Page 148 of The Liar's Reckoning

The day doesn’t drag in the way part of me wishes it would. As much as I need the hours to tick by fast to stop the guessinggame of will he show or won’t he, it’s far too soon when his all-too familiar figure approaches the door I’m paid to open.

He’s not surprised to see me, but he does catch his breath when I meet his gaze.

When he fails to form a word, I nod my head. “Senator.”

His lips part, but still, nothing comes out, and he doesn’t come inside. He’s frozen. He’s got a lot of fucking nerve to act like this means something to him. Good or bad.

“Silas,” he says in a hoarse whisper.

I shake my head. “You don’t know me. Either come inside or be on your way.”

“I—Holden?—”

“I know,” I say through a tense jaw.

“I’m sorry.”

Fuck your apologies.

I gesture to the lobby, giving him even more room to come in if he’s got the balls.

He does. The second he’s inside, I march to the elevator and press the button. “Tenth floor,” I say, heading back to my post.

The chime of the doors opening comes blessedly soon, but as they snick shut, I swear I still feel him. I look up, and he’s standing behind me, staring.

“What? Tenth floor. Did you not hear me the first time?” I’m trying so hard not to be rude. I’m at work, and I need this job—if not for the money, for the benefits.

“I knew you worked here.”

“I gathered that. And yet, here you are.”

“I’m sorry about your mom.”

I stiffen and turn my back on him.How could he know about her?“Please stop talking.”

“I just needed to say that.”

My patience snaps. “Get the fuck away from me.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispers again.

I don’t move a muscle until the elevator shuts again, andI’m finally alone. At which point, I go into the staff restroom behind the elevator bank and slam my fist repeatedly into the metal stall door, leaving a dent the size of my head.

“I havesomething fun we could do this weekend,” Lilah says when I arrive Thursday night for a visit with Gil. This appointment was last minute, which usually means he’s had a bad day, which usually means he’ll fuck me, and I’m more than on board with that. He’s a beast when he tops, and I need it. I need it so bad, I keep looking at the hallway to his room as Lilah’s trying to talk to me.

“There’s a protest I want you to come with me to.”

“A what?”

“A protest. You know that asshole judge they’re trying to appoint in New York? He’ll be at this gross charity event, so the community is organizing to be there and let him know in no uncertain terms New York doesn’t want him.”

“I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

“Well, you will when he gets appointed and starts stripping our rights one by one.”

“I don’t want to go any protests, Lilah. Not my scene. Also, I’m going to Florida this weekend.”

“Ugh. Seriously? This is something we could do together. You could meet some new people—it might not be your scene but it’s afunscene, and it wouldn’t hurt you to take politics more seriously.”

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