Page 58 of Twisted Truths

I have no idea where he wants to go in the middle of the night, but I don’t want to leave him alone when he’s feeling like this, so I stand and block out the fact he might never feel comfortable showing me his vulnerable side. “Lead the way.”

And he does. He takes us to a garage that’s separate from the main manor, one I didn’t know existed. When we’re inside, I walk toward his Rolls Royce, but he says, “This way.”

I stop in my tracks when he pulls a motorcycle helmet off a shelf and holds it out for me.

“A motorcycle?” My voice must highlight my fear because he walks toward me and places the helmet over my head.

“I take it you’ve never been on one before?” He adjusts the strap under my chin.

I shake my head, clenching my hands to still them.

“All you have to do is hold on to me tight and lean into the turns.” He fits his own helmet on his head and walks toward a sports bike. Obsidian straddles the bike and gestures for me to sit behind him.

My stomach is in my throat as I walk toward what I’m afraid will be my doom. Once I’m on, I wrap my arms around his middle and hold on as tightly as possible, not caring that we haven’t even moved an inch yet.

He starts the bike, then squeezes my hand as if in reassurance before we’re off. Obsidian takes it easy as we make our way off the property, but once we’re past the iron gates, we rocket down the road.

I squeeze my eyes shut, terrified, until he slows to take a corner, and I do as he says, leaning into the turn. Once we’ve straightened, we burst forward, accelerating at a pace I didn’t know was possible, and I realize this is another one of Obsidian’s death-defying efforts to forget the past and live in the moment, to feel alive with adrenaline surging through his veins.

Hasn’t he figured it out yet? No matter how fast this bike can go, he can’t outrun his demons.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

ARIANA

By Monday morning, Obsidian was a little more himself, and now on Wednesday, there’s no trace of the forlorn man who appeared after he fucked me in the middle of the manor.

When there’s a knock on the office door midway through the day, it startles me at first because very rarely does anyone come by during the workday. I look up and see Anabelle looking around the office, presumably searching for Obsidian.

“Hi, you just missed him. He went to grab a cappuccino from the kitchen. Apparently, Mrs. Potter makes the best ones.”

She rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Asher feels the same about the green smoothies she makes him in the morning. We’ll never compete.” She laughs.

I stand from my desk and walk toward her. “Do you want to wait, or I can pass along a message if you like?”

“Actually, I’m here to see you. I wanted to see what you’re up to tonight.”

Surprised, I blink several times. “Um… I didn’t have anything planned.”

“Great! The girls and I want to take you out for a drink so we can get to know you better.”

Alarm bells blare in my head because why do they want to get to know me? “The girls?”

“Kol’s wife, Rapsody, and Nero’s girlfriend, Cinder.”

I nod. “Should I be concerned?”

I try to keep my voice light, but I’m honestly worried. Maybe they’re digging for information, and if so, why? Has someone figured out what I’m doing? Maybe Asher asked her to pry because girl talk usually divulges more.

No, if that were the case, I’d already be out on my ass.

She waves off my question. “Not at all. You’re a part of Sid’s life now, and we just want to welcome you into the inner circle, that’s all.” She looks behind her and leans closer. “We all know firsthand how challenging the Voss men can be.” She winks.

Though I’m nervous about what questions might come up and what I’ll do to avoid the truth, the idea of making some friends while I’m here sounds too nice to decline. We moved around so much when I was young that I never had the opportunity to form any close female relationships. “In that case, I’d love to. What time were you thinking?”

“Be ready to go at eight. Meet us at the front door, and one of the drivers will take us into town so no one has to worry about driving.”

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