Free Hush Hush #2 by Anneliese Vandell Page B

Riley steps out from behind the register and takes my arm. He leads me deep into the stacks, to the back of the bookstore. Back here, the tall bookshelves reach all the way up to the ceiling, muffling the sound of our voices.
    “Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne are really capable of kidnapping? ” Riley whispers.
    “At this point,” I reply, my mind flashing back to Mrs. Hawthorne’s infuriated expression in the art gallery, “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
    My stomach churns painfully. I press my eyes closed tight, but the tears start to fall anyway. If something did happen to the Benzes, could I deal with it? Could I live with myself?
    I feel myself being encircled by a pair of strong arms. The soft, citrusy scent of Riley’s aftershave envelops me. I melt into his embrace. As I lean against his chest, I listen to the steady sound of his heartbeat, hoping that it will somehow slow my own.
    “My parents might know something. I’ll ask them,” Riley says. “Hell, maybe Eric and Kim are even with them now. Maybe they’re drinking chicory coffee and complaining about the price of crawfish as we speak.”  
    “I hope so.”
    “I’ll look into it,” promises Riley. He starts to say something, then hesitates.
    I pull away from him. “What?”
    His eyes are wide as he looks at me.  
    “I hate that you’re involved with all of this,” he admits. “You need to be careful, April. I’ve only just got you back after all these years. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
    I’m touched by the sincerity in his voice.  
    “I won’t let them hurt me. I promise,” I say vehemently. “I won’t let them win.”
    There’s a soft bell as the shop’s front door swings open. Riley glances up toward the sound.
    “I should get back to minding the store,” he says distractedly. His eyes flick back down toward me. “Are you going back to your hotel now? What’s your plan?”
    I stare at him, dazed. The plan originally was to visit the Benzes, learn something useful, and act on that information. But that plan turned to ashes the moment I saw the fire. So what’s next?
    As if on its own accord, my hand moves to my purse.  
    “I have to make a call,” I tell him.
    He gives me a final squeeze and then walks me back up to the front of the store. The bearded man is lingering near the register, waiting to pay for his book. He eyes me beadily as I open the front door.
    “April,” Riley whispers before I cross the threshold.  
    I turn.
    “Be careful.”
    I nod. “I will.”
    The door clangs shut behind me as I step out onto the sidewalk. Compared to the cozy dim light of the bookstore, the street is blinding. I pace down the block, finding refuge beneath the shadow of a large oak tree. I slip my phone out of my purse.
    There are two messages waiting for me on the screen.  
    The first: Your hot body has been on my mind all day. It’s the only thing keeping me going today.  
    The second: I’m in the mood for cajun food tonight. Come out with me, I’ll take you to Cafe Beauregarde. Finest blue crab beignets in NOLA.
    I stare at Liam’s message, my heart thumping wildly. What kind of day have you had, exactly? I think to myself.  
    With a chill, I’m reminded of the possibility that Liam may have played a role in the fire. After all, I heard him make that initial phone call, demanding to learn who had been talking about the “second account.” And he strikes me as the kind of man who sees things through.
    At this point, anything seems possible.
    I should be frightened, but there’s a curious part of me that still yearns to see him, to say yes, absolutely, let’s go to dinner. I could ask him what’s been keeping him so busy all day. I want to look into those blue eyes of his and see if I can find some truth in them.  
    But no, I can’t. Not tonight, anyway—it’s too soon. I need some time to process all of this. The Hawthornes are quickly revealing just how dangerous they