Page 51 of Web of Lies
"Chaotic?" She blinks. "And you didn't tell us?"
"You don't need to know everything," I say, my gaze flicking between her and Dad.
"What's going on?" Dad crosses his arms, brows raised, his gaze a silent question.
"A few things have happened, both good and bad," I say, rolling my shoulders back to straighten my posture. My parents exchange a quick look before shifting their attention back to me. "Let me start with something good. I met a woman I like."
"Oh, honey." Any hint of suspicion drains from Mom's face as a wide smile lights up her features. "I'm so happy for you."
"There's a but," I say, cutting her off, and just like that, her smile fades. "The bad news is that she's obsessed with finding the Butcher for some reason. I just don't know why."
"Obsessed with the Butcher?" Mom repeats, her eyes wide with terror.
"Yes, she works for Hunt. But he knows what we're doing, so she's not acting on his behalf." I shrug.
"Did she give you a reason?" Dad asks.
"She said she was just curious. But I don't buy it. I tried snooping a bit, checked her phone and laptop, but she's in Hunt's IT department. Anything important is locked."
"Maybe it's just fascination?" Mom offers, tilting her head.
"I don't think so," I say with a long sigh, raising my hand to pick at the sharp stubble of my beard. "She asked Evelyn if Noah knew anything. He obviously lied. But she also went to the closed butcher shop and broke into one restaurant that I serve, looking for information." Dad's eyebrows knit together, deep lines forming on his forehead. "And just a few days ago, someone broke into her apartment. She told me she thinks it was the Butcher, but it wasn't me."
"This is not good." Dad exhales, leans against the counter, and narrows his eyes in that habitual way he does when he's in deep thought. The gears in his mind turn, and he starts tapping his fingers together in a rhythmic beat. "I know you have feelings, but maybe you should get rid of her now, before it's too late."
My eyes shot open at his suggestion, anger burning in my chest. "No."
"If she's smart enough to be one of Hunt's girls, then she's smart enough to connect the dots."
"No."
"Kyle—"
"No," I say again, louder this time, and take a step toward him, ready to jump him. "She's not just some stranger sniffing around. I care about her. Yeah, maybe she's looking for the Butcher—"
"She's a threat to us, and my wife, your mother's safety is my priority," Dad says, cutting me off. "If she gets too close—"
"She won't," I snap, cutting him off in return. "I won't let her."
Mom steps between us and holds up a sharp kitchen knife. "Enough. Both of you." She turns to face Dad. "Do you really want to go after someone our son cares about?" Dad doesn't answer, but the wrinkles between his brows deepen. He knows better than to argue with Mom, as he doesn't stand a chance against her. Growing up, I witnessed their arguments—and calling them that would be a massive understatement. It was chaos in its purest form. I inherited my irrational and reckless behavior from her—the part of me that thrives on chaos and refuses to back down. Pushing us to our limits rarely ends well. Mom doesn't know the meaning of restraint, and Dad learned that the hard way countless times when trying to reason with a woman who treats logic as an option when it suits her.
Mom moves to my side and takes one of my hands in hers, her palm warm against mine. "It sounds like she's keeping secrets," she says quietly, her eyes locking with mine. "But you've got secrets, too. Big ones. And if you don't take care of them in one way or another, they'll come out eventually. From both sides. Your dad and I know that better than anyone."
I swallow hard; the lump in my throat renders me speechless. She's right. We're both liars. We're both hiding things that could blow up in our faces. The realization gnaws at me, twisting my stomach into knots. One of us is bound to slip up first. The question is, who is hiding the bigger secret? Riley doesn't know that I'm the Butcher. She's chasing him, and she will collide with me, eventually.
Mom sighs and brushes a hand through my hair the way she used to when I was a kid. "Love doesn't survive on half-truths," she murmurs, her voice softening. "But I know you. You're stubborn and smart. If anyone can find a way through this mess,it's you. Just don't lose yourself in the process. Remember who you are and what you're capable of."
"I just…" I trail off, dragging a hand through my hair, tugging at the roots. "Something doesn't feel right. I can't shake the feeling that everything's about to explode.
Mom leans in, her hand brushing against mine before she presses a quick kiss to my cheek. "Then be ready," she says with a smile. "But don't let love blind you. Don't let it make you careless."
My gaze shifts to Dad, who still doesn't say anything. Instead, he leans back in silence, watching us through narrowed eyes. I see the calculating look on his face, and I know he's already playing out the worst-case scenarios in his head.
Chapter 24
Kyle
The door to my parents' house falls shut behind me as my phone suddenly vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and flip it up, and the screen lights up. I'm expecting a message from Riley asking when I'll be home. But when I read the name of the sender, my brows furrow. Chloé. I haven't heard from her in well over a year. So, what does she want now, all of a sudden? I thought she had already found a replacement. Or maybe the guy at the club was just a short-term affair.
