“I was afraid that was what you meant. I’ll have to consider the way to—' He stopped. 'You’re upset. I’ll shut up and leave you alone.'
'That would be a first.'
'You are upset.' He scowled. 'And I’m jealous as hell.' She used the word he’d once used with her. 'Adjust.' He smiled. 'I will.'
'I’ve made you no promises, Joe. I still don’t think we—'
'Time for me to leave,' he interrupted. 'You’re starting to be introspective, and that could be dangerous. I’m going to the precinct and see about the picture.' He paused. 'I may not be back tonight. I think you could use some time alone.'
She felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. 'You don’t have to stay away. If I don’t want you in my bed, I can always say no.'
'I’m trying to display my sensitive side.' He leaned forward and kissed her hard and quick.
'Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.'
She doubted she’d sleep well, she thought as she climbed the stairs. All the way back from Dillard she hadn’t been able to forget the sight of that scorched, ruined hilltop. What had made Dom so bitter that he had ravaged the site? He had ripped and killed the earth as he had done the bodies of his victims.
And then she’d faced Logan and hurt him. For the second time. But she had never thought her feelings for Joe would shift and change. If she was smart, she’d close herself away from him, focus solely on her work. She’d never been this unsure and emotional when she was focused on her job. She had purpose and satisfaction knowing she was helping the lost ones.
Yes, that was the smart thing. Think only of work. Close Joe out…
'It won’t work, Mama.' Bonnie was sitting in the chair beside her bed. 'Joe won’t let you do that. Besides, it’s too late.'
'I can do whatever I wish.' Eve propped her head higher on the pillow. 'He’s interfering with my life.'
'So am I, but you don’t shut me out.”
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“You can’t shut off your dreams.'
Bonnie chuckled. 'You always have an answer. The reason you don’t shut me out is because you love me.'
'Oh, yes,' she whispered.
'And that’s why you can’t shut Joe out.”
“That’s different.'
'You’re darn right. Joe’s alive.”
“I’d hurt him.'
'You’re just depressed because of Logan. You shouldn’t be. It was bound to happen. Remember I once told you that sometimes love started out one way and then became something else? You don’t have to lose Logan and you won’t lose Joe.'
'Bull. Loss can happen anytime. I lost you.'
'Silly. Then why am I here talking to you?'
'Because I’m nutty as a fruitcake. Another reason I should walk away from Joe.”
“I’m not going to argue with you. You’re smart, you’ll do the right thing.' Bonnie leaned back in the chair. 'I just want to sit here and enjoy being with you. It’s been a long time.'
'Then why didn’t you come sooner?'
'I couldn’t get close to you. It was hard this time. So much darkness… Nothing but darkness around him, Mama.'
'He’s a terrible man.' She moistened her lips. 'Was he the one, Bonnie?”
“I can’t see through the darkness. Maybe I don’t want to see.”
“I want to see. I have to see.'
Bonnie nodded. 'To protect Jane. I like Jane.”
“So do I. But also because of you, baby.'
'I know. But you’re leaning more toward the living now. That’s the way it should be.' Eve was silent a moment. 'He tried to tell me Jane was you reincarnated. Wasn’t that stupid?'
'I think it is. How could I be reincarnated when I’m here talking to you?' She smiled. 'And you The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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know she’s nothing like me.'
'Yes, I know.'
'You wouldn’t want her to be like me, Mama. We all have our very own souls. That’s what makes every one of us so special and wonderful.”
