Covet (Sinful Secrets 3)

I feel Anna’s eyes on my back as I poke about the cabinets, working out the proper medicine for Kayti and the proper dose.

“When did it come on?” I ask.

“Sunday evening.”

“I wish you’d have paged me.”

When I return to the chair Anna’s sat in, bearing the bag with the medication and syringes, I notice the strange look on her face.

“What’s the matter, Anna?”

She purses her lips and sweeps a strand of hair from her face, refusing to meet my eyes.

“I’m afraid I’m a bit confused.”

Her eyes flash to mine. “Sunday night.”

I ignore the tightness in my throat as I say, “I was at the Patches.”

“No you weren’t! Your car was here.”

“I walked—”

“You walked to see him!” Her eyes glitter. “Maura saw you leave there in the early hours! She went for a hill-walk to the ponds.”

Tears spill down Anna’s cheeks. I feel so faint, I grab onto the chair by hers.

“No,” I whisper.

She’s shaking her head. Just shaking it in silence. I can see her lips quiver despite the way they’re pressed together.

“I’m ashamed I didn’t know. The way you spoke of him that day—when we had the wine. Just the barest mention, but it was there in your eyes.” She dashes tears away. “It makes complete sense now. Ever since you returned from that cave, you’ve been someone different entirely. You think I haven’t noticed?”

“I was trapped below ground!”

“You’re a liar!”

Kayti starts to cry.

My throat feels as if it’s turned inside out. I try to appear casual but end up whisper-hissing, “I was there to get measuring spoons.”

Anna jumps to her feet. Kayti’s eyes pop open. “Have you lost your marbles? What’s possessed you, Finley?”

I think of Declan whirling Holly. Hot tears sting my eyes. “Nothing! He’s gone in ten days! Nothing possessed me! I needed spoons!”

Kayti’s rooting about Anna’s coat. With one hand, Anna opens several buttons. She sits back in the chair stiffly, pushing her shirt up, and Kayti lifts her head, mouth open. I’m stricken by that sight: Anna shaking her head, her jaw tight with fury, as wee Kayti latches to her breast.

“I know it wasn’t a love match, but are you purely mad? You should be chaste! Waiting! You’ll be judged for this, God save you. I can’t say I know you. Where is that girl? I don’t know!”

Tears spill down my cheeks, and Anna shuts her gaping mouth. Her eyes soften despite her shaking her head. “How did it—”

I shake my head, pressing my trembling lips flat as I inhale deeply through my nose.

Her lips purse tightly, and her narrow shoulders tauten.

“Anna, please! Don’t tell a living soul, especially Holly! I could…you know what could happen. Please tell Maura it was spoons!”

Anna juts her chin up. I can see her pulse in her throat. “If they find out, Finley, it won’t be from me!”