“Shit.” Kate pressed her hand over her fast beating heart and sucked in a breath. “Felicity, you scared the hell out of me.”
“Sorry. I need water. I’ve got cotton mouth. Plus, I think I’m still a little drunk.” Felicity took a long pull on the bottle and then frowned at the keys in Kate’s hand. “Where are you going?”
Kate shook her head. “I’m going out.” She threw her purse over her shoulder, but Felicity grabbed her arm.
“It’s still dark. Where could you be going at this hour?”
Kate’s mind raced. “I’m going to Thorncrown Chapel. I thought I’d get some pictures at night.”
“Cool. I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Kate shook her head. “I’m not sure if I’ll get back in time to make breakfast. So I’ll need you to do it.”
Felicity gave her an incredulous look. “Do you always ask your paying guests to cook their own breakfast?”
Kate sighed and looked at her watch. She was running out of time. If she was late, Bigsby might think she wasn’t going to show and call the cops anyway.
“I’ve got to go handle some business, okay? You can’t go.”
Felicity’s expression softened and she shrugged. “Fine. Just thought you wanted the company. No biggie.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
***
The second Kate shut the door, Felicity ran into the living room where Jayden was sleeping on the couch. She grabbed his phone and copied his number into her cell phone. She grabbed her purse off the chair and dug out her keys. She waited until Kate started down the driveway before opening the front door and heading out into the yard.
She slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, hoping that Kate hadn’t gotten too far ahead of her. When she got to the bottom of the driveway, she saw headlights disappear around a curve.
“Please let that be Kate and not the paper man.” Felicity rounded the curve and saw Kate’s familiar maroon SUV. She slowed but kept Kate’s taillights in view, hoping that Kate wouldn’t realize she was being followed.
“What are you up to, Kate?” Felicity bit her lip and fought the urge to speed up when Kate accelerated. She didn’t know the roads well enough, but didn’t want to lose her.
Felicity relaxed when she caught the illumination of Kate’s taillights again. She followed in silence for another few minutes before Kate made a turn. Felicity immediately recognized it as the entrance to the Thorncrown Chapel. They’d been here during the day getting pictures for Kate’s website. “Well, looks like she was telling the truth, but something’s not right.”
Felicity turned in and pulled off the road instead of following Kate farther. She grabbed her cell phone and called Jayden’s number. When he didn’t answer, Felicity groaned. She should have made sure his phone was not on silent. She pulled up his number again from her contact list and sent him a text. Grabbing her keys, she hurried up the driveway.
***
Kate pulled up to the glass church and cut the engine. The moonlight reflected off the glass church like diamonds. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as her heart lurched. She frowned at the illuminated church. They didn’t keep the lights on in the chapel until after Easter services. It was still the dead of winter in January.
The door swung open. Oliver Bigsby stood in the doorway, sporting an obnoxiously big grin. He probably got the church’s pastor to give him a key as well as light the chapel in exchange for a large donation. What a douche.
Bigsby crooked his finger, motioning her inside.
She wanted to give him a finger of her own. Instead, she gritted her teeth and grabbed her purse.
“Kate. Glad you could make it.” Bigsby opened the door wider, letting her enter.
She glanced around at the glass structure. It never ceased to amaze her that the entire church was composed of glass with steel beams for support. Tiny tea lights were lit on every surface, from the altar to the small tables in front of every window. Candles were lit on the stairs leading up to the altar, and on the stone wall behind the pulpit, candle sconces flickered. The atmosphere hinted at romance, but with the company in there with her, hatred was the only emotion she was experiencing.
“Glad to see you came alone.” Bigsby didn’t hide the smirk on his face, nor the sarcasm in his voice. His fa?ade had cracked, and she knew she’d been right about him all along. He was not a good person.
“I’m here like you asked. What do you want?” Kate pulled her purse in front of her like a shield.
Bigsby chuckled. “Impatient little thing, aren’t you.” He reached out, taking a strand of her hair between his fingertips.
Kate slapped his hand away and narrowed her gaze. “Touching me is not part of this deal.”
Bigsby snorted, his face grim. “I can’t seem to figure you out. You let that tattooed thug in your bed, but won’t give me the time of day,” he snarled, his eyes full of bitterness.