Page 51 of Burning Your Lies

No matter how hard I try, my voice comes out hostile. “Who did you think he was?”

Brynn finally turns to look at me, and I see the fear in her eyes. “He told me he was at Rowan’s club the night of the masquerade ball. He saw us together and wanted to know if I was single.”

“What did you say?”

Her voice is weak and timid. She can barely hold my gaze as she says, “I told him I was very much in a relationship with you. He said he was surprised because he saw the way you two … the way you danced with her.”

I close the distance between us. I’m stuck between my desire to strangle her for breaking my privacy and wiping the tears strolling down her cheeks. “And then what?”

“I said I trust you and that your relationship with her is over. That the only relationship that exists between you is the parenting one for your child.” She looks up at me through her lashes as she cries. “I’m sorry, Xavier. I swear, I didn’t know who he was. And I was trying to defend you and our relationship.”

My shaking fingers curl into a fist as I curb the temptation to lash out. “Do you understand the damage you have caused? I have built my career and reputation on my ability to protect one’s privacy. There’s going to be backlash. I will have to answer to my board for this article. How can my clients trust me to safeguard them and their secrets if my private affairs are splashed across the tabloids?” I take a deep breath. “And what about Savannah? The world is going to ridicule her. They’re going to call her a home wrecker.”

Brynn steps back and stares at me. “That’s exactly what she is. She had an affair with a married man.” Her tears are brushed away. “Is that why you’re really angry? Because you’re worried abouther?”

I grab her hand when she tries to walk past me. “Of course not!”

“I’m not stupid, Xavier!” Her lip quivers and she lets out a gentle sob. “Do you think I can’t see it? I see the way you look at her.”

Playing dumb, I put on a confused expression. “Like what?”

“Like you can’t get enough of her. Before the party at Basileus, when we were home, you looked at me for the first time in awe. Ifinallyfelt like you saw me as more than just pretty. I felt worthy of your affection. And I was on a high. I loved the way you couldn’t keep your hands off me. Until you sawher. She walked in and I saw genuine awe in your eyes. They lit up as you scanned every inch of her. I saw the way you held her close as you danced together. Your hands trailed down her back like it was second nature.” She bites down on her lip as she silently cries. “You may fuck me with your eyes closed, but I’veseenit all, Xavier. You still love her.”

Is it that obvious? Can the world see how wrapped I am around Savannah’s poisonous finger? She’s infiltrated more than just my cock. She lives and breathes in my body and mind. I can’t elude her, no matter how much I should. It’s an affection that will be the death of me. I want her now more than ever. That is simply a fact. I want Savannah. I want her so much I would happily burn the world for her. But I know she’s poison. I know she’s not good for me. That is why Rowan is going to fix the problem.

I wrap my arms around Brynn. “Of course, I love her. She carried my child. I can’t just stop caring about her. But I am not in love with her.”

“How am I supposed to believe you?” She hiccups through her sobs. “How am I supposed to compete with her?”

Forgetting all about the damn reporter, I lead Brynn to one of the seats at the island. I brush away her tears. “You cannot contend with someone who isn’t even in the game. I do not love her,” I lie. “What can I do to prove that?”

“I don’t know. I’m scared.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you. It’s why I’m still here. It’s why, despite seeing it all, I can’t leave. I love you, Xavier. And it’s a love that is keeping me hostage.”

That is my favourite type of love.

24

Savannah

There’s a chill creepingover me as I walk through the streets. I look over my shoulder to check if I am imagining the eyes I feel on me. When the coast is clear, I grip my bag tighter and speed walk towards my car. While walking, I scour through my bag to find my keys. In the blink of an eye, I’m pulled into a dark alleyway. A hand covers my mouth before I can make a sound. I recognise those eyes instantly.

His arm presses against my neck to hold me in place. “Such a pretty lady shouldn’t be walking alone this late into the night,” he whispers.

“Rowan,” I gasp. “What are you…” My nails dig into his skin.

His face comes right up against mine. “Do you see how it easy it is for him to kill you?” He applies a little more force, before letting go and walking away as if he didn’t just try to murder me.

My lungs feel dry as I struggle to breathe oxygen back into my system. With little strength back in my body, I race to my car and drive home. Adrenaline is coursing through me the entire time, and I can feel a wave of emotions suffocating me.

You know how he plays the game. You should have known he would try to kill you.

No matter how much I try to get myself to accept that, my heart doesn’t stop hammering in my chest. My legs shake and my fingers tremble. I’m so lost in my thoughts, I almost crash into the car in front of me. I would have died if it were someone else. Huxley, Jordan, and Mia would have been waiting for me at home, none the wiser that Xavier wiped me out the game with the sign of a cheque.

Unlocking the door, I proceed to the living room. I snatch the wine glass from Mia’s hand and down it in one go. But it doesn’t ease the fear still striking through me. I take Huxley’s whiskey glass and do the same.

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