Page 54 of Lies Like Love

“What box?”

“Some guys in dress shirts and slacks had a giant box delivered for you this morning. I thought it was a prank, but let me tell you, those guys have no sense of humor.”

“Where is it?”

“Your room.”

“Wonderful.” I climb off the couch, a weight heavy in my chest at the reminder of how easy it is for my family’s world to find me here.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” Maren stands up and takes my hand, nudging me on the shoulder. “Besides, now is as good a time as ever. You’re awfully relaxed this morning. Sure you don’t want to share who you were with?”

My narrowed gaze is my only response.

“Mmm-hmm.” She winks, not letting go of my hand as I make my way to my bedroom.

Sure enough, sitting against one wall is a giant box, made specifically to hang whatever dress my grandparents deemed appropriate for tonight.

I undo the top and the whole front folds down like an accordion, revealing what’s inside. A pale green top and skirt, so soft in tone it’s barely mint. The top part has long sleeves but is cropped to hit me mid-stomach. And the bottom will ride high on the waist to show off a sliver of skin. The fabric is soft, but puffy, sparkling from the gems that cover it.

They might be diamonds, they might not. It doesn’t really matter. The point is that everything about this dress exudes money and status, like the world I was raised in.

“At least it’s pretty.” Maren rests her chin on my shoulder.

“Yeah.” It’s pretty, sparkly, over-the-top.

Everything they want from me, delivered with a bow and a landfill of expectations.

They’re trying to lure me back into their world. And after my night with Jude, I’m tempted to let them.

17

Jude

Sagewalksintothefighters’ locker room and smirks at me. “Want to explain why a certain redhead snuck out of your bedroom this morning in nothing more than one of your T-shirts?”

“She went home wearing just the shirt?”

He nods.

“Fuck.” I rake my fingers through my hair.

Fel was gone when I woke up on the couch this morning—not that I blame her. After watching her come last night, I lost my mind. And everything she taunted me with to push me over the ledge finally tipped me over it.

“So, care to elaborate?” Crew pushes the subject as Sage sets his bag down on the bench. Both of them stand in front of me grinning.

Fight night used to be peaceful. It was a way to release pent-up aggression and not think about shit that was pissing me off. Then these two assholes started tagging along.

First, Sage joined me, which made sense, because the dude is always looking for ways to escape whatever demons rage around in his head. Then Crew came along because he’s a sadist and can’t help but enjoy making people bleed for him.

Now I can’t escape them here or at the parlor.

And as I sit under the harsh glare of their amused judgments I wish I’d never told them about this place. Because the last thing I need to think about right now is Fel or her perfect pussy. Or the look on her face while she came from me grinding over her like a horny teenager.

It was the most right-wrongthing I’ve ever witnessed.

“Well?” Sage pushes.

“No,” I answer flatly. “You care to explain why we’re once again without a front desk girl?”

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