Free Killing Game by Felicity Heaton Page A

She’d never thought that working would be such an experience. The girls who were her workmates were all wonderful to her, helping her settle in and showing her the ropes. The jealousy she’d seen in their eyes at first had gradually disappeared and she knew she was in good hands there.
    She smiled as she told Cain all about the drinks she’d served and the people she’d met, and how great the bartenders were and how wonderful his friend Jack was.
    Cain just stared at the road ahead, not really seeing it as his eyes followed the motion of the windscreen wipers as they swished back and forth, cutting through the downpour. He let her ramble on, letting her be happy and trying to convince himself that he was making the right decision. She was better off without him.
    He was better off without her.
    Pulling up outside the apartment building, he smiled as he looked over at her.
    “And it was so hot in there. I got so sweaty and grimy just trying to move about. I mean, how the hell do people cope? I’m dying for a long bath now—” Lily looked at him and stopped talking when she saw how serious he looked. The excitement drained from her face. “What?”
    Cain just kept his face impassive as he saw her happiness falter.
    “I’m going to be busy for a few days,” he said and swore he caught a glimpse of sadness in her eyes but she was so quick to mask everything with a smile again.
    “Oh... work?” Lily said, trying to convince herself that this had everything to do with his work and nothing to do with her. Looking over at him, she was amazed by how emotionless he seemed, how uncaring he was about the idea of being away from her. She swallowed her hurt and just held her head high, telling herself that it was fine. It was time she settled into her new life and this was the perfect opportunity. “I’m sure I’ll be busy anyway... with the new job and settling in. I’m going to try and get Jack to let me paint the place... and I’ll be fine... my stuff will arrive tomorrow and I’ll be fine.”
    Cain thought she was trying so hard to convince herself that she would be fine, that it was obvious that she was anything but. He chalked it up in his head as another reason to hate himself—hurting a girl that he had feelings for, whatever they were.
    “You’ll be fine.” He smiled slightly at her and she nodded resolutely.
    Lily suppressed her hurt and managed a smile in return. She told herself that he couldn’t help being busy, work had to come first, she supposed, and she knew in her heart that he’d be there for her if she needed him.
    Smiling bravely, she looked into his eyes and picked up her bag, opening the car door.
    “Anything happens, I’ll jump right on the line... but I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She struggled to keep her smile straight as it tried to falter, her lower lip wanting to tremble over how everything had been perfect and he’d ruined it all by not wanting to see her.
    “Take care, love.” Cain kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel, resisting his desire to reach out to her and let his fingers run down her cheek. She looked so hurt, her eyes telling him everything her smile was trying to hide.
    “You, too.” Lily looked briefly over her shoulder at him and then stepped out of the car, sniffing back the tears that wanted to fall. She was just tired. This had nothing to do with him, and she was sure a long soak would fix it. Walking up to the building, she opened the door and looked back at Cain, holding her hand up in a little wave before walking in.
    Cain waved back at her, watching her disappear into the building and hoping he’d made the right decision and she would be safer without him. In reality, he wanted to stay, wanted to protect her from the world, but in doing that, he wouldn’t be able to protect her from himself.
    He sighed as he pulled the car back out onto the road, listening to the water rushing off the wheels as they cut through the sheet of rain that was covering