Page 93 of Vengeful Lies

“You threatened the legitimacy of my fiancée. I’ve come to show you that no one else is so perfectly matched for me. That, and she’s a good shot, so the next time you feel the need to come over and threaten her, I’ve given her permission to deal with it accordingly,” I say to my father.

Jewel’s eyes go wide as the footage begins to play. It starts with the casual chatter, and then all hell breaks loose, me laughing as I’m being dragged off by two men.

My mother is worriedly glancing over at me. Most likely because of the way I like to, as my father says, “play games.” He’s lectured me about this a time or two. I’d become better at refraining from instigating them, but tonight, I needed to torment my prey a little.

I stroke my thumb over Jewel’s leg as she stares at the screen, and she looks a shade paler. I wonder if she’s ever seen herself in action. The reality of how gruesome it is to take a life. Or to the lengths she would go to protect me. More importantly, how well we work as a team.

Just as I give her the signal, she smiles and then pulls out her gun. This is who she is, just as much as I am.

A hunter.

A killer.

Beautiful.

“Oh, you are good with guns,” Mother says, mesmerized. That’s when Jewel looks at my parents. Where she might’ve thought there would be judgment, all she sees is approval. Not that anyone could ever tell by my father’s expression, but there’s definitely a hint of respect there.

“Do you think you should threaten the same woman who chooses to use her gun to save me rather than take an easy shot to take me out? Does that disprove your previous thoughts?” I direct the questions to my father.

Jewel tenses up, and I weave my fingers between hers, knowing why because I’m burying us deeper into our lie.

But a fabricated truth is what will get her down the aisle, and from there, I’ll figure out a way to make her stay. The last thing I need is my father looking into my affairs and doubting my abilities right before he hands me the last of the business.

“Apologize right now, Crue,” my mother demands.

No one can make my father apologize but my mother. And he usually won’t unless it’s to her.

The hint of a smirk touches his lips. “She’s a very good shot. But you’re as reckless as ever. What happened to Hawke and Ford following you everywhere?”

“Crue!” My mother jumps to her feet, furious.

He raises his hand, signaling her to let him continue. “I’ll apologize for threatening you, Jewel,” he says sincerely. “But you, my son, need to stop being so reckless and going into these situations on your own. It only takes one time to have yourself killed.”

“I’m not a child,” I snap. “How many times have you ‘dealt’ with things on your own? How many times did you return bleeding and have Mom worried? I don’t need this lecture from you! And besides, I wasn’t alone; Jewel was with me.”

My father’s jaw goes tight. “I will always protect this family and our name, but I won’t do anything crazy just to make a point.”

That’s a fucking lie. I’ve heard stories of how he used to act in the early days after taking over New York. I’m certain he and I probably aren’t so different in our way of thinking. But he’s pushing me, and I don’t fucking like it.

I stand and bring Jewel with me, our hands joined. “In less than two weeks, you will be signing everything over to me, as we discussed and agreed upon. I’m sorry if you don’t like my methods, but they’re turning in plenty of profit. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a wedding to plan.”

“Wait, Eli!” my mother calls out after us. She follows us to the door. “I know your father doesn’t always express himself well, but he only wants the best for you. For both of you.” I can sense Jewel locking up again. “But I agree with him. Just please be a little more careful. No matter how invincible you think you are, it only takes one bullet to finish it. We love you.”

A tiny sliver of guilt pricks me, and I take her hand and squeeze it gently. “I know, Mom.”

I shove down the guilt because it has no place here or in my plans for the future. I might be lying to them about Jewel’s background, but I’m not lying about how I have every intention of making her my wife and taking over the business entirely. That is the complete truth.

When we return to the car, Jewel is biting the skin around her nails. I don’t ask her about it because I know exactly why she’s uncomfortable. I’m weaving her tighter into my family affairs. As close as I pull her, I still have the sense that she’s going to run. And that fucking terrifies me.

CHAPTER 49

Jewel

Iattempt to glare holes into Hawke and Ford, who are sitting at their usual booth. It’s been four days since Eli dragged me into his “Shootout so I can rule the world” date. He’s been glued to me during the night and fucking me in every hole available ever since. Every time I think about killing him while we fuck, he seems to dominate me even more, as if instinctually sensing the switch within me.

“Is there a reason why they’re coming in every day?” Sage asks as we lean against the counter. After the incident at the Chinese restaurant, I owed her an explanation, not some half-twisted cover-up, because after being in that situation, she deserved to know the truth. That, and I realized during that ordeal how much I valued her as… a friend. I was certainly ready to fight to the death to protect her that night.

And in some ways, I’m grateful for Sage. Coming to this restaurant and talking with her makes things feel normal during the day, as it distracts me from the chaos happening in my life.

---