Page 146 of The Liar's Reckoning

“Mixed bag,” I reply.

“So you’re not running again?” she asks, and I hear the note of hope in her voice.

I give her a flat look, and she responds with pursed lips. “Daddy’s boy.”

“Fuck off.”

She laughs, and it sounds so easy coming from her. I wish my parents could see her now, but she won’t allow it. I don’t blame her. When they turned their back on her, she did the same, also lifting a big middle finger to the church.

My father hasn’t said a word about her being here, which he has to know with the way he keeps tabs on me. Still, he’s never brought it up. I can’t even begin to understand it, and I have toassume he hasn’t told Mom, because there’s no way she wouldn’t want to see her daughter and the only grandchildren she has. Right? Or is that just one more thing I’m telling myself to justify my obedience and stay sane?

Although, one could argue my relative sanity. Theresa certainly would. She thinks I made a mistake capitulating. That I gave up Silas too easily. But when I ask her what I could have done differently, she’s got no answer for me except to do what she did. Say fuck it all and leave.

But look how that turned out.

It’s the thing I think but never say.

The thought of my family turning their backs on me makes me hyperventilate. I may be a prisoner, but the accommodations are comfortable enough.

“What’s he up to tonight?” she asks.

“Dad?”

She gives me a knowing look.

I sigh. I hate how well she reads me. “He’s at his apartment.”

“Which means you’ll be checking your phone the rest of the night.”

“Only a few more hours,” I tell her. If he hasn’t gone out by ten, he’ll likely stay home.

“Fun. Well, do you want to play a few rounds of Go Fish while we wait for the pizza?”

“I have more calls to make,” I tell her. “Sorry.”

“If you say so.” She rises. “Don’t work too hard. It’s movie night, and you’re welcome to join.”

“Thanks. We’ll see. But let me know when the pizza gets here.”

“You look like you need a hug.”

I’m sure I do. And I accept the one she offers while I’m still in my chair. She squeezes me tight and kisses my cheek. “I’m here if you need to talk.”

“I can’t take you seriously in this outfit,” I tell her.

Because the thing is, I already know what she’ll say. She’s team Break Free. The lone but very loud voice on that side. But she’s not loud enough to drown out the obligation I feel. The loyalty ingrained in me since birth. Family first and always.

And only.

45

SILAS

Holden FuckingLawtheris the newest resident of The Eastmoor. He’s basically what Graham would look like if Graham were fifty pounds heavier and two inches taller. He’s even got a mole on his cheek—it’s the other cheek and it’s lower than Graham’s, but the tug I feel in my gut meeting him the first time is excruciating.

He’s got a hearty handshake and a broad smile for a rich Wall Street guy. Even his wife reminds me of Avery. Thin, blonde, pretty—a trophy with a chatty streak. Unlike Avery, she looks like she belongs here and always has. I have to assume she also comes from money. Her name is Blake, so…it stands to reason.

She’s pregnant, too. It’s a lot for me to take in during the first hour of my Saturday shift.

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