Page 11 of Pretty Lies & Ugly Truths

I nod once, before letting go, instantly missing the feeling of her soft skin on mine.

That’s not a good sign. I shouldn’t be this affected by just holding her hand. It’s one thing to be curious about her, but it could never be more than that.

For this to work, I will have to keep my distance. Allowing myself to get too close will only serve to put her further in danger.

If anyone from my past life were to show up here and find her with me, it would put a target on her back. My involvement in her life is last thing she needs, but despite all that I can’t make myself walk away.

I put a little distance between us, needing a minute to clear my head of her intoxicating cherry almond scent. I look down to watch as a drop of blood rolls down the bare skin of her leg from a deep scrape on her knee.

My body trembles with barely restrained anger as I follow the path of that crimson drip all the way down to her ankle.

“What—?” she starts, following my gaze. “Oh…” Realization sinks in, and she looks around as if searching for something to use to wipe it away.

I reach in my pocket pulling out a square handkerchief.

She reaches out to take it from me but hesitates when I don’t immediately hand it over. Instead, I drop to my knee, not caring that I’m ruining my most expensive suit.

“Here. Please, let me,” I say, waiting for her nod, before running the soft silk up her slender leg, dabbing lightly at the cuts on her knees. I bask in the way her body trembles under my simple touch, and I can’t help but wonder how responsive she would be if I were to touch her in not so innocent ways.

“Thanks again, uh…”

“Archer,” I say.

“Thanks again, Archer,” she says, holding out her hand. “I’m Maggie,” she offers, and I pretend to not already know that. I stand, taking her proffered hand.

“You're welcome, Maggie.”

“Look…I own that club over there,” I tell her, pointing just a little down the street to an unassuming brick building, “Why don’t you come with me, and you can use my bathroom to get cleaned up?” I offer.

Port is a private club I purchased with Jayce, shortly after he tracked me down to the little shithole, I waswasting away in. Once it became clear he wasn’t going to go away—despite my many attempts to get rid of him—I decided if we were both going to remain here instead of returning home to Massachusetts then we needed something to occupy our time and bring in a little money.

We found this small bar for sale down by the river, turned it into an upscale lounge and have been running it together ever since. Not exactly what I envisioned for myself, but it pays the bills, and it’s something I enjoy well enough.

She studies me warily, and I hold my hands up in front of me.

“Look I swear I’m not trying anything. I just figured you might want somewhere private to wash up. That’s all.”

She looks down at herself, her nose wrinkling as she takes in her disheveled appearance.

“Oh God.” I hear her groan under her breath, obviously just noticing the remnants of pink vomit on her yellow dress.

“What about him? Shouldn’t we call the cops?” she asks, looking over at the piece of shit still knocked out cold.

I have no intention of giving him over to the police, but she doesn’t need to know that. I do, however, need to get him out of here soon before someone gets too nosey, and realizes he’s not just another drunk who had one too many.

The faster I can get her taken care of, the better.

“Yes. Of course. I can call them from inside.”

“But…what if he gets away?” she asks, worry in her tone.

“I can assure you he won’t be waking up anytime soon,” I tell her, knowing it’s pure luck I didn’t already kill the guy with how hard I slammed his head into that wall. I would say he’d be lucky if he wakes at all, but with what I have planned for him, he will certainly wish the blow did kill him.

She glances over at him one more time, biting down on the corner of her lip before turning back to me.

“Okay,” she says, following close behind me.

We enter the low-lit bar, and I guide her between the glass tables in the dining area, up the stairs past the bar that runs along the back wall, before leading her down the narrow hallway to my office.

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