Page 48 of House of Lies

“She left a note?” His frown is back, the furrows on his brow deeper than before.

“The detective working the case knows there’s foul play involved. He just has to prove it.” The detective being me. I’m the detective. Lewis be damned.

Remington leans back, sipping at his wine as he studies me above the rim.

Why does he suddenly look so defensive?

So…guarded?

I sit forward on my stool, failing to hide my wince this time. “They found a new lead. She had an appointment with someone the day of her disappearance. They’re investigating it.”

“I’m sure they’ll find her.”

I’m struggling to think of something to say, of some way I can lure him into making some kind of incriminating statement, but he speaks again before my mind catches up.

“If she wants to be found, of course.”

Indignation flares hot inside me. “I beg your motherfucking pardon?”

He cocks an eyebrow at my tone. “You said disappeared. So I assume the police don’t suspect a kidnapping.”

“What they do or don’t suspect is none of your fucking business.” I slide off the stool, but Ethan is so close that my legs bump into his.

His hand darts out like a snake, grabbing my hip. “Have you forgotten who you’re addressing?”

“I’m sorry,” I say, wholesome as goddamn apple pie. “That’s none of your fucking business, Sir.”

I knew it was a stupid thing to say the moment it left my lips, but I become unhinged whenever I’m close to this man. He makes every nerve ending in my body feel raw. And I’m not just talking about the ones on my throbbing ass.

The hand holding my hip tightens, sending a jolt of pain through my flesh. I bend into it, trying to pull out of his grip, but he just grabs my other hip and twirls me around like I’m his little ballerina.

My arms fly out, catching both our wineglasses and sending them crashing to the floor.

“Look at the mess you’ve made,” he growls.

“What?” Anger fizzles deep inside me—along with something else entirely. “You made me do it! Let go!”

But Ethan obviously doesn’t let just anyone go around telling him what to do. Instead of releasing me, he drags me across the kitchen floor. My heart climbs into my throat as we get closer to the counter that runs along one wall, where a chef’s block bristles with knives.

This is it.

This is how it ends, Cassidy.

You pushed, and you pushed, and now he knows you’re onto him. Now he has to get rid of you. There’s a lot of room in his hundred-acre backyard for him to bury you.

Are you happy now?

Chapter 20

Ethan

Cassidy isn’t weak, but she’s punching well above her weight. As much as she struggles and curses, she doesn’t stand a chance to peel my fingers off her hips. She must realize what’s about to happen, because suddenly she stops fighting and starts begging.

“No, please, don’t! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” When I don’t release her, she shrieks, “Help!”

Ah, now she’s getting into it. I wasn’t sure about the whole maid bit. Never been a kink of mine, and I have many, but I can always get behind a good old damsel in distress.

“Do you honestly expect someone to barge through the door to rescue you?” I ask through a dark chuckle. “Come on, Cassidy. You’re not stupid.”

---