Page 1 of Addicted Lies

CHAPTER 1

Billie

One year ago

He’s across from me, the one who always stares and rarely speaks but will happily take any of the candies I have on me—sometimes without so much as a “thank you.” I never know what he’s thinking, though the others around him are slightly easier to read—in an unhinged way—since I grew up with them.

I know all of these men as well as anyone who’s related or married to them. The one I’m closest with, who just so happens to be the bane and cause of my non-existent love life, is my brother, Dutton. He has issues with men being around me in any context. If a man talks to me, by the next day, he’s actively avoiding walking within my vicinity. If someone asks me on a date, they’re suddenly nursing a ghastly wound. If someone touches me… Well, there have been instances which they don’t reappear. At all.

He’s even advised the two men currently escorting me out of my cousin’s home that if they touch me, he’ll kill them. And they’refriends.So, yeah, I’m royally fucked. He treats me like a child, and my father seems to have no issues with it, going so far as to encourage the barbaric behavior. I’m glad for once he’s preoccupied in Italy for work while I’m home from college for a few weeks.

“Okay, little tornado, I think it’s time we send you back to your palace where you’re nice and snug and where no one can touch you,” Hawke jokes as he throws an arm around my shoulder and pulls me in. I glare at him because I know ordinarily he doesn’t make a habit of touching me, although he does it on purpose sometimes in order to antagonize my brother.

Hawke is the bulkier of the twins, spending way too much time hitting the gym and less on his intellect. The guy’s a moron, but maybe I’m biased. Ford’s body is leaner, but there’s something about him that just sucks me in, like a mysterious vortex. I’ve always been curious to see what I might find if I could peel back his layers. Both of them are heavily tattooed and give off a dangerous vibe, so much so that most people stay clear of them.

“No, I want to go out,” I say, stomping my foot. I’ve already had a few drinks, and I’m not ready to go home yet.

Ford looks up from his phone for what seems like the first time since being here. His dark brown, almost black eyes seem to stare straight through me, and it’s unsettling. “We’re not taking you out. Are you trying to get us killed?”

Hawke laughs. “Come on, little tornado wants to have some fun before big bro comes and spoils it all.”

“I never invited you,” I say to Ford as he intently watches me fish a lollipop out of my handbag. I can sense the shift in his mood the moment I do. It’s almost like rewarding a dog. He’ll really do anything for sweets. “But say if I were to tag along with you two, I’m sure a few hours might be okay, right?”

He stares at the lollipop in my hand as I step closer to him with a knowing smile. The deadly atmosphere doesn’t change around him, but I already know he’s a goner. These two men are lethal, but not to me. They both work for my cousin, Eli, who is now the head of the Monti family, but I’ve never once feared them, especially when I’m offering candy.

“You think a lollipop can bribe me?” Ford asks.

“You’ve never turned down any of the sweets I’ve offered you,” I say as I pop a hand on my hip. “I’ve been super stressed at college. Please let me just have this one night while Dutton is out of town.”

Ford looks at me—really looks at me—as if it’s the first time he’s seeing me. I puff out my chest, trying to make myself look bigger next to his six-foot-two height. His large, callused hand wraps around the lollipop. “Do you have more of those in your bag?”

Little does he know I always carry a packet around with me. At first, they were my favorite snacks when I was studying, but I always carry a bag now when I’m hanging with the twins because I find it amusing that such a scary guy enjoys sucking on lollipops. “More than you can ever imagine,” I reply with a smile. “So, where are we going, boys?”

“Boxers.” Hawke laughs as he slings his arm over my shoulder again and leads me toward the car. I sit in the back seat as Ford drives silently, lollipop hanging out of his mouth. I really can’t believe it’s that easy to convince a guy like him to agree to my bidding.

I look down at my phone and message the guy I’ve been texting with since returning to Manhattan. I only want one thing: Fun.

When I glance up, I notice Ford looking at me in the rearview mirror as his brother flips through songs.

“Have you asked for permission?” Ford asks, obviously having watched me this entire time on my phone.

I pocket my cell as I tell him, “I don’t need to. Dutton may think he’s in charge of me, but he’s not. He’s my brother, not my father.” I flick my hair over my shoulder. Even my father’s not that meddling. My brother is just overbearing and protective. I’m almost twenty-three, for fuck’s sake. I can do what I want.

Hawke passes me a bottle from the front. I frown at it and look at the label. Whiskey. Can’t say I’ve ever really liked the stuff, but I defiantly take a swig. Fuck these guys. I’m sick of people thinking I’m this dainty little princess.

I choke on the harsh burn but take a second sip for extra measure.

Hawke applauds, actually fucking claps like a clown. “Little tornado is going to make a mess tonight.”

I roll my eyes as I pass the bottle back to him. I might think he’s a dumbass, but I really like Hawke; he’s never treated me any differently because of my brother’s influence. And I like the nickname little tornado. He always calls me that because I’m so easily wound up—mostly because of my brother.

I remember the first time I met the twins; it was years ago now. While Dutton and Eli have been friends with them for much longer, I was banned from hanging around his friends even though I saw them all the time. It was only when I turned eighteen and begged to go to the adult parties, that I started meeting people. My parents gave me a pretty sheltered life. Considering our high-profile family, I was sent to private school, and despite how my brother was, I never went behind my parents’ back, never snuck out—never had the need to.

Now, it feels like a bright new world has opened up to me. And even though I’m rarely involved in anything the family does, my brother absolutely hates it and tries to shield me from it. I’m kind of addicted to it, though. So, anytime I come home from college, I love to see what everyone is doing.

By the time we arrive at the club, it’s fair to say I’m drunk. Hawke jumps out of the car, immediately clasping hands with the bouncer. I look down at my phone, waiting for a response from the guy who is most likely going to be a disappointing fuck tonight, but at least it’s something. I haven’t received anything back.

I sigh, and as I go to open my door, Ford opens it for me. I adjust my green bodycon dress as I step out. He’s dressed in black jeans and a black long-sleeve shirt that’s pushed up his arms, exposing a few of his tattoos. I can’t help but look at them and wonder how he does them himself. I’ve never seen him do it, but I heard that’s what he does—tattoo people. And it’s especially hard not to notice the one across his throat that readsBad to the Bone. I’d probably laugh if he wasn’t so ridiculously hot, in an I-definitely-should-not-touch-this-man kind of way.

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