AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"We have to figure this out. We especially need to figure out that man’s identity." He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "Crap. We should try to catch the news, see what the police aresaying."
He snatched the remote and clicked the television on. As soon as the screen lit up, he began flipping through, stopping when he found the first newschannel.
"Police are searching for this woman,” the anchor announced while a picture of me appeared on the screen. “Peri Winkler is a person of interest. She was last seen fleeing the scene of the crime. If you knowanything..."
Mishal clicked off the television. His mouth hung open for a split second before he shook his head. “Your name is PeriWinkler?”
“Yes.” I sighed and rolled my eyes. “You want the long or shortversion?”
“We’re kinda on a time schedule here.” He jerked his thumb toward the wall clock in the diningroom.
“Right. Short version it is.” I took a deep breath. “So, when I was born, Mom hemorrhaged. The doctors had to perform emergency surgery. She ended up having a hysterectomy, which is why I’m an only child and why she didn’t speak to my father for daysafterwards.”
Mishal interrupted. “Wait. She didn’t speak to him because of thesurgery?”
I laughed. “No, because of my name. I was supposed to be Persephone. The nurse had my father filling out the birth certificate while the surgery was taking place. He was shaking like a leaf, couldn’t write to save his life. The nurse tookover.”
“And your father said Peri?” Hegrinned.
“Worse. He couldn’t get that out either. The man was a wreck. The best he could do…Peri.” I giggled. “My mother was furious. I’m her only child, her one chance, and he blew it. I’m practically purple, in her mind.” I shook my head. “At least they aren’t around for this. And thank goodness they were cremated or they’d be rolling in their graves at me being a person ofinterest.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea they passed away.” He reached out and smoothed my hair back in a way I found entirely toocomforting.
“It was a long time ago. I’m better. And hardly anyone teases me about my name.” Igrinned.
“That makes one of us. Growing up, I dealt with plenty of teasing. In Arabic, my name means ‘torch.’ Outside of Morocco, where I was born, it caused years of torment. The go-to was always Michelle.” He grimaced. “And in truth, this may have a lot to do with why I look like a badass biker all the time instead of a refined billionaire, like my brother. Hell, I’m so rebellious, I made sure I lived on the other side of the country to exercise myfreedom.”
“I like freedom,” Iwhispered.
“I like having you free.” Mishal scrubbed his hands down his face. "Sooner rather than later, we need to get towork."
“I’m a person of interest. Let’s work now,” I suggested. “I can’t go to jail, Mishal. This guy is clever. I bet he’d implicate me to get me out of theway.”
“I’m sure he would too. Although I bet he’d prefer you were dead, because then you couldn’t talk.” Mishal blew out a breath. “Now we need to start from the beginning. Tell me everything you know, why I’m here.” He stood up and shook his head. “Huh. I almost forgot.” He pulled off his shoe and then peeled off his bloody sock. “The fucker shot me. It’s the only reason he got away. Sorry,Peri.”
My eyes widened. “You took a bullet forme.”
Mishal grinned. “I’m in security, cupcake. I’d die to protectyou.”
19
Mishal
“It’s getting late.Are you sure you want to do this now?” I reached out and rubbed her calf without thinking. Somehow, it seemed sonatural.
She eyed my hand and nodded slowly. “Definitely. We don’t have a minute to waste.” Peri kicked her legs over the side of the bed. “I had a couple of bags,” she murmured mostly to herself as she scanned theroom.
I pointed to the spot near the door, then walked over and grabbed all of them for us. Setting them on the bed, I waited to see what she did next before jumping into action. “Here yougo.”
“Thanks.” Her face was grim. “I wanted to change into something more comfortable.” Peri ran her hands over the bodice and full skirt. “I love this dress. I joked that I planned to keep it.” She sighed. “And now it’s ruined. Keeping it would be a permanent reminder of Devon’sdeath.”
“You and Devon were awfully…close,” I commented. For some reason, this burned me alittle.
Unzipping the bag, she bit her lower lip. “We weren’t mates, if that’s what you’re asking.” Peri smiled sadly. “He treated me so well, I often wished we were, but it wasn’t meant to be, I guess.” Slowly, she pulled out her clothes. A half smile appeared as she dug deep and found a few extras. “He swore he wouldn’t need clothes for later,” she explained, “but I was always more prepared than he and added some just in case.” Peri blew out a breath. “I guess it’s a good thing I did after all. Now I have some clothes to sleep in.” She held a pair of boxer shorts and t-shirt to her chest then stood. “I’ll go change so we can get to work.” Whirling around, she showed me her back and pulled her hair over one shoulder. “Can you unzip me,please?”
I stared at her long neck, her creamy porcelain skin, and my hand shook as I struggled to get my big clumsy fingers on the delicate lavender pull. My brow furrowed as I focused and finally managed to tug it down, inch by inch. As the dress fell open more and more, I could see Peri wasn’t wearing a bra. My mouth went completely dry. She did, however, have a corset laced up her back. “This too?” I asked as I scratched my finger against the pristine whitefabric.
“Please.” She nodded and waited patiently for me toassist.
