Read His Secret Past for Free Online

was incredulous.
    “You think I should have let him kill you instead?”
    “That’s not what I meant and you know it. You’re dragging me into whatever this is and I have a right to know what’s going on.”
    “I know that. I…” He couldn’t think straight around her. He desperately wanted to confess everything, but couldn’t find the right words. He hadn’t even planned to see her. He’d just wanted to protect her, not admit who he’d turned into. So much had changed in her life and he knew he couldn’t be a part of it anymore. Still, she deserved the truth though it might terrify her. No, it definitely would. He thought he’d been prepared for that if he was forced to talk to her, but now…he couldn’t stand the thought of her loathing him even more.
    The need for self-preservation kicked in. He had to hold off a little longer.
    “Are you going to finish that thought?” Her voice was quiet, but he didn’t miss the slight note of concern.
    “I just want to take care of this, then I promise to tell you everything. Okay?”
    “I…okay.”
    He knew the only reason she was agreeing with him was because she had no choice. He’d dragged her from the house using the subtle threat of tying her up. It might not be physical but he’d taken her freedom away. More than most he knew what it was like to have freedom stolen, and he’d never imagined he’d have to do the same thing to Alexis.
    The drive to the beach wasn’t far but the silence that stretched between them felt endless. A giant, black void that made him wish he was better with words. If he could say something, anything, to ease her fears he would. Even though he’d touched and kissed every inch of her sweet body, right now he might as well have been sitting next to a stranger. A stranger who would likely claw his eyes out given half a chance.
    When he reached the deserted stretch, he continued down the long, isolated road until it dead-ended. He stopped in front of a three-story waterfront house with boarded-up windows. No doubt someone’s vacation house.
    “Do you know who owns this?” he asked as he parked.
    She shook her head. “No. Most of these places are only used in the summer.”
    The icy wind whipped against his face and cut through his thick sweater when he stepped from the vehicle. As an afterthought, he grabbed the keys from the ignition.
    “Nice,” Alexis muttered.
    Since it was so cold he doubted anyone would be on the beach, but he hiked up one of the sand dunes. After a brief survey of the area, he returned with the body.
    As a precaution he checked the dead man’s pockets one more time, but found nothing else. He’d lifted a cheap throwaway phone earlier, and those were almost impossible to track. He dragged the body into a patch of beach grass and sea oats then noted the address and location. When they were on their way out of town, he’d make an anonymous call to the police.
    He jumped back in his vehicle and hit one of the speed dials on his phone.
    “Hunter, I take it you’re in the States now.” Father O’Reilly’s thick Irish accent was unmistakable. The priest was the first person he’d called once he’d made it to a secure line. It didn’t matter that six years had passed. His friend had been more than willing to help.
    “Hi, Father. Have—”
    “Will you stop calling me Father? I retired a decade ago.”
    Despite the situation, he smiled to himself and ignored the heated stare from Alexis. She was practically drilling holes into him. “Sorry. Old habits die hard, I guess. Besides, what am I going to do, call you Patrick?”
    The older man chuckled. “Point taken. Let me guess, you’re calling to make sure a certain package made it here.”
    Hunter turned left onto the main road and kept to the speed limit. He couldn’t risk being pulled over by acting careless. “Yes.”
    “It did and it’s safe. Don’t worry.”
    “If anything happens to me or Alexis—”
    “I know what to do.”
    “Thank