Hayes stared at Kane and appeared almost bewildered by the question. Kane smirked and headed for the office door. He paused by the door and turned to face Hayes.
“I’ll catch up with you later,” Kane announced then grinned. “We’ll compare answers then.” He opened the door and left.
Chapter Thirty-three
Kane stood partially hidden near the entrance to the mummy exhibit and stared across the massive, mostly finished room. Hayes and Riley worked on a display while joking around. Apparently, they’d worked things out from their earlier disagreement. Hayes hugged Riley and appeared reluctant to let her go. She didn’t seem to mind being in his arms. Their feelings for each other were stronger than most married couple’s feelings. Maybe Scarred Riley had been right. Perhaps Riley just needed a push in the right direction. Had he nearly ruined something with which he never should have been involved? He couldn’t be with her anyway. Perhaps it was for the best. Kane frowned. All his questions were leaving him with a massive headache and a lump in his throat. He turned to leave before they became aware of his presence and nearly collided with Scarred Riley, who stood alongside him. Her attention was focused on Hayes with her younger self. Her sudden and silent appearance frightened him. She cast a glance at him and raised her brows.
“I know you’re not entertaining any wild thoughts,” Scarred Riley casually remarked.
“Just leave me alone,” Kane scoffed and headed into the next exhibit to put some distance between them.
As Kane walked through the dinosaur exhibit, Scarred Riley casually followed him. Kane attempted to ignore her taunting presence, but it was obvious she wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily. She was too much like a cat stalking its prey. He was certain she would enjoy watching him squirm while she sank her claws into him as well. Why did he suddenly hate cats?
“It’s nothing personal, you know,” she informed him with a casual tone that conveyed her arrogance. “Everything is going to play out as it was meant to. You’ll be back with that bitch, Selena, get married, and have a few good months before they whack you for your grandmother’s inheritance.”
Kane suddenly stopped and turned to face her with a strange look of surprise. “How did you know about my inheritance?”
“Oh, Kane, you just don’t get it,” Scarred Riley said with a sigh while folding her arms across her chest. “I told you about Tucker and Selena. I followed them. I listened to them plan and plot against you.”
“Hayes said you killed Selena in self-defense,” he announced then sneered. “I find that difficult to believe.”
Scarred Riley approached Kane, casually placed her arms around his neck, and looked into his eyes with only a few inches between their faces. Despite her intimidating appearance, her closeness suddenly didn’t seem to bother him. Pangs of sexual desire from his night with her younger counterpart throbbed within his entire body. He was seeing her beyond the scar and blind eye. He wanted her; and it frightened him.
“Look at me. I can beat the crap out of grown men twice my size,” she informed him with a seductive almost playful grin. Her fingers gently ran along the back of his neck, sending a ripple of desire through his body. “Do you think I’d need a gun to confront a little shit like Selena? I could snap her like a twig.”
Kane stared into Scarred Riley’s eyes, despite the blind one. She may have been Riley’s evil twin; but she was still Riley. He resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and forced himself to keep his hands firmly at his sides. He was stronger than that! She wasn’t going to play him.
“So you expect me to believe you just went to confront Selena on my behalf?” he snorted softly and smirked while shaking his head. “That you weren’t seeking revenge for Hayes? You must really think I’m an idiot.”
Scarred Riley appeared tense. She allowed her hands to slip from his shoulders and firmly along his chest before taking a step back. Her hands traveling his chest sent shockwaves through his body. It bothered him that it didn’t bother him. His thoughts slipped back to that night at the inn when he made mad, passionate love to her multiple times. Kane’s body suddenly tensed. It wasn’t this woman! Why was he thinking such things? She remained uncomfortably close, and his body wasn’t about to let him forget her closeness. The look on her face was once again reminiscing of her younger self, making it difficult for Kane to distinguish between the two.
“I didn’t want to see Selena hurt you the way she’d hurt me. They tried to erase my emotions, but I didn’t lose them all,” she said almost softly then turned cold. “When our lives return to the way they were meant to be, I won’t interfere with your relationship. I’ll be happily married to Hayes, and you’ll have to watch your own back.”
He stared at her and suddenly tilted his head in question. “Who are they?”
“Excuse me?” she asked.
“You said they tried to erase your emotions,” he announced while staring at her. “Who are they?”
“Where else would an angry young woman go? To her uncle’s mercenary friends. I asked for their help, and they put me through training most men wouldn’t survive,” Scarred Riley announced then grinned. “Just the finishing touches on the well-mannered woman standing before you today.”
“They accomplished their goal. I think you’re both intimidating and frightening,” Kane remarked. “Although he’d never admit it, I’m sure Hayes fears for his testicles too.”
“Well, we can’t all have virgins, now can we?” she snapped. Despite her emotionless expression, her body twitched in response. She was obviously bothered that he got to her younger counterpart first. “In my reality, I gave that up to a couple of mercenaries on a daily basis as payment for my training.”
Kane stared at her with surprise then shut his eyes almost painfully and looked away. “I’m sorry, Riley.”
She suddenly snorted a laugh. “Why? We all got what we wanted, and it was a learning experience like anything else,” she informed him. “It’s not as if I was forced to do anything I didn’t want to do.”
“I can’t imagine Riley going through what you had,” he said softly while staring at her with an unusual tenderness. “You may refuse to admit it, but what happened between me and Riley makes you a part of me as well.”
Scarred Riley appeared bewildered; although it was possible she was contemplating striking him. Despite his concerns, Kane refused to back down. He placed his hand to her face and gently caressed the scar on her cheek.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you,” he whispered softly.
Scarred Riley stared into his eyes, and, for a moment, he wasn’t certain how she was going to react. She suddenly kissed him passionately and aggressively on the mouth. Kane appeared startled and considered pushing her away, but changed his mind and returned the aggressive kiss. He was immediately reminded of the intense night of passion he shared with young Riley, and he didn’t want to give it up. The lights suddenly went out. Scarred Riley broke off the kiss and jumped away from him. They looked around the nearly dark room.
“The backup generator should kick on--” she announced and hesitated, “--now.”
A few lights suddenly popped on along with the emergency exit signs. Hayes and young Riley were heard approaching from the Egyptian exhibit.
“I’ll check the fuses,” Hayes was heard saying.
Scarred Riley suddenly shoved Kane into a nearby, darkened alcove, startling him. She slammed him into the wall and pinned him against it with her body to avoid being seen by her younger self. Hayes and young Riley entered the exhibit.
“Forget to pay the electric bill?” young Riley teased.
“No.” He then appeared to consider. “At least I think I did,” Hayes remarked then snorted a laugh. “Why don’t you wait in the lobby while I check the fuses in the basement?”
“Are you sure you don’t need me to hold your hand?” she teased.
Hayes smiled slyly. “I may just take you up on that.”
Riley and Hayes continued through
the exhibit, passing Kane and Scarred Riley in the alcove, then entered the lobby. Scarred Riley looked at Kane while keeping him pressed against the wall with her body.
“I’m going to keep an eye on Hayes. You keep an eye on me,” she hesitated, “the other me.”
“Sure, but if you’re going to hump him down there, do it quick, okay?” Kane remarked with his brows cleverly raised.
Scarred Riley glared at Kane through the dim lighting and sneered. “Seriously? You want to piss me off when I’m this close to your nuts?”
He was oddly silent a moment then gently cleared his throat and smirked. “Oh? And here I thought your hand was there on a purely social visit.”
Scarred Riley glanced down at her hand clinging to his crotch, grinned lustfully, and met his gaze. “Bad habit.”
Kane attempted to contain his boyish grin. “I actually wasn’t complaining.”
“I can tell,” she teased and gently brushed her lips past his.
Scarred Riley firmly ran her hand along his crotch. Kane shut his eyes and groaned to her touch. This was definitely the sort of thing that never happened to him, and he intended to seize the opportunity. He grabbed her by the back of her neck and kissed her with passion and aggression, hoping she shared younger Riley’s sexual desires. Without fail, she returned the wildly exotic kiss while groping him. They were the same woman! For a brief moment, all he could think about was having his way with her right there in the alcove; and how she was going to make his head spin. She suddenly broke off the kiss, took a quick step back, and stared at him with a look resembling concern. He stared back at her with surprise while attempting to control his heavy breathing.
“Are you okay?”
Her look immediately turned hostile. “I don’t have time to waste humoring you,” she scoffed. “I have to keep an eye on Hayes. He’s the one who matters.”
She turned away from him and disappeared into the dark corners of the exhibit. Kane sank against the wall, groaned lowly, and stared at the dark ceiling.
“What the hell is wrong with me?”
Chapter Thirty-four
Riley casually sat on the front desk in the quiet, dimly lit lobby. She wasn’t bothered by the darkness or being alone in the museum after hours without lights. The museum was her home. She played with her cell phone, which gave off its own glow. Kane approached her and the desk from the next exhibit over. Riley saw him in the dim lighting, appeared surprised, and then relaxed when she realized who it was.
“Damn it, you scared me,” she gasped softly. “I didn’t think anyone else was here at this hour.”
“I was in the west wing. Had one hell of a time finding my way back,” he informed her. “Where’s Hayes?”
“He went to check the fuses in the basement.”
“Where’s the security guard?” Kane asked with concern and uncertainly looked around.
“Andy? He’s probably going for the fuses as well,” she replied with little emotion.
There was an awkward silence. Kane stared at her. She gave him a second of eye contact then looked away and resumed loathing him. As he stared at her, he could no longer tell her apart from Scarred Riley. He wanted her so badly, but he knew it wasn’t possible. This was the woman he loved, and he couldn’t bear thinking she hated him. He couldn’t leave it that way. He had to fix it. Kane groaned softly and leaned on the desk near her while holding his head.
“I screwed up, Riley.” He looked at her even though she refused to look at him. “I, uh, I was in an ‘on again off again’ relationship with someone in the city. I, uh, just found out she might be pregnant. I need to do the right thing.”
She now looked at him. “I see--”
“I never meant to hurt you, Riley. If I’d known that Connie--” He hesitated and reflected on an actual incident from his past, which really wasn’t lying. “I never would have gotten involved with you if I knew we couldn’t be together,” he said softly and attempted to hold back the pain he felt. “I’d give anything to change it. I know you hate me, and you have every right to. I just hope you’ll be able to forgive me one day.”
Riley stared at him a moment in silence, slid off the desk, and put her arms around him. Kane shut his eyes and held her against him. She felt so good in his arms. He’d never felt this way, and he hated to admit it. He thought he loved Selena, but he suddenly realized he never knew what love was. He pulled away and met her gaze with tears in his eyes. He loved this woman so much, he knew there was only one thing he could do.
“Give Hayes a chance.” He realized now that love was selfless, and he needed to do what was in Riley’s best interest. “Hayes loves you. You were meant to be together.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Riley wiped the tears from his cheek and warmly kissed him on the lips. Kane hesitated then returned the warm kiss. It felt so good; he didn’t want it to ever end. The kiss turned more passionate and aggressive, and it was Riley who initiated! For a moment, his head was swimming with thoughts of just moments ago in the mummy exhibit. As her hand firmly ran along his abdomen toward his pants, Kane broke off the kiss and pulled away.
“I can’t do this,” he suddenly announced then looked into her eyes with all seriousness, surprising her. “You deserve to know the entire truth, Riley. Five years from now--”
There was a distinctive thump from the dinosaur exhibit. Both suddenly looked across the dimly lit lobby and appeared concerned by the sound. There shouldn’t have been anyone in that area.
“Did you hear that?” Riley asked.
“Yeah, it came from the exhibit next door. I’ll have a look around,” he said with concern. “I think you should lock yourself in Hayes’ office.”
She was obviously offended by the suggestion. “Maybe you’re afraid of the dark, but I’m not.”
Riley grabbed a baton style flashlight and headed across the lobby with a determined gait. Kane hurried after her and stopped her. His look was serious.
“That cave-in wasn’t an accident,” he suddenly blurted out while scanning her eyes.
Her look was stunned. “What?”
“Frank didn’t rig the mine to explode,” he quickly announced. “I think someone wanted you and Hayes out of the way.”
“You can’t be serious,” Riley suddenly announced with a look of disbelief. “Who’d want to kill--?” Her look suddenly hardened. “Selena!”
“Selena’s not capable of something like that,” Kane remarked then considered the comment and frowned. “She’s too much of a party girl.”
“Think what you want, but I’m going to see who’s lurking around next door,” Riley announced firmly. “And then I’m going to deal with her.”
Riley headed for the dinosaur exhibit with her imposing flashlight and a determined gait. Kane hurried after her.
†
There were very few emergency lights in the nearly dark basement filled with stored exhibits that resembled clutter. Hayes walked along the cluttered storage area with his baton style flashlight. It wasn’t the first time the lights had gone out, but it didn’t happen often after hours. There was movement in the darkness. Hayes shined his light around and appeared concerned. He seemed a little more jumpy than usual.
“Riley? Is that you?” he asked while nervously clutching the flashlight. “No pouncing, okay?”
There was no response. Hayes uncertainly continued along the corridor with more caution. He shined the flashlight along the floor. There was a large streak of blood only a few feet from him. Hayes appeared alarmed and stopped.
“Riley? If you’re down here, talk to me,” he said nervously then looked around with the flashlight. “Andy?”
There was still no response. Hayes uncertainly followed the streak of blood trailing along the floor. It turned the corner. The security guard lie on the floor with blood surrounding his throat and shirt. Hayes gasped and removed his cell phone with trembling hands then immediately realized there was no signal.
“Basement-
-” Hayes gasped and uncertainly looked around for signs of the killer.
He turned and nearly collided with Scarred Riley. He cried out then held his chest. Once he caught his breath, he blurted out, “Andy is dead.”
“I know; I saw him,” Scarred Riley quickly replied in a hushed tone. “I’m going to follow you to your office. I want you to lock yourself in and call the police.”
The alarm was evident on his face, and her seriousness wasn’t helping. “What about Riley?”
“Kane is with her.”
He studied her with a timid, fearful look. “What about you?” Hayes then asked.
She sneered in response. “I’m getting that bastard Tucker once and for all.”
“Riley, no,” he gasped softly and clung to her arm. “If anything happens to you--”
“It doesn’t matter what happens to me,” she remarked sternly with little emotion.
He stared at her with an odd look as his mouth hung open. “It matters to me.”
Scarred Riley’s harsh expression softened. She smiled lovingly and kissed him. “As long as my other self is alive, you won’t lose me.”
His look conveyed a different story, but he appeared defeated. “Be careful anyway,” he said softly.
She smiled warmly, quickly kissed him on the lips, and hurried into the darkness.
Chapter Thirty-five
Riley walked past the displays with her flashlight while Kane walked behind her and cautiously looked around. He didn’t like their situation. It seemed too convenient to be a coincidence. His pounding heart wasn’t helping matters either. Part of him considered grabbing Riley and dragging her to safety against her will, but the rational part of him knew she could snap him in two if she felt threatened. Was it wrong that he was suddenly turned on? He quickly brushed those feelings aside.
“We should call the police,” Kane announced softly.
“You’re being paranoid.”
A gunshot echoed through the room. Kane felt the sting of the bullet in his arm as he was thrown to the floor. Riley cried out and leaped to his fallen side. He clutched his bleeding arm in agony as she hovered over him.
Death Displacement: A time travel romantic thriller Page 17
