Hide Out Read Free Page B

the wood’s rotten.” Pushing open the door, he stepped into his new house, letting the screen bang shut behind him.
    “Thanks,” Trevor yelled, breathless from laughter. “I’d kind of figured that out.”
    Pete ignored him yet again, looking around. It was a shithole. He knew that. Despite that, something about the place beckoned to him. He’d found it on a real estate internet site one night when he was longing for a place without shared walls. As the couple in 13
    Katie Allen
    the apartment next to his screamed insults at each other, Pete had stumbled onto a listing for this house.
    He’d kept going back to it for weeks. It didn’t make sense—it was too far for him to commute to work and it was, as Trevor had again informed him, a shithole—but he’d bookmarked the listing and looked at it again and again. The house drew Pete. Even as he told himself it was a crazy idea, he’d been calling the real estate agent. He’d signed the papers to make the house his just a week before he was called into the lieutenant’s office. Now, turning a circle inside his new home, Pete looked at the stairs stretching up in front of him. It didn’t feel crazy. It felt right. A crash made him whip around and lunge for the screen door. Trevor sprawled amongst broken boards on the ground where another section of porch floor had once been.
    “You okay?” Pete asked him urgently, stepping carefully onto part of the remaining porch, testing his footing before allowing all his weight to rest on it. Trevor got to his feet, brushing off dirt and bits of wood. “Yeah,” he said, sounding a little sheepish. “Thought I’d get the suitcase that fell.” He grabbed the bag by his feet and offered it up to Pete. “Here.”
    Although his heart was still racing, Pete had to grin. “Thanks.” He accepted the suitcase and set it by the door where he knew the floor was sound. “Want a hand?”
    “Sure.” Trevor took his outstretched hand and stepped out of the hole onto the remaining porch floor. Pete grabbed Trevor’s other arm to steady him as he found his balance.
    “Good?” Pete asked. When Trevor nodded, Pete meant to step back—he really did. Instead, he froze when he realized how close they were standing. Trevor’s arm flexed beneath Pete’s grip.
    Biting his bottom lip, Trevor tipped his head closer to Pete’s. “Think we should let the neighbors know we’re a couple?” he murmured.
    “What?” Pete looked around. They were being watched. An elderly couple walked slowly on the sidewalk in front of Pete’s house and a middle-aged man mowed the lawn across the street with his eyes fixed on Pete and Trevor. There was also a young woman pretending to trim her hedges next door, although her clippers just closed on air as she stared at the drama on the porch.
    “Want to give them a show?” Trevor asked, leaning even closer. Pete froze.
    “It’ll save having to make explanations over and over…” By the time his words trailed off, Trevor’s mouth was almost touching Pete’s, his breath brushing his lips. He knew. Somehow, Trevor knew. And he’s mocking me. Pete saw red. He stiffened and spun Trevor around, slamming him up against the house. Trevor’s eyes went huge as he stared at Pete, who leaned in as close as Trevor had been to him just a second before.
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    “Listen to me,” Pete clipped out, his voice quiet and as hard as ice. “I am here to do a job. I will keep you safe but you will not fuck with me. You got it?” When Trevor just stared at him and swallowed, Pete gave him a small shake. “Got it?”
    “Yeah,” Trevor muttered, dropping his gaze.
    “Good.” Pete released him and stepped back, watching as Trevor grabbed his suitcase and yanked open the screen door. He disappeared into the house, easing the door closed behind him so it didn’t slam. It just closed with a small click. Pete stared at the door for a long time, both guilt and anger burning in his gut. 15
    Katie