Page 8 of Tangled In Lies

Michael Simmons, a former investor of my father’s company, walks by, and our gazes collide. His eyes narrow at me, but to my surprise, he stops.

After scanning the crowd around us, he takes a step closer to me. “I’m only doing this because your grandfather was a dear friend of mine. Your father is a cunning man and ruining the company your grandfather had spent most of his life creating. He’s made a lot of enemies, and if you stand by his side, he’ll drag you right to Hell with him.”

I stare at him. “I’m afraid I’m already there, actually have been for the last few years.”

He nods. “Very well. Watch your back then. A lot of people are out for blood.”

Holden and I both watch the old man making his way toward the exit.

He asks, “What was that about?”

I shrug. “No clue. I’m sure he lost a lot of money, like somany others did when the stock prices dropped after my arrest. It created a lot of disgruntled investors.”

Holden hums, knowing my father’s business isn’t my priority at the moment.

My gaze wanders across the room to take in the pretentious crowd as they chitchat their night away. Observing. Searching.

It doesn’t take long for me to findher.

Evangeline’s walking away from her parents, her gaze glued to the phone in her hand. Her friends join her, both talking to her, as she points to the hallway on the opposite side of the room. Mason rubs her lower back in small circles, and she leans into him. Next to her, Ruby takes Evangeline’s hand, and the three of them make their way through the throng of people.

Something hard presses against my chest.

I stare down at Holden’s arm keeping me in place.

Hetsksin my ear. “Easy there, tiger. It won’t help you if you make a scene right now. You’ll get your hands on her soon enough. Stick to the plan.”

An edgy, twitchy feeling overtakes my body, but I force myself not to react.

Holden moves his arm up to my shoulder, still keeping a tight grip on me. “Let’s get out of here before we need a body bag.”

His previous words are in my head on repeat and the only reason why I let him drag me out of here.

You’ll get your hands on her soon enough.

Chapter 3

Evangeline

The door slams into the wall, but I don’t slow down. I push my way into the restroom and into the large enclosed stall at the end. My breaths are coming in fast and shallow as I pace back and forth in the space.

“Shit.” Ruby’s voice filters through the thin wall.

“What the hell is going on?” Mason hisses. “I thought this was supposed to be Evie’s birthday party and not some fucked-up reunion with the ex-con.”

“Mason, will you shut up?”

He makes a frustrated sound. “What? I’m just saying it like it is. I’m not even sure who the biggest asshole is tonight after that little stunt her dad pulled with Phoenix. Even though, did you see the guy Phoenix stood with when we left? He looks like that thing?”

Ruby sighs. “What thing?”

“You know, The Fantastic Four Thing.”

“Oh my God. Do you mean Ben Grimm? His name isTheThing, not that thing.”

“Whatever.”

Their ridiculous argument is enough to distract me for a moment, but then my thoughts grow louder. Seeing Phoenix was bad enough, but what made it a million times worse was Freddy’s text message I received minutes ago.

---