Page 82 of Tangled In Lies

I shuffle toward it and sit. “Let’s do this.”

She starts with my hair, turning it into soft waves pinned into a half updo. My makeup is next, with dramatic eyes and red lips. It’s a classic style that never gets old.

Either Jo isn’t in the mood to chitchat tonight, or she’s reading my vibes spot-on.

I let her work in silence, and she helps me into my dress once she’s finished.

Her smile is genuine. “Absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you, Jo.”

She grabs her bag and watches me put on my earrings. “Have fun tonight, okay? I’ll see you next week.”

I chuckle. “I’ll try my best. Thanks.”

She winks at me and wheels her trolley out the door.

I take a moment and glance at the engagement ring on my finger, at its absolute beauty, trying hard to forget this ring is undoubtedly the most beautiful and thoughtful gift anyone’s ever given me. Of course, it had to come from Phoenix.

With a sigh, I gather my clutch and phone and leave.

The hallway is empty when I walk toward the staircase and slowly down in my heels.

The front door opens, and Holden slips inside. He immediately spots me and whistles like the charmer he is. The noise echoes around the high ceilings of the foyer, and I shake my head at his behavior.

“You look beautiful, Princess.”

I smile back at him. “Thank you.”

He points a thumb behind him toward the front door. “Phoenix is already outside. He was helping me find something, but we didn’t have any luck. I’ll go check in my office quickly. Be right back.”

I watch him head toward the hallway to the right. The instant I step off the bottom step, my phone vibrates in my hand. I continue and unlock my screen to check the message.

My gaze immediately zeroes in on the name.

Freddy.

The phone shakes in my hand as my brain is trying to make sense of the words on the screen.

Freddy

What a shame to have that beautiful black car blown to pieces in a minute. Your fiancé could be gone alongside it, solving all of your problems at once. Decisions, decisions. Tick-tock, pet.

Blown to pieces.

Blown to pieces.

Fiancé gone.

Oh my God.

“Phoenix. No, no, no.” My voice reaches ear-piercing levels, and I sprint to the door as fast as possible.

“Phoenix.”

I yank the door open, half aware of Holden shouting something behind me. I don’t want him anywhere near this right now, but I don’t have the time to explain things or to tell him to stay away.

“Phoenix. Bomb,” I yell through the gap in the door, the hardwood of it pressing against my shoulder as I push through the narrow space before it’s fully open.

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