Page 81 of One Forbidden Moment

He grabbed Vaughn by the collar and slammed him against the courthouse wall, his voice low and lethal as he growled, "Don't look at her."

Vaughn smiled faintly."You can't protect her from Everstill."

She hugged her middle."Moe, please..."

All she wanted to do was get back to the house and lock the door.It wasn't safe out here any longer.

Levi screamed again, louder this time, drawing every eye toward the tower.The distraction pulled everyone's attention off her.She grabbed Moe's hand and tugged.

"Come on," she whispered.

Moe pulled her across the street, his grip firm and urgent.She sprinted beside him, trying to keep up.Afraid to look over her shoulder, she feared the others would follow.

That Vaughn would follow.

Chapter 31

Moe

––––––––

Moe shut the frontdoor behind them and locked it.The faint click echoed through the house.The weight of the town pressed against the walls like a presence waiting to seep in.

"Fuck this."He moved through the living room and pulled the drapes closed, blocking out the pale Everstill light."We're not taking any chances.Don't open the curtains.No one needs to see inside my house."

He checked the windows twice, making sure they were locked.The cold seeped through his skin like a warning he didn't want to acknowledge.

Glancing at Jillian, he whispered, "Everstill's watching.I can feel it."

He walked back to the door and tested the lock again, jiggling it until he was satisfied it wouldn't budge.Jillian hovered near the hallway, her hands twisting nervously.

"I wish I had something to fight with."He stepped into the kitchen and opened the cabinet, staring at the few dishes that lined the shelf."There's nothing here."

He shut the doors and focused on the drawers in the kitchen, rummaging until his fingers brushed metal, pulling out a pair of scissors and two steak knives."It's not much, but it's something."

He held one knife out to her, offering it handle-first.She stepped back and shook her head.He softened his voice."If you don't want it, that's okay.I'll take care of you."He slid the knife into his back pocket, making sure she saw where it went."But if you're not carrying it, you stay by me."