Page 8 of Lie to Me

“There’s something I want to show you sometime, would you be up for that?” she asks and I inwardly sigh, knowing I’m going to agree when it’s the very last thing I should be doing.

“Just tell me when and where. I’ll be there.”

Chapter Four

Sloane

Present

Istare up at the structure in front of me. The same building I grew up in, the place that I took my first steps in right alongside Finn. The house that was never a home.Mansionmight be a more accurate description.

It’s been ten years since I’ve stepped foot on this property, and the only reason I’m here now is because my pain in the ass brother has been asking me to come by for the last few weeks. I’ve been back in the city for two months, and I saw him regularly, up until this week when all I’ve done is hide away ever since I saw Marco at the hospital.

The door opening catches my attention and I flick my gaze over to find Kian, my brother’s best friend and right-hand man, smirking at me. He hasn’t changed much in the years I’ve beengone. Any other woman looking up at him who didn’t know him would probably be fucking terrified since he stands at around 6’5 and is built like a linebacker. His dark hair and almost black eyes make him look that much more threatening. Too bad for him, I know he’s nothing but a damn teddy bear underneath it all.

“Planning on coming inside, princess?”

I roll my eyes as I stroll past him and into the foyer.

“He’s in the office,” he calls out from behind me. I head towards what used to be my father’s office, not bothering to stop and look around to see the changes that have been made in the last ten years. I don’t want to be here, so I’m hoping to see Finn then get the hell out of here as quickly as possible.

I don’t bother knocking on the office door before entering, knowing Finn wouldn’t have anybusinesshappening since he knew I was coming.

I find him sitting behind the mahogany desk, frowning at whatever it is he’s looking at on his computer before his head snaps up and he grins at me.

“Sister.” He beams, and I roll my eyes.

“You got me here, are you happy?”

“Goddamn delighted. Why the fuck have you been avoiding me?”

Ah, so he noticed I kinda checked out this week, then.

I pop a shoulder in what I hope appears like a careless shrug as we stare each other down.

We’re twins and share a lot of the same facial characteristics. We’re both blonde with blue eyes, both from our mother, but he got our fathers’ nose and I got his temper. Where I’m quick to fly off the handle, he’s the calm and collected one, just like our mother was. Not sure how the fuck that works when he’s the head of one of the biggest crime syndicates in the city, but whatever.

I don’t know what it is that gives me away, but realization flashes behind his eyes before he gives me a pitying smile.

“You saw him,” he states.

“Yup. He was visiting at the hospital and cornered me in the restroom, asking me to speak to him some time. Though I don’t know what the fuck he thinks we have to talk about. That shit ended ten years ago and is better left in the past.”

He lets out a sigh and clears his throat. “Why don’t you just talk to him and see what he wants?”

“What the fuck? Why would I want to do that?” I ask. He was adamant back then that our relationship would destroy all of us, he even made me promise not to tell Marco that he knew about us.

“Maybe you should hear what he has to say, then he might leave you alone,” he mutters with a shrug, but I do nothing but blink at him.

Is my brother seriously siding with Marco fucking Romano right now? What in the goddamn hell is happening?

“Enough about my love life, what about yours? Seeing anyone lately?” I ask, knowing it’s the best way to change the subject. I grin internally when he glares at me and glances towards the open door.

“You know we don’t talk about that.”

Yeah, I do. Talking about his love life is strictly off limits.

He sighs and stands from his chair, rounding the desk until he stops in front of me and pulls me from my seat. My brother wraps his arms around me, squeezing me in a tight hug.