Page 69 of Burning Your Lies

She pushes my hands off her. “I don’t think I can. Since the beginning, you’ve lied to me, Xavier. And each time the truths just get worse.”

I sit on the edge of the bed and stare at the ground. “This is exactly what she wanted. She always said if she couldn’t have me, nobody can. She promised to ruin me and she got that.”

Brynn’s stare burns through me. “Who are you talking about?” She steps towards me. “Savannah?”

The hatred and cold I feel whenever I think about Savannah fills every fibre of my being. “You saw the look of joy on her face this morning. She set this all up. She paid that woman to say all those lies about me.”

Brynn doesn’t look like she believes me. “Why would she do that?”

My lips curl in disgust. “Because she’s a fucking raging lunatic. Remember how I told you I had her sectioned because she was convinced somebody was stalking her? Well, she was convinced it was me stalking her.”

Her brow arches. “Were you?”

I tug at my hair. “No! If anything, I was trying to end things with her! Ask Ray! I told him to track down her ex-boyfriend, which he did. And do you want to know what that man said? He said he fled the country to get away from her crazy fucking ass!”

She shakes her head. “But why would she go to this extent? If what you’re saying is true, why would she hire someone to go on national television and say all that?”

“Only an insane person can make sense of anything she does.”

“And why would Caitlyn’s sister agree to lie about her sister being dead? If all this is lies, where is Caitlyn? Why hasn’t she come forward to vouch for you?”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“She’s part of this.” It’s the first lie that comes to mind. “It’s all part of a scheme to extort me.”

“Then let’s go to the police and prove that to them.”

“My lawyers are already on it. I’ve handed over all the communication I’ve had with her and they’re putting together a timeline.” I look up at her. “I’m innocent, Brynn.”

“Iwantto believe you.”

“She won’t stop until she’s taken everything from me. She started with Elise. Now my reputation. Please don’t let her take you from me.”

Brynn stands between my legs and runs her fingers through my hair. “Let me help you.”

“What do you mean?”

She steps back and I see a strength in her she’s kept hidden. “You know what they say. Keep your friends close and enemies closer. I’ll befriend her and let her think she’s turning me against you. She’ll spill all her secrets and when she does, we’ll take her down.”

I’m amazed I never thought of that. But needing to keep her from mistrusting me, I shake my head. “I don’t want you in the middle of the crossfire. I’ll handle her the legal way.”

Her blue eyes brighten and darken altogether. A look of power comes over her. “When someone plays dirty, you can’t expect to remain clean. You need to fight fire with fire.”

“What a fitting analogy,” I mutter. “Fire with fire.”

31

Huxley

The hot water didlittle to ease the tension in my muscles. It would have been more productive to hit the gym and unleash my frustrations on a punching bag. I halt when I see Savannah sitting on the bed, eyeing the gift I bought her. I say nothing as I pull my clothes out of my closet.

I want to ask her where she was and who she was with, despite knowing the answer. I want to see if she dares to lie to me. I want her to apologise for missing yet another dinner date. More than anything, I want her to love me more than she loves this fucking game.

She waves the sex toy at me with a laugh. “Did I miss an anniversary? What have I done to deserve a dildo?”

Feeling no humour, I give her a blank stare. “It’s your new husband.”

Her smile falters. “I don’t get the joke.”

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