Page 40 of Vengeful Lies

I glance in Eli’s direction as he knocks on the door. Michelle has a charming three-story apartment on the water. She has good taste; I’ll give her that. She probably didn’t have to work a day in her life to get it, though.

I don’t think Eli is one to apologize, but his father has a good relationship with Michelle’s father, so he’s most likely doing this out of respect. Not that I think Eli understands the meaning of the word.

In my peripheral view, I watch as she opens the door, surprised but delighted to see him. She immediately reaches for him, attempting to wrap her arms around his neck to pull him in, but he stops her.

I don’t like the ugly smugness that rises within me, knowing that if I weren’t in the picture, he would be up there fucking her.

Turning away because I don’t like the way that makes me feel, I look back down at my phone. Michelle’s voice raises, and she starts yelling at him. I ignore it.

I even contemplate calling Craig tonight since he’s the only one who cares about my whereabouts or if I’m alive. Though if he knew about my current shitty predicament, I know he’d come to town looking for me himself.

My life is not interesting. I have no one to share it with. I wonder if that’s exactly why Eli chose me. We only have to convince his family. I’m discardable. The moment I’m in the equation, I’ll be out of it, and no one will think twice about it.

“Her?” Michelle yells furiously, stepping partway between her apartment door and the car. She looks at me in disbelief and then at Eli as if he’s gone completely mad. I hate that I agree with her on that until I don’t like how the bitch scrunches up her nose in disgust when she looks at me again. Then Eli moves, so he’s blocking her view of me.

“Her? Really, Eli, you could do better. What could she possibly offer you that my family can’t?”

Eli looks over his shoulder at me as if inquiring if I’ll defend myself. I don’t give a flying fuck what she thinks or says. Ain’t my drama. I look back at my phone, but the moment he turns to speak to her again, I peek over my phone at them. I can’t fucking help myself. I just wish I had popcorn. Instead, I pick at some cold fries.

“Michelle, you knew this was temporary. It was never going to work out. I liked to fuck you, that’s all.” Her mouth opens in shock, and then her hand goes to her hip as she pins him with a glare. I totally should not be here for any of this.

“Fuck me? You did more than fuck me, you asshole.” I can’t help but laugh at the use of the word asshole. Does everyone in his life call him that? “You think that’s funny? You steal my man and think that’s funny?”

“You can have him,” I say around a mouthful of cold fries, knowing it pisses her type off epically.

“Now, Kitten, we don’t share, remember. Or do you have to learn that lesson again?” Eli says with a raised brow.

Is that why he’s doing this dramatic breakup thing in front of me? To show me… loyalty? Monogamy? I almost choke on a fry. Me. Him. The two people in the world who are not built for that shit.

“You know he only fucked me a few weeks ago, right? And now you’re engaged to him! Have you no shame?” she screams as she takes a few steps forward.

I pin Eli with a stare. What would a good wifey be expected to do at this moment? Because right now, I want to break her precious little nose if only to dull the headache she’s creating.

“I’m aware,” is all I say.

She scoffs. “Well, it won’t last because you have nothing to offer the Monti family.” She glares at Eli with tear-reddened eyes. “And then you’ll come crawling back, and I might not be so nice as to take you back.” She flips her long hair over hershoulder and walks toward the security guard, who now hovers at the door.

I wonder if she actually did love him and if I was just involved in breaking her heart. Then again, she never made a fuss abouthimleaving her but made a deal about theMonti family.

“Stop looking at her like that,” Eli says as he approaches the car, seemingly unfazed.

“Did you care for her at all?” I ask as he comes to close my door.

“I liked to fuck her. Care? That’s a strong word. I care for my family, that’s it.”

“So you wouldn’t care if I walked in there right now withyourgun and shot her point blank in the head?”

He scratches the stubble along his jaw contemplatively. A devilish smile works his lips as he leans into the car, his lips inches from mine.

“Would you fuck me after?”

I scoff at him. “No.”

He shrugs and says, “Worth a shot,” before closing the door.

When he reappears and sits in his seat, I say, “You have no shame.”

He seems amused by that until I put my feet on the dash to feel more comfortable, and all his humor vanishes. “Remove your feet from my dash at once.”

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