Free Fatal Deception: Part I by S.R. Burks Page A

said. “Marc always feels like he has to be the protector, especially with women in distress.” He sat down across from her.
    Deidra grinned slightly. She realized she’d shown her emotions too much today. Now it was time to do whatever was necessary. “I won’t let it bother me,” she said. “It’s just that it would be good to see the ranch, and take pictures too. That way the whole day won’t be a bust. You know what I mean? And that thing about Marc and Geri… it’s okay,” she lied.
    Then Cain saw Alondra and Blair returning from upstairs. Everything seemed better. He rose to his feet and went to join them. Deidra followed to see if they had straightened everything out, but the way Alondra glared at her told her to keep her distance, so she walked past them and out to the porch. Marc and Geri were nowhere to be seen.
    “I know we just met and all,” said Marc to Geri. “But I really want to get to know you better. Hell, I came home and tried to push you out of my head but it isn’t happening, Lady; not by a long shot.”
    She was sitting on a bale of straw and staring up at him adoringly and in disbelief. She tried to absorb everything he’d just said. She’d been feeling strongly for him, and to hear him express that he felt the same for her had touched her deeply. She didn’t know what to say.
    “Just let me do this thing today and tomorrow,” said Marc. “Then, I’ll be free. I want to be there when you get your next car. Is that still okay?” He’d given up the idea of pushing her out of his mind. He decided he wasn’t going to let her go easily after all. He couldn’t.
    He seemed so sincere that she surrendered to his plea. “Yes, it’s okay,” she replied. “I guess I can live two more days being chauffeured around. Not that I really have any place to go.”
    He smiled. He was pleased he’d gotten through to her. “Good. Then I guess I’d better get back to Deidra,” he said, reluctantly.
    They left the barn, and didn’t notice the pair of eyes watching them.
    “I guess I’ll have to play dirty,” said Deidra. “Real dirty if I’m going to get what I want.” She watched them cross the yard and go into the house. She then slipped into the garage and disappeared.
     
     
     
    Chapter 17
     
    Marc looked all over the house for Deidra then came back outside and saw her at her Jeep pretending to be looking for something.
    “I wondered where you’d gone off to,” said Marc.
    “I was making sure I had enough film,” Deidra lied. “This is a job I want to go smoothly, and so far it seems like it will.”
    She invited him into her Jeep and he went to the passenger side to get in. As she turned the key she looked over her shoulder to see Alondra and her new friend, Geri, leaving the house and heading into the garage. Her lips curved into a sinister grin.
    Alondra saw her father leaving with Deidra and Geri couldn’t help but notice the young lady’s disdainful look.
    “Why don’t you like her?” Geri inquired as they made their way into the garage.
    Alondra was silent as she went over to her motorcycle and straddled it. She looked at Geri with dark eyes full of anger. “She’s no good,” she said. “And she’s after my father.”
    Geri let out a small chuckle and came to stand next to Alondra. She paused for a moment and stared at her in a motherly way. “Honey, take that as a compliment to him. I know he’s your father so you can’t fathom that he’s a charming, generous, and really good-looking man. Any woman would be glad to have him in her life.”
    Alondra looked up and a noticeable glimmer in Geri’s eyes. “Does that include you?” Alondra asked.
    Geri was caught off guard. She turned away quickly, not wanting to betray the feelings harboring within her, but also not wanting to reveal them to Alondra. “You know,” said Geri. “The first time I saw you, I thought that if my baby had lived, my precious little girl, she would have been your age. And I do