Page 10 of Burning Your Lies

Savannah closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Her fingers curl into a tight fist, which unfurls when she lets out her breath. She smiles at the therapist. “You’re right, Dr Cooper.” When her eyes fall on me, I can see what Dr Cooper cannot. I seemySavannah. “I think we sayfuck youto chess.”

I can’t help but smile at the life in her eyes. “What are you proposing, sweetheart?”

Her shoulders square back and her jaw sets in stone. Her golden eyes harden and determination radiates off her. “If we can’t beat him at his game, I think it’s time we changed the gameandrules. Don’t you agree, sunshine?”

The returning nickname makes me grin. “I’m certainly in the mood to play.”

She smiles too. “I’m in the mood towin.”

7

Xavier

My fingers loosen thetie around my neck as if that will ease the irritation burning inside me. Savannah was declared medically fit today, which means the second they deem her safe, she’s getting out. I saw this coming over the horizon, which is why I hoped her mother’s death would push her over the edge. But all she did was cry. I hoped her frantically lashing out when she was denied release for the funeral would delay this a little longer. But she got the board back in her favour.

She’s doing everything she can to paint herself as sane; including apologising to me. If I didn’t know any better, I would have believed her. Or perhaps that is the foolish side of me trying to taking control.

I would have preferred her to remain silent as she was those first six months. She says very little to me. But I don’t take it personally because, though she’s found her voice, it’s almost as if she’s afraid to speak to anyone.That works for me.

Seeing as it was his letter that graced us with her voice, I thought she would have spent Ray’s visits chatting away. But they often sit in a comfortable silence. I read that letter. It wasnothing but a pathetic love declaration.But it was enough for her.

I scoff to myself. After all the spiel about one visit and moving on, he hasn’t gone longer than three days without seeing her. She hardly even looks at him. Is that because she doesn’t love him?Does she still love me?

My lips curl into a smile at that thought. Regardless of how the game ended, she cannot deny the love we have for one another. It’s not one that comes frequently in a lifetime. Perhaps we can rediscover it after she’s freed.

There goes the foolish side of me regaining control again. Savannah has forgotten nothing. Whatever her plans are upon release, I have two options: kill her and raise too many suspicions. Or play nice and keep her close.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, Mr Rivers?”

I straighten my tie and smile at Rowan. “Now that you’ve got some actual walls, I thought to come and asses how much of my equipment you’ll need.”

With a proud grin, he gestures to the empty space. “Enough to protect one subset of my empire.”

Seeing a business opportunity, I arch my brow and plaster on my best charming smile. “I am the best in the business, Mr Ashford. I could protect your entire empire.”

He waves me off with a chuckle. “You worry about my London division first. The best protection is needed wherever I am. People don’t want to bring my clubs down. They want to bringmedown.”

Rowan Ashford, a man full of mysteries. His chiselled good looks and boyish charm easily fool people in passing. However, there is a certain iciness to him.

“Why are you in London?”

He wasn’t expecting me to ask the invasion question. It’s why he looks momentarily surprised. “Business.”

“You’ve opened clubs around the world without being present. What makes London so special?”

When he cracks his knuckles, my attention is on the rings that always adorn his fingers. “Personal business.” A smile graces his lips as if he’s part of a private joke.

The arrogance on his face irritates me. “It would only take me a few seconds to find out,” I taunt. “You’re forgetting I run a security company. One check on you and I can uncover all your dirty secrets.”

He doesn’t look phased. If anything, he looks more amused. “Find my secrets. We’ve all got them. But you’ll never find the bodies.”

“Did you just admit to murder?”

Rowan sighs. “You want to know why I asked you, of all people, to install the security here?”

“Because I’m the best in the game.”

At that, he laughs so loud it echoes. “No. Because someone who plays the games I do can spot another player a million miles away. The world may believe the act, but when you’re at the table with someone holding the same cards as you, your poker face isn’t that great.”

---