Page 62 of Beautiful Liar

Rumor gave him a sideways glance, the space between his brow folded, before he shook his head and returned his attention to me. “Challenging an heir paints you as a target. I’ll deal with Constance if she touches Henry.”

He arched a brow.

“I can play the part of psycho mafia heir better than the psycho mafia heir that’s actually a psycho.”

“Luca,” Fox stated the obvious. “He’s playing us. I don’tlike his olive branch. And why did he just slip it into Tomás’s pocket. How the fuck did he get close enough?” Fox shook his head. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t trust Tomás?” Graham asked.

Fox looked at me. “No. I’ve never trusted him. But I got nothing solid.”

I bit my lip to keep from saying anything, but I respected my brothers. And they had to know they could be honest with me without losing my shit.

“You have to admit that it feels like he’s hiding something,” Fox said. He wasn’t wrong.

“Well, let’s try to stick with facts before we make assumptions,” I shot back.

“That’s why he’s still breathing,” Fox said, leaning so far back in his chair I wanted to push him to the floor. I didn’t.

“Luca knows about Tomás and me,” I said. “He has pictures. Apparently, Cillian had those pictures too. They were taken here at Arcadia.”

Fox swore. “And now you bring this up?”

“Luca left the pictures scattered on my bed while you were sleeping.” I shoved his feet off the table and he almost fell but caught his balance. “It may have been Jack who took the pictures. We’ll never really know. Anything else anyone wants to put out on the table before we discuss plans on how to keep each other alive?” I paused for a few seconds. No one said anything. I went on. “I believe Henry will be okay collared by Constance, but I’ll keep an eye out on him. With that, I believe Constance will make a play for Charity and since Charity is under our protection, I want Wren with her. Micah will go in with River. And Fox…” I turned to Fox. I knew he didn’t trust Tomás, but I trusted both of them with my life. And Tomás was a part of my life.

Fox rolled his eyes. “If I get stabbed in the back, I’mblaming you.”

I gave him a look.

“Fine. Yes. I’ll protect your pup.”

For the next several hours we pored over the castle’s map. A body dump site, the castle was a graveyard by definition. Built into the side of the mountain, its rotting structure posed more of a threat than the fuckers after us. A series of unchartered catacombs stretched for miles under the castle.

“Ashton is an idiot. He’ll attack during the chaos, but he won’t approach us in a one-on-one fight. Once we get inside the castle, we should be fine. We stay in twos, and don’t, under any circumstances, venture into the catacombs. Make sure everyone understands.” I said this to Fox who nodded grimly.

“The heirs are scheduled to head to the castle earlier with our collared. I’ll take Dasher and Henry with me. Anything else?”

No one spoke.

“Then let’s rest up. We have a long day tomorrow.”

Tor, Rumor, and Graham walked out leaving me and Fox alone. My body felt so fucking tired. Thinking about Tomás, without me.

“You kept saying we, as if you plan on leaving your post with Dasher.”

“He’ll be safe, Fox. I gave you my word.”

He sighed. “I’ll keep Tomás safe, Kieran. But I don’t trust him. Something between him and Luca just doesn’t add up.”

“Then we’ll find facts after the event. Okay?”

He nodded, lips pressed, and walked out.

The house was quiet. Everyone had either left, or found a spot to crash in. Tired, I trudged up the stairs, pausing outside Tomás’s bedroom door. Had he stayed? Did he prefer to be as far away from me as possible? He had broken down with regret after I caught him beating up the mannequin after dinner andall I wanted to do was help him. To ease his suffering. To lift some of the weight he carried. But he still refused to give me anything. And the worst of it was that I knew he thought he was protecting me. And I couldn’t hate him the way I wanted to. I needed him. As attested by the fact that I wanted him to be in his room waiting for me. But when I opened the door, there was nothing but remnants he’d left behind. An echo of our short time together. Him gone.

I had to get a damn grip. The most important thing right now was survival. I opened my door, and my breath got caught in my throat.

Tomás was lying on my bed, curled on his side, his hand under his cheek. He looked so fucking adorable. I closed the door behind me and slipped quietly into the bathroom. After I finished my routine of cleaning up and checking my insulin, I sat beside him and ran my hand through his tangle of curls on his face.

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