Page 43 of Gilded Lies

Danika drags in a deep breath through his nostrils as if fighting to maintain control over his anger.

Around me the bronze scones and heavy century-old crystal chandeliers dim. This is my chance. Taut string strike chords and the symphony hits its first note of Bach.

I use the shadows and cling to the walls. There will be no easy escape. But I have to try.

“Magnolia,” Rune and Danika call after me. “Don’t run. You won’t get far. Come back to us.”

“Ha. Nope! It’s my new favorite word alongside bastards. No. Make that rat bastards.”

Moonlight breaks through open windows. Light catches on the green of Rune’s eyes.

My mouth silently falls open as the men prowl toward me. I duck down a corridor and head into another one, the delicate ends of my dress clutched in my hands. This can’t be happening. I’ve gone off the deep end and I’ve lost my fucking mind.

“Magnolia, this is it, girl. This time tomorrow you will be heavily sedated and locked away for your own good.”

Double French doors hang wide open at the end of the corridor. Gauzy white curtains lazily flutter in the breeze. Moonlight reveals there’s not a soul on the other side. I can hook a right and be in Raja’s office within ten paces.

“It’s a good plan. Get a barrier between me and these bastards.”

“Who are you talking to,amore mio?”

A shadow moves, blocking out the natural light of the moon. I screech to a halt, the spike of my heel catching on the carpet. I tug it free and smack at hands when they come out to reach for my elbow.

“Magnolia.”

Uncontrollable rage shoots through me.

“No!” I grit out and hope the lasers shooting out of my eyes slice Oliver’s heart from his chest.

Warm brown eyes latch onto mine. Tousled brown hair. Clean jawline.

“Oliver.”

The black material of his tuxedo contours to his thick arms and fits his tall frame perfectly. I remember every swirl of ink and every scar beneath all that expensive material. Pure freaking muscles carved out of granite.

And I hate that about me.

“So, youarealive. I wondered. For a full solid three weeks I thought there was no way you would ghost me. The first week I visited your building worried to death something happened. I was human. Sorry about that.” My sarcasm turns his expression from grim to dangerous. I don’t care. They want to intrude on my territory then they get what they deserve. The truth hurts and I’m going to make sure I draw blood.

“You know, at first they told me you were out of town. Okay. But then you deleted our messages. And if that wasn’t bad enough,the manager or whoever you put there to kindly tell me to fuck off told me just that. He should get a raise for breaking a heart that only cared for other human beings. But whatever. By week three I got the message loud and clear when I dared come by one more time in a moment of weakness. That time, I got a gun in my face. You wanted nothing to do with me.” I raise a hand and salute Oliver as a fuck you too.

“That’s not true.”

I have every right to want to see this man dead, but all I can do is stare at Oliver.

“No one would dare put a gun in your face.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “Ask your doorman. The one with the scruff of a beard that has bald patches. Believe me, I have a long memory and it’s reminding me right now just how much I hate the three of you.”

I shove at Oliver’s chest when he steps in close and mixes our body heat. It’s just me and him in a long empty corridor. Nothing but dimmed lights and ten empty rooms on either side of us. I swivel my head and see we won’t be alone for much longer. The other two are slowly making their way down the corridor. Probably wanting to give me time with Oliver.

As far as I am concerned, I’ve said my piece and I’m ready to get back to work.

Then why does your chest hurt so damn much?

“Magnolia,” Oliver draws out, savoring my name on his tongue. The allure of falling into his arms even now after all they did to me is strong. It’s hard to just wash away the love you have for another human being.

“Lia, I missed you. Please give us a chance to explain.”

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