips his hat. “Karen. How are you two this morning?” He sounds casual, but I’m not falling for it.

“As bright as a sunray, Jason.” She nods to the bags in his arms. “Is that mine?”

“Yeah. I think I got everything on the list. I’ll just put it in the kitchen.” When he comes back out, he takes his hat off and leans against the railing opposite us. He stretches his legs out before him.

His hazel eyes are sharp, and his light brown hair is kept in a neat style. He’s tall and lean, not built like Damian. I frown when I realize I’m comparing them.

His eyes are asking Annie questions. I can see it.

“Out with it, boy.” Annie’s tone sharpens slightly.

His eyes turn on me. “You have an accent. I did a search on your name and it’s as clean as a whistle. What I want to know is how someone who was born in South Carolina ends up sounding like you?”

I freeze once again in the face of danger.

“Now, you listen to me!” Annie raises herself to her mere five point one feet and I take hold of her hand.

“No, Annie,” he cuts her off, “you’ve been my mother for the past twelve years, and I won’t stand by and watch you get used.” He straightens himself out as well and I get up, figuring we might as well all be standing. “I’m no idiot, so don’t make me out to be one.” Then he looks at me again.

“Go on inside, Karen,” Annie says, her voice dipping low with warning.

I said I would fight to stay here and I will. For once I will fight and I lift my chin meeting his angry eyes.

“Do you do checks on everyone you meet, Officer?” I take a step forward and for a moment my legs feel weak with fear. I’ve survived that container, I can damn well survive this guy! I glare at him, “I have an accent because my mother is from South Africa. My father is American. I was born here. Spent time traveling. Would you like to see my I.D., Officer?” I bite out. I’ve built up the story and he can now do with it what he wants. I don’t have to say another word.

“No,” he says and I watch him swallow. “I’d like a moment alone with Annie.”

I leave in a hurry but I stay in the passage where I can hear them.

“You come onto my land and you disrespect me?” She launches into him. “She’s blood of my blood. You don’t come around here talking of her like that. We put my sister in the ground and Karen is all I have now. We’ve been through enough to have you kicking up dust all around us!”

“Annie,” he breathes, “I’m only looking out for you. Something about her just ain’t right. You take in lost puppies and kittens-” I hear Annie inhale sharply. “Let me finish,” he says patiently, “you don’t take in total strangers. You don’t know what kinda baggage she’s dragging behind her.”

“Jason Steward Williams!” Annie breathes his name. “How dare you!”

“Annie-”

“Don’t you Annie me,” she fumes.

“It’s my duty to look out for you,” he hisses.

That’s about all the tension I can take. I stalk back outside.

“Would you both just stop it,” I say and I’m surprised at how calm I sound. I point at him. “You don’t know me. You have no right to judge me.” Then I look at Annie. “He only cares. Now let’s all take a breather and have some of that awful flower tea.”