Naughty Stranger (Dangerous Love 1)

When the door shut tight, Boone glanced at Peyton and approached the counter, holding up the bag. “Lunch.”

She side-eyed him. “This is not a date.”

He chuckled. “Just two people eating food.”

She laughed softly, then said, “Thanks for bringing that. It’s been so busy, I haven’t been able to get out.”

“Thought it might be.” He closed the distance. “I really hope you’re not allergic to shellfish. If you are, you’ll have to be happy with a tangy lemon salad.”

“I’m not allergic.” She licked her lips. “And it smells amazing.”

He felt his shoulders relax that she didn’t seem standoffish that he brought her lunch, considering how she left him earlier, but not only had he wanted to see her again, he also needed answers.

Boone handed her the to-go container, then dug into his lobster roll that was the best in any state, he’d bet on it. When she took the stool behind the counter and began eating, he asked, “You have anything like these out in Seattle?”

“Not that taste this good.” She moaned and chewed for a moment, then cocked her head, eyes inquisitive. “Okay, I know this is so none of my business, but what is going on with Damon, and with Remy and Asher?”

“Kinsley’s never told you about Remy and Asher?”

Peyton shrugged. “I’ve never asked because no one talked about it. But why does everyone seem to hate Damon, including you?”

“Asher and Remy dated back in the day,” he explained.

“Oh,” Peyton said, obviously surprised.

Boone understood—Remy and Asher barely spoke anymore or even acknowledged the other’s existence unless necessary. Heartbreak tended to do that.

Peyton pondered a moment longer, then asked, “Things didn’t end well, I take it?”

“Things were good between them until Asher had big FBI dreams. He left her to move to Washington, and they never recovered.”

“Okay, I guess that explains all that.” Peyton stabbed her salad with her fork. “Tell me, though, what do you think about Damon?”

“He’s a creep.”

Peyton let out a loud breath and laughed softly. “Oh, thank God, I thought I was the only one who thought so. He just has a weird vibe, doesn’t he?”

Boone nodded. “Kinsley’s told her. I’ve told her. There’s something off about him.”

Peyton suddenly froze, eyes wide.

“What?” Boone asked.

She leaned in and said quietly, “Like he’s capable of killing a cleaning lady in a lingerie shop?”

Boone paused and then realized he shouldn’t have. “Can’t answer that. I believe anyone can kill in the right circumstance.”

Peyton eyed him with suspicion. “You think I could be capable of killing someone?”

“Yes.” He chuckled when she looked aghast. He nudged her arm, getting her to ease up, and explained himself. “What if you had a child, and someone wanted to kill that child, and you were face-to-face with a killer with a gun in your hand. If it was his life or your child’s, would you pull the trigger?”

She watched him closely before shaking her head and sighing deeply. “I’d like to think I wouldn’t, but I guess I wouldn’t know until I’m in that situation.”

Boone inclined his head. “People can do terrible things in the right circumstances. That’s just the way life is.”

“A dark way to look at it, though.”

Once Boone had been a naïve kid who tried to see only the good in people. But that kid was long gone. “Sadly,” he told Peyton, “darkness is always there.”