Page 123 of Tangled In Lies

“I know you are, baby. But you didn’t have a choice, and I’d never resent you for what happened now that I know the truth.”

I sniffle.

He chews on his lip for a moment. “And you know what? I was able to think about this a bit more levelheaded lately, and I realized something. Whoever is behind those messages could have just made the call himself, so I probably would have ended up in prison regardless.”

My lips part at the revelation, and Phoenix chuckles.

“Between the two of us, or three if you include Holden, we could probably keep a therapist occupied full time.”

“I can’t even tell you how badly I wanted to talk to someone about what happened. When I first told you, thishuge weight dropped off my shoulders, and I wanted to weep in relief. It didn’t take away my guilt or shame, but I guess there’s a reason why people say talking is the best therapy.”

He bumps his nose against mine. “And I’m always here to listen. But I’ll look for someone who can be discreet if you want?”

I nod the second the words are out of his mouth. “I’d like that.”

“Consider it done. Anything you want, and it’s yours. Just say the words.”

My head is spinning with everything that’s happened today. So much, so fast. I feel it’ll take a while to catch up, but I’m okay with that. Because, apparently, we’re in this together.

Phoenix presses his lips to mine but doesn’t linger. “Now you better get some sleep while you can because I’m not done with you yet. Not for a very long time.”

To emphasize his words, his fingers leave my cheek to trail down the length of my body.

He squeezes my butt, and I yelp in surprise, trying to wiggle my way away to head to the bathroom. He follows close behind as I cross the room and lean into the shower to turn it on. Before I can step back, he grasps my hips and tugs me flush against his erection. I close my eyes and moan, moving against him without shame.

Being intimate with him, physically and emotionally, is my new safe space. The one place where I don’t need to think and can get lost in our bodies and how he makes me feel.

His hand snakes around my middle and between my legs, rubbing my clit in lazy circles. The buildup isn’t as fast this time but not any less potent. He pushes me forward with ahand on my back, and when I’m right on the edge of falling over, he thrusts inside me, taking me out of my head and to new places I haven’t visited yet.

“Fuck, you look so good on my cock.” He grabs my hair and yanks my head back so our gazes meet. “I’ll never get enough of you, you hear me?”

Thrust.

“You’re mine.”

Thrust.

“And I will kill anyone who dares to take you away from me.”

Chapter 31

Phoenix

When I open my eyes and find the spot next to me empty, I immediately jump out of bed and grab my gun from the nightstand drawer.

No, no, no. Where is she?

I barely bother putting on my boxers before I yank open the door, ready to take on whoever I have to.

“Whoa. Easy there, tiger.” Holden’s walking down the hallway toward me, lifting his arms.

“Where is she?” I don’t bother telling him whosheis because he knows no one else would evoke this level of panic in me.

“She’s fine . . . and safe.” He nods in the direction of my open bedroom door. “Why don’t you put on some clothes, and I’ll show you.”

I grumble something unintelligible under my breath but do as he says. Since I trust Holden, I stow away the gun and disappear into the bathroom.

Soon after, I join him again, this time fully dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt. He ushers me pastthe closed music room. I stop and stare at the door, but my best friend steers me toward the staircase.

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