Page 48 of Tell Me No Lies

The woman takes a shuddering breath, her eyes shimmering in the low light of the utility closet we’re hiding in. “I’m Lucy.”

I smile. “Hi, Lucy. Myra is going to be so excited I found her best friend right out of the gate.” I’ve heard more about Lucy than the others. She’s our main contact point, and the one who’s put herself in the most danger. I want to squeeze her and tell her how proud I am of her for being so fucking brave. That not all women are as strong as she is. But we don’t have time.

“We need to get back out there before someone notices.” I reach up to grab a stack of napkins from the shelf so I can use them to explain my reasons for being in the supply closet. “If anyone’s out there I’ll get them back into the room so you can sneak out, okay?”

Lucy nods, the movement jerky.

I smile wide, because I’m starting to discover I don’t have to resort to violence to fuck shit up. I can do it without anyone even noticing I’m there. Maybe this experience will have me turning over a new leaf. Broadening my horizons.

I reach behind me to swipe one hand across my lower back as I move toward the door, just to be sure the flathead screwdriver I swiped from the toolbox in the back of Tate’s SUV is still twisted in the crackstrap of my thong.

Once again I almost snort out a laugh at this whole situation.

And at the likelihood of me turning over a new leaf.

19

GET ME COFFEE NOW

TATE

I TUNE OUT the men sitting around me, only offering the occasional nod of agreement. They're not really interested in anything anyone else has to say anyway, they just like listening to themselves talk. So I let them talk. I’m not here to socialize, that's for fucking sure.

But while I barely notice anything they say, I sure as hell notice when Piper comes back into the room. Her first two steps are full of purpose and power, but I can tell the second she remembers where she is. Her shoulders hunch and her eyes drop to the floor. The sight is a knife to my chest and I have to fight the urge to start throwing punches. To punish these men for what they've put on her.

I know I can't watch her the way I want, so I force my eyes back to the table, zeroing in on the biggest prick in the room.

“The place where you live now is just too full of temptation. It's hard to keep things under control when the Internet is in every grocery store and parking lot.” He holds both hands out, palms up. “How are you supposed to keep your wives from being tempted to sin when they can access it whenever they want?”

I grit my teeth. If the opportunity to start throwing punches arises—and I'm hoping it will—I’m starting with his face first.

It didn’t take me long to figure out Rick is one of the driving forces behind this event. Not that he would have let me wonder. He’s been spewing his importance for the past hour. Making sure we all know he’s the top of the food chain in Mountain Oak now that Lydia’s father and brother and the rest of the higher-ups have been removed from the equation.

Aka sent to prison.

But Rick doesn’t seem to have any fear he’ll meet the same fate, and I have to wonder if he’s that stupid or just that full of himself. I’m thinking a little from column A and a little from column B.

Luckily, I'm saved from suffering through any more of his bullshit when Piper reaches my side. Resting one hand on my shoulder, she leans down, her voice low as she asks, “Would you like more coffee?”

I have to stop myself from jumping up. I don't know how much it will take to make these people suspicious of us, and I don't want to find out. Especially since it could put Piper at risk. So I take a deep breath, hoping it looks like I'm mulling over her question.

Finally, without looking at her, I slowly stand. “No. I think I'm ready to turn in for the night.” I focus on the men, ignoring Piper even though it goes against everything in me. “We had a long trip here, and I'd like to be rested up for tomorrow.” I tip my head at each man, ending with Rick. “You boys have a good evening.”

No one seems thrown off at my sudden departure, which I take as a good sign. They raise their hands or return my nod as I turn away, jaw clenched tight as I am forced to leave Piper to follow behind me.

As she did before, Piper keeps her shoulders curled and her eyes downcast. I let out a breath when I see there's no one else waiting for the elevator and rush straight inside, pushing the door close button the second Piper's cleared the opening. They’ve barely met in the middle when I grab her, dragging her against my chest and holding her tight.

Pressing my face against her neck, I breathe deep, soaking up the familiar cherry vanilla scent. “I fucking hate this.”

“Then you’re going to be extra excited when I tell you what just happened.” She leans back, rocking up on her toes, expression bright and open. “I—”

She's cut off by the bell signifying the elevator’s arrival at our floor. Before my eyes, Piper morphs into something that turns my stomach, changing to look like the exact type of woman my father would've preyed upon, hoping to add her to his collection. She turns to the elevator doors just as they open.

Another group of hopeful IGL members stand on the other side, so I move past her, resting my hand over the doors to hold them open for the group entering. As soon as they’re inside, I tip my head and walk away, fists clenching and unclenching all the way to our room.

I can't scan the keycard fast enough. The second the lock releases, I shove the door open, looking both ways before dragging her in with me.

Piper lets out a little yelp, flailing around as I haul her into the safety of our private space. Before she's caught her breath, I'm fumbling with the buttons of her shirt, undoing a few before giving up and yanking it over her head. “I hate seeing you like this.” What I'm doing isn't sexual, but it is based on need. “You shouldn't have to do this shit.” Her skirt’s next, and I'm just as rough, yanking at the button and zipper before shoving it to the floor, leaving her standing in a hot pink bra and matching thong.

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