Free A Killing Kind of Love: A Dark, Standalone Romantic Suspense by Ec Sheedy

Sitting back in the pew, he listened stoically as the minister touched on Holly’s life from preschool to her tragic final moments.
    Camryn Bruce wept openly but quietly beside him, shedding tears enough for both of them.
    There was to be a short reception at the Grantman home after the service, and Dan didn’t intend to miss it. Finally, a chance to see Kylie.
    When the last of the mourners headed for their cars, Dan stood with the Grantmans, Camryn, and Sebastian outside the chapel. Paul turned to Camryn. “You’ll stay at the house, dear. I insist. So does Erin.” He glanced at his attractive but oddly lifeless wife. “Don’t we, Erin?”
    “Of course. We have lots of room.” Her pale blue eyes emitted neither welcome nor displeasure. Languid described Erin Grantman, Dan decided. Or better yet, lethargic.
    “Thanks, Paul. Erin,” Camryn said, giving Erin a quick smile. “But I’m fine at the hotel. I’ll come by tomorrow when—”
    “I said, I insist.” Paul paused. “I have some things of Holly’s there and I think she’d like you to have them.” He looked up at Sebastian Solari—whom Dan now knew wasn’t Camryn’s husband—and his expression became momentarily confused. “Your, uh, friend is welcome as well.”
    “Thank you, but my flight leaves this afternoon,” Sebastian said, then added, “You don’t remember me, do you?” The fact didn’t seem to bother him a hell of lot, but then he’d been stone-faced since he’d slipped into the pew an hour ago.
    Paul studied him, shook his head. “I’m sorry. No.”
    “I dated Holly in high school. Final year.”
    “Sorry,” Paul said again. “Holly dated a lot of young men. Too many.” He glanced at Dan, obviously lumping him in the “too-many” category.
    Sebastian’s mouth tightened and he directed a dark glare at Dan. “Yes, she did,” he agreed. Turned back to Grantman, he said, “Maybe this will jog your memory—I’m Gina’s brother. Delores’s son? Sebastian Solari.”
    “Ah . . . yes.” The older man looked as if the memory had the taste of a bad oyster, but he rallied. “You’re welcome to stay—at least for the weekend. I’ll send Maury to your hotel to pick up your things.”
    “No, thanks,” Sebastian said. “Like I said, I have a plane to catch.”
    “As you like.” Looking relieved, Paul turned to Dan, gave him the usual cold stare, and said, “You’ll stay. It’ll give us a chance to straighten things out between us. Be easier if you were close by.”
    “Fine by me.” Dan would take any opportunity to see Kylie—and make damn sure he didn’t leave without her.
    “Tell Maury where you’re staying. He’ll get your and Camryn’s things.” At that Paul glanced at his watch, then took Erin’s arm. “We’d better get going. We can’t leave our guests too long.” Erin did her slo-mo blink, smiled, and nodded. Together they walked to the black Mercedes limo.
    Sebastian shot another cold glance at Dan, before saying to Camryn, “I’ll get the car, drop you at Paul’s before I leave.” He strode off, leaving them alone on the shallow steps.
    She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Paul doesn’t like you,” she said.
    Her directness stymied him for a second. Then he shrugged. “No.”
    “He never liked any of Holly’s boyfriends. Not one. So you shouldn’t take it personally.” Her still tear-bright eyes looked amused.
    Dan didn’t bother to say he’d been a bit more than a boyfriend. “I don’t.”
    “Good.” She glanced in Sebastian’s direction, and Dan followed her gaze, saw the man get in the car and put his cell phone to his ear. Camryn looked back at him, annoyance creasing her brow. “You know, Sebastian dated Holly for two years in high school. They went to the prom together. They were absolutely inseparable. No way would Paul not remember him. Sebastian didn’t deserve that slight.” She shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the man in the car, filled with concern and