Page 65 of Web of Lies
"No, you don't. That would mean giving up Evelyn. And we both know you'd never do that." Noah falls silent, narrowing his eyes at me. "Speaking of my beloved future sister-in-law." At that, Noah’s brows shoot up. "How did she react when she found out I’m the Butcher?"
"Better than I expected."
"Really?" I cock an eyebrow. "I figured she’d lose her mind about yet another secret."
"No. Given that she already knew about Mom, she said it made perfect sense; it was either Dad or you."
"And she is okay with it?"
"You’re still allowed in this house, aren’t you? Safe to say she’s okay with it." His shoulders lift in a casual shrug as he turns his attention back to the pool table. "She couldn't care less about what you do in your free time or what you do business-wise, as long as you don't include me in any of it."
"Will she ever let that go?"
"No," his answer is quick and blunt. "I almost died. She’ll never let that go." He huffs, pulls the cue back, and smacks the ball. The sharp click echoes through the basement, followed by the solid thud of a ball dropping into the pocket. "Are you scared of her?"
"I respect her."
"You better." He looks at me, a thin smile playing on his lips. "She wouldn't hesitate to shoot you."
"I know that all too well." A muted laugh rumbles in my chest as I shake my head.
"So, treat Riley right," he adds. "You already have one strike with her, and if you hurt her, you're done for good."
"I will," I say with a nod, meeting his gaze. "Now that the truth is out, we can be completely honest with each other."
"Take it from me," Noah mutters as he chalks his cue. "Honesty makes life easier." A smirk stretches across his face. "At least with people you don't plan to kill."
Chapter 30
Riley
I'm sitting on the large outdoor sofa on the back porch, hugging my legs to my chest. My gaze is fixed on the lake, captivated by the water and the way the late-summer sun reflects off its sparkling surface. I observe the waves rolling toward the shore in a rhythmic pattern. Every so often, a flock of ducks swims across the water. The quiet out here is both soothing and suffocating. I'm used to the constant noise of traffic, voices, and the rush of the big city. Out here, it's very different, and for the first time in weeks, I feel like I can finally breathe. There's only the wind rustling through the leaves, the occasional coo of a dove, and birds chirping in the distance.
Soft footsteps followed by the tapping of claws against wood draw my attention to the large glass door behind me. Evelyn steps outside, carrying a tray of fresh drinks and snacks. Whiskey is right beside her, staring up at her with pleading eyes. When she sets the tray down, I spot the reason for his excitement. On a small plate sits a raw bone covered in scraps of meat. Evelyn picks it up and holds it out. Whiskey gently takes itfrom her and dashes down the porch, then flops onto the grass and starts chewing.
She turns her attention to me, grabs a glass, and hands it to me. "Here you go," she says with a smile.
"Thank you." I offer her a smile and take the glass from her, stealing another glance at Whiskey. "Can he really eat a raw bone like that?"
"Yes," she says, settling down beside me with her own drink. "It's actually great for him. They're packed with nutrients, and they help keep his teeth clean. Plus, they provide good mental stimulation. Which he needs a lot of," She chuckles and takes a sip.
"Interesting," I hum, keeping my eyes on Whiskey as he happily gnaws on his bone.
Beside me, Evelyn stays quiet, sipping her drink and occasionally reaching for a chip from the tray. I lift my glass and take a longer sip this time, letting the cool taste settle. Then, I shift in my seat to fully face her, catching her gaze locked on me.
"Evelyn, I'm really sorry," I finally say. "I never shared any information about you, Hunt Corp., or Noah. The Butcher was my only interest. Nothing else."
"You don't owe me an apology," Evelyn says with a soft sigh.
"But I still lied. Maybe not directly, but I kept the truth from you."
"Technically," she shrugs. "But we never really talked about work like that, even when I was still working for Hunt. You're still the Riley, I know, aren't you?"
"Yes, everything about me has been the truth, except for a few details about how I ended up with Hunt."
"See, you didn't pretend to be someone else. You just didn't share every detail."
I study her for a moment, searching for any sign of negative emotion, but her face remains neutral. "You are way moreempathetic than I expected, especially considering how you reacted earlier."
