Page 56 of Burning Your Lies

Before I can stop myself, I’m thinking about the last time I attended one of these dreaded events. I came with a different woman, hoping to close a deal for Xavier. I knew it was going to be an insufferable ordeal, so I forced Savannah to attend, too.

As couples dance, I remember the two of us gliding across the floor. If only I could turn back time and confess my longing for a relationship with Savannah when she brought up the future. Instead, I dismissed any future for the two of us. I was too scared of the change I knew would come with a woman in my arms. I knew the risk my secondary job would leave her in. I thought I was protecting her. Rather, I led her straight to Xavier.

I have to gulp my drink at the thought ofthem. Savannah told me that was the night their affair began. Had I just been honest,we wouldn’t be in this mess.Or maybe Savannah would have fallen in love with him, anyway.

My jaw twitches at the invasive thought. She was practically begging me for more and then fucked him less than an hour later. It has made me wonder whether she really wanted me or if I was just a second choice because he wasn’t available. If Xavier wasn’t married, would she still have wanted me? I mean, his marriage didn’t stop her from falling in love.

“What troubles you?” Rowan lets out an exaggerated sigh as he takes the seat next to me.

Staring blankly ahead, I say, “What brings you here? You’re hardly a charitable guy.”

“I gaveyoua quarter of my wealth.”

Unable to stop my smirk, I look at him. “You mean Istoleit.”

Rowan’s grey eyes carry the same amusement as my hazel ones. “I came here just for you. The great Huxley Ray,” he mocks. “So far, you haven’t lived up to your name.”

“We both know that isn’t what you came for. And I’m not giving your money until you serve your purpose.”

If there is one thing I know about Rowan, it is that he doesn’t enjoy being the puppet in anyone’s game. His lip curls in hidden rage. “I’m not talking about something as worthless as money. But only a poor man would fixate on such a peasantry thing.”

Savannah’s shrill laugh steals my attention. She looks breathtaking as her head falls back in joy. Her hand covers her mouth to stifle the laughter that is begging to be released. It seems I am not the only one watching her.

“Such a precious thing, your wife. It seems Xavier thinks the same.”

I can hear the grin in his voice, but ignore it. “If you’re trying to get under my skin by using him, it won’t work.”

Rowan twists one ring on his finger as he chuckles. “It mustkillyou watching them together, knowing they love a dirty, sinfulaffair.” When I don’t respond, he nods in approval. “Nice poker face. But I know they live in your head. How does it feel knowing he knows exactly how she feels? He knows what her skin feels like when she withers with pleasure.”

I close my eyes and force the image out of my head. “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience, Rowan.”

That taunt earns me a moment of silence. “I have to applaud the both of you. The sanctity of marriage. A vow of forever. A promise of no secrets.” He stands up and stares down at me. “I must say, I thought you would have gone cave man after he ordered the hit on her.”

It happens for only a split moment, but Rowan is all over it and his laugh grates on my nerves. I clench my fists but remain silent.Why did Savannah keep this from me?

But he’s determined to push all my wrong buttons. “She didn’t tell you,” he declares. “I guess there are some secrets between you. The question is, which ones reveal will turn your winning hand to a losing one?”

The tension in my shoulders doesn’t seem to go anywhere, despite the drinking. I close my eyes and wish I was anywhere but here. When someone takes a seat next to me, I want to tell them to fuck off.

Brynn sits tall in her seat, despite her mousey presence. “Rough night?”

My head is pounding and I’m ready to get out of here. I want to ask Savannah why she hid Xavier’s attack from me. I want to kill the son of a bitch who has spent the evening parading the mask he wears.

“I told Xavier I love him.” The look on her face is indecipherable. “Love. Such a peculiar emotion.”

“Sure.”

“Do you think she loves him?”

I want to say no with confidence, but I can’t. Part of me wonders if her motivation is because he broke her heart. He used her while she fell in love with him. Is that why she is determined to make his life hell? She says she hates him, but I’ve seen how she is around him. Can you tolerate someone’s presence for that long if you truly hate them?

I hate that part of me wants to know every single detail of what happened between them. But I can’t stomach the betrayal. How much of the truth has Savannah kept from me? What reason is good enough to excuse her not telling me about Rowan’s attempt on her life?Is she trying to protect Xavier because she still loves him?That is the only reason that makes sense to me. Savannah knows I would have killed him by now, even if it meant no justice for those he ruined.

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

She frowns. “Then why marry her?”

I stare at my wedding ring. “Because no matter what, I’m foolish enough to love her for the both of us.”

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