Page 63 of Cruel Lies

I wouldn’t get any answers sitting here running on empty, though. Tomorrow, I could pay the old man a visit, see if he dropped any hints.

It’d been a long ass time since I walked into his home unannounced. The welcome probably wouldn’t be warm.

Still, I had to try something.

My headthunkedon the desk before me, scattering the pile of paperwork. I didn’t bother to even lift my head. I needed the rest, the short period of shuteye. And it wasn’t likely to come when I laid my head on the pillow in my bed. Might as well get the sleep while I could, where I could.

I would call my father in the morning.

When the alarmwent off in my bedroom, it felt like I’d only shut my eyes for a few blissful seconds of respite. But the display on my phone told me I’d been out for a few hours. More than I’d gotten in one stretch in a few days.

We were four days away from the deadline, andif I didn’t figure something out by then, I’d never be able to let her return to her old life. And I couldn’t bear the thought of making her hate me by refusing to let her go.

I’d already screwed up her life once. I couldn’t do that to her again.

It didn’t smell like anyone started coffee, at least not from in here, so I made my way to the door, shuffling like a bear fresh out of hibernation. All at once, I realized something was off.

The kitchen was still dark, the stove empty, and on the couch was a lump of what appeared to be humans?—

"No fucking way."

The words escaped me in a whisper, and I had to bite back the chuckle that attempted to accompany my shocked grin.

Laying on the couch, leaning on each other for pillows, were Angel and Harper, the oil and water of this strange foursome, a bowl of half-eaten popcorn on the coffee table in front of them. Harper’s arm was wrapped around Angel’s torso, her head on his shoulder, long legs kicked out behind her. Angel was letting her use him like a body pillow, his arm slung over her shoulder in a protective embrace.

It was like seeing a flash of the old brother I remembered when we were younger. She was changing us all, one piece at a time, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to the man I was before. I liked the new me. He was financially comfortable, had a home where people didn’t judge him, and was out from under his father’s thumb. I could be who I wanted, do what I pleased, and nobody challenged my authority or questioned my need for structured itineraries or detailed plans.

I couldn’t go back to a normal life.

But it was nice to think that maybe my brothers could regain a shred of their humanity. That they could get back in touch with the true them under the masks they wore each day to deal with the lives we led.

And it was all because of her.

All she was doing to me was making me weaker. But weak man or strong, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I would be weak for her if that’s what it took to keep her around.

Angel shifted, and like she was melded to him, Harper’s body followed. I felt a wave of jealousy roll through me. I didn’t like it. I wasn’t one to get jealous, especially of my fucking brothers. Five damn minutes ago, I was happy for him. Now, all I wanted to do was rip her out of his arms and cart her off to my own bed.

I wanted what he had, even if he didn’t know he had it.

Damn this woman, making us feel things out of our control.

Ihatedto be out of control.

Like a vindictive child, I cleared my throat and set to work in the kitchen, banging around until I saw the pair of them shift around on the couch, grinning when Angel realized how soft he was being and practically jumped away from her like she was a live power wire.

"Fuck me," he spat, slinking out from under her as she continued her downward slump to the cushions.

My grin widened as I turned my back on his fit, cracking eggs into a pan like he would have been doing an hour ago had he not fallen asleep in her arms.

Asshole didn’t even want her. Why was he on the couch with her?

"Morning, sleepyhead." I waited for a response but got none as he stalked right past me and slammed the door to his bedroom behind him. Harper groaned into the couch and curled into a ball, no doubt seeking his heat, upset that the body warming her had moved away. "Hope Harper’s in a better mood than you, pal."

Another groan from the couch, and after a few minutes, she joined me at the stove, a cup of coffee in her hands, a scowl on her lips.

"Oh, hi there, Harper. Nice of you to join me."

I received a grumbled warning in response, and the scowlturned into a snarl of disapproval. "I could have slept another few hours if you hadn’t chased off my heater."

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