Page 28 of Lies Like Love

All it took was seeing her again to remind me that when it comes to her, I’d rather do what’s wrong.

Girl is glue.

I don’t mind it.

Damn it.

Escaping her pull was hard enough the first time around, I’m not sure how to do it again. My need to protect her when I was younger has only grown over the years. And sitting here in front of my father, I’m sure there’s a bigger game that’s far from over. It makes me want to lock Fel in a cage and keep her to myself so they can’t hurt her again.

Only I’m allowed to do that.

“From what her grandparents shared with me, she wanted space,” Dad says, finally answering my question.

“They don’t take it seriously?”

“Of course not.” He breathes out a chuckle. “Spoiled little rich girls don’t actually want freedom. They want attention. The second things get hard she’ll come running back to them. It’s only a matter of time before her mom’s money runs out, and she’ll do what they expect.”

“Which is what?”

“Got me.” But his grin says otherwise.

“Why do you seem so happy about all this?”

More like, why does he care?

I’ve wondered many times why her grandparents never cut him out of their lives after what he did, but I never thought about what he was getting out of it. And something about his joy in seeing me sitting in front of him asking him these questions makes me nervous.

Dad plays people like pawns, striking long before people figure out what game they’re playing. It’s where I learned it.

“Don’t get too attached, Jude. We both know how that ends.” He pushes his chair back and stands.

“This isn’t the same.” I stand to meet him, looking him straight in his cold, dark eyes. “You don’t control me anymore, and I’ll make damn sure they stay far away from her.”

“Don’t pretend you’re the better option.” Dad focuses his gaze. “Felicity may be in the dark about what you did, but you aren’t the only one who knows the truth. It doesn’t matter what was right or wrong. You pushed her mother over the ledge and she’ll never forgive you. You’ll always be her villain, like it or not.”

“Takes one to know one.” I push my chair in and turn away, my stomach clenching.

I’m not sure why I came here thinking I’d get answers. My father was always a master of manipulation. And even if he’s behind bars now, it’s not for the reasons he should be. Embezzlement was the least of the evil this man’s done in his life. He was just careful enough to not get caught red-handed with the rest of it.

I should be relieved. He’s locked in here with no chance of getting out anytime soon. If only I didn’t sense him still pulling strings from his prison cell. Using me or Fel’s grandparents, or anyone who will listen.

For what?

Invisible chains are tightening. Hooks that latch Fel to her previous life when she thinks she’s free like me. She isn’t. Dad all but confirmed it. They’re loosening the leash just enough to make it her decision when she returns.

I just don’t know what their plan is for her once she finally does.

“Why am I here again?”

“You’re my son.” Dad adjusts his suit jacket, before ringing the bell.

This house is ridiculous—a compound really. Bleeding with overindulgence and money that could be spent on better things. And it’s still a downgrade from mine and Dad’s.

“Bringing your son on your dates now?”

Dad’s glare cuts my direction. He knows I’m trying to piss him off because I hate when he drags me along to shit like this. I hate that he pretends to care and wants me to do the same. I hate that no one around him sees through it.

“Behave, Jude.”

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