Page 92 of Sweet Deception

What's going on? Did I drink last night? What's that putrid stench? And why can't I open my eyes?

I take some steadying breaths, holding back my need to vomit again and finally manage to open my eyes.

Someone is moving me around like a rag doll, and when I try to sit, my limbs won't obey. Why do I feel so drained?

I catch movement above me. Hands are coming for my face and I can't react fast enough before someone puts tape over my mouth.

Blinking, I try to understand what's happening when pieces of images flash through my mind. Shit. I can't throw up again or I'll choke.

Panic sets in.

I roll my head to the side, searching for the person who put the tape on my mouth. Talia's leaning against a wall, her head sagging, hair covering her face, and she's completely still.

I hear something on my right and with great effort, I roll my head toward the sound.

Head swimming, it takes a minute for my vision to clear. It's the weird guy from downstairs. He's holding a phone and a flash blinds me. I blink to clear my vision when a cloth is put over my nose. Realizing what's happening, I struggle, but with my lack of strength, I'm no match for him.

My only thought is of Luca.

Chapter thirty-nine

Kylie's Dad

"Honey, your phone is dinging." Kathy calls from the kitchen.

"I'll get it in a minute. The steaks are almost done." I flip the steaks on the grill before sneaking a drink of my beer with my back to the house. As I go to set it down, I notice the label peeking out. I adjust the cozy higher to camouflage the bottle in case Kathy checks on me.

The last time I had a beer, she yanked it out of my hand and poured it out in the sink while I stood there in shock. I haven't gotten the all clear yet, but I have a feeling when I do, she's going to cut down on my consumption. Not that I drink all that much—I just think she's not over her fright from my cancer diagnosis. To be frank, neither am I. I have to do better, but life isn't worth living if I can't indulge a little here and there.

Sneaking a glance at the house, I turn and finish off the beer before sticking it in the bushes. I remind myself to come out here after Kathy goes to bed tonight to collect the bottle and take it to the trash can in the garage.

The steaks are ready, so I pull them off the grill and onto the platter. I've been looking forward to these since Kathy has cut back on our red meat consumption.

I sigh. It's not like I had a heart attack.

All three steaks are grilled to perfection. Seeing the third has my mind wondering about Kylie. I made one extra just in case she surprised us with a visit. Shehasn't been stopping by like she used to, and I miss having her here. I can't stop the sneer when I think about the reason for her infrequent visits.

How the hell my daughter ever got on Luca Morelli's radar is something I will someday figure out. I can't see him being at the college for any reason and it's not like my girl goes out and parties.

They don't fit. He's too … dark. My baby girl is all that is good and for him to think he deserves her makes my blood pressure skyrocket. My only hope is she'll tire of him. And soon.

Shaking my head, I turn the propane off and close the lid before taking the plate to the enclosed porch. With this nicer weather, that's where we've been eating most nights.

"That smells wonderful." Kathy kisses me on the cheek before walking around me to set down the green beans and mashed sweet potatoes. The rolls are already on the table with the butter and the pitcher of iced tea. The sweet potato recipe she found is delicious, but I mourn the loss of regular mashed potatoes.

I move to pull Kathy's chair out for her, then kiss the top of her head before taking a seat.

"You've made extra again." Kathy gives me a sidelong glance with a smile as she dishes the food onto our plates. "I miss her too, you know, but she's finally behaving like a woman her age. I love that she's dating and going out and having fun."

"Hmph. Did she have to pick a guy so much older than her? With thousands of boys at that college, why couldn't she have picked one of them?" I frown down at my steak, putting too much pressure on the knife, creating a high-pitched squeak as my knife scrapes against the plate.

Kathy chuckles. "Did you forget you're older than me?"

"Five years, Kathy. Not eight. At her age, that's a bigger gap than you think." I wave the knife around as I punctuate my meaning.

"Honey, our daughter is an old soul. She would never tolerate any of those boys her age. She deserves a man who has it together and will treat her like a princess.Which is why I'm thrilled he was just as upset about her car as we were and bought her a new one."

If there's ever a time for a record scratching moment, it's now. I stop cutting the steak and snap my gaze to Kathy, not believing what I just heard. If she wasn't concentrating so hard on her plate and avoiding my gaze, I would've thought I heard her incorrectly.