Free Buried Secrets (New Adult Dark Suspense Romance) by Emme Rollins Page B

she wasn’t sure her brother was in any real heaven. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in God—or some sort of being or presence larger than human existence—she just wasn’t sure she believed in Julia’s version. Julia seemed to have this entitlement when it came to heaven—or anything, really. She was fond of saying people got what they deserved.
    But Nick didn’t deserve this. No one deserved this.
    He’d been stalked and killed here. The sheriff’s words kept coming back to her.
    What was left of him.
    No human being could have done that.
    She didn’t like the images those words conjured up. They made her stomach ache and her head fill with cotton. Dusty closed her eyes, stretching out on her brother’s grave, using his headstone as a pillow and letting her tears christen the gray marble surface. Yesterday she had wished she was the one being buried. Yesterday, she had wished it was anyone else but Nick. She had screamed it in front of everyone.
    Poor Shane.
    She rarely had any sympathy for him, but without her brother’s presence, somehow whatever had been keeping the two of them apart had at least partially dissolved. She’d taken her grief out on him, an easy target. And he’d let her.
    Because he’s guilty.
    She’d told him the truth—she didn’t believe he’d done anything to hurt Nick. But he knew something he wasn’t talking about. She was sure of it. She remembered the way Ryan had looked down, the way his gaze had skipped away from hers when she questioned him. Was he covering up something for Shane? What about the rest of the gang?
    “Not the safest place in the world to take a nap.”
    Dusty sat bolt upright, a scream rising in her throat before she recognized his voice.
    “Jesus, Shane!” She shaded her eyes against the sun as she looked up at him. “You scared me to death!”
    “I suppose we're in the right place for it.” He gave her a wry smile.
    “What are you up to?” She blinked at the way he was dressed—a dark knit hat and camouflage fatigues. He had a bow strung across his shoulder and a pair of black moccasins on his feet.
    “Trouble. What else?” He grinned.
    “I can see that.” She patted the ground beside her. “Have a seat?”
    “I’m invited?” He raised his eyebrows but he unslung his bow, setting it beside a metal contraption she hadn’t seen before that moment.
    “Is that what I think it is?”
    “Bear trap.” Shane sat beside her looking at the headstone she’d been resting on. “Eagle? Wow. Who picked that?”
    “Julia.” Dusty watched him trace Nick’s name, just like she had. “I’m sorry about yesterday. The way she made you leave like that.”
    “You okay?” It was a casual question but his eyes sought hers, concerned.
    “I’ll live.” She gave a short laugh at the irony, because it was the last thing she wanted to do. “So what’s with the hunting arsenal? It isn’t even bow season yet.”
    “Nope.” He glanced at the bow and trap, looking thoughtful. The bear trap was enormous, like the rusty jaws of a shark. “If Dumb and Dumber aren’t going to do anything but watch, someone’s gotta take matters into their own hands.”
    She stared at him, aghast. “They’ll arrest you if they catch you.”
    “They won’t catch me.” He winked.
    “You’re walking around in the daylight with a bear trap and a bow!” she pointed out, laughing at the sheepish look on his face.
    “Well… I saw you here and couldn’t resist.” He nudged her jean-clad knee with his moccasin. His brief touch brought her senses to life. She was suddenly aware of how close he was.
    “You look ridiculous in that hat.” She snatched it off his head and Shane ran a hand through his sandy hair, grinning. “You really think camouflage is going to keep anyone from seeing you?”
    “You didn’t hear me coming, did you?” He raised an eyebrow at her, smirking.
    Dusty snorted. “I was prostrate with grief.”
    “I’m sorry.” He studied Nick’s