Page 108 of House of Lies

“Of course she did,” Ethan says, sounding annoyed.

My chest puffs out a little. Damn straight, you’re not available. I don’t know what this thing between me and Ethan is, but there’s definitely no room for other women in our fucked up relationship.

“What about your friend?”

My attention snaps back to the conversation. Friend…as in me? My heart picks up speed, and I risk creeping just a little closer.

Ethan’s voice is barely audible, but I hear enough to know that he’s not happy with Myles. Which seems kind of dangerous. I’ve only just met the man, but this Myles guy doesn’t seem to be someone who hears ‘no’ a lot.

“Your friend could earn a little something on the side. The IRS doesn’t have to know.”

My skin prickles. Just what the hell are they talking about?

Ethan’s a jeweler.

“It’ll be our little secret.” Myles sounds exactly how I’d imagine the Devil sounds, trying to tempt someone to sin.

“You leave her out of this,” Ethan snaps. “Cassidy isn’t interested.”

I straighten, mouth wide in an indignant O.

Not interested in what, Ethan Remington?

I stand there for a moment, hoping to hear another snippet of conversation, but there’s just silence.

I don’t know what comes over me. I guess it’s the frustration of still not having a fucking clue what’s going on. You’d think for a bunch of people who obviously know each other, they wouldn’t be speaking in code like they’re worried the apartment is bugged.

When I step into the living area, Ethan is the last to look at me.

His gray shirt makes his eyes seem that much darker, almost the color of tarmac.

I get the distinct impression it’s because he hoped that everyone else in the room was hallucinating. Because the look of frustration on his face when he sees me rips into my heart like talons.

“How about you let me decide what I’m interested in?” I say.

“Trust me, you don’t want to get involved with this,” Ethan says.

“Why?” I cross my arms over my chest. “Is it porn or something?”

I meant it as a joke, but suddenly everyone in the room becomes very, very serious. Even Myles isn’t smiling anymore as he walks a little closer. He studies me for a moment, and I’m suddenly uncomfortably aware of just how much skin I have on display.

“Well… you would be naked… and there would be a camera…” Myles shows me his teeth. “But we prefer the term ‘performance art.’”

Chapter 44

Ethan

Cassidy stares silently into her wineglass, and I watch her uneasily. She hasn’t said a word since the Balmont Boys left, and I’m still trying to scrounge up enough courage to speak about what just happened.

“I thought you studied gems,” she says quietly, turning her wineglass around and around on the table.

“I do. I mean, I did. The other stuff…that was just…” I cut off with an angry sound. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why don’t you try explaining it to me?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I should be fine as long as you use small words.”

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