Page 22 of Dead and a Best Friend
"Shut the fuck up, Jess. So, what if I lied? It's for the best. I do love her, and that makes things dangerous for her."
"She's a grown woman and can make her own decisions. Tell her the truth, or I will. You've hurt her badly, and I don't want her to suffer because you can't make up your mind." Paused. "Actually, I bet Tallulah wouldn't believe you even if you told her the truth. Why would she? I can't believe you're my older brother. You’re such an asshole.”
"Love you too, bro!" Carlisle muttered.
At this point, it was getting difficult to keep pretending I was asleep.
"Anyway, you're the last person who should question me. How the hell did you mess up with Pen?"
Jessop blew out a sharp breath. "It turned out it wasn't me she wanted."
"Assholes!" I muttered.
"You're awake! Thank God!" Carlisle narrowed his eyes. "How long have you been awake?"
Jessop snorted. "She was awake as soon as I started talking about you, you lying asshole." He smiled, pleased with himself. "I figured it was the only way Tallulah would believe you about Jane."
"I wouldn't be so smug if I were you," I told him as I reached up to my throbbing face. "Pen wasn't crying because she didn't want you. She cried because she was overwhelmed by being with you." Tears blurred my vision, but I kept going. "No one has treated her as well as you have, Jessop. She didn't and doesn't want anyone but you. You blew it by leaving her alone after the best sex and tenderness she'd ever experienced."
Jessop had lost all color as I spoke. I just hoped Pen would forgive me for telling him. I felt I had to after what he did for me.
"And you," I snapped, "better not fill my head with any more lies because you badly hurt me." I sniffed, and he handed me a tissue.
"I want you safe, Tallulah. That's all I've ever wanted."
"I'm safer with you!" I cried into the tissue.
"I fucking agree."
"Where is she, Talla? Where's Pen?" Jessop asked, having recovered somewhat from the bombshell I dropped on him.
"My place. You know the code."
"Tallulah! Please tell me you changed the code."
"Um, well—" I trailed off.
"I give up!” Jessop said to Carlisle. "I'll call you."
"The cops are outside. They want to get a statement from you," Carlisle told me once Jessop had left.
"Oh no! How is Oliver?"
"As bruised as you are."
"I'm not going to look in a mirror anytime soon." I blew out a breath. "Please tell me they caught Angel. It was him, right?"
"Yes, it was him. And no, they didn't catch him."
"I guess I better talk to the cops. I want it over with."
Carlisle looked me over, then bent over me. “I’m sorry for the way I lied to you.” He brushed his lips over mine, then moved away and opened the door. "Detective Riley, Tallulah is awake."
My heart somersaulted in my chest. I had called out to Riley in my head for help. He heard me and came to Oliver's and my rescue.
Hell in a handbasket!
I wasnervous when Riley stepped into the room. Lane followed him. I knew this was the moment of truth.
