Page 11 of A Secret and a Lie
Sir.
Who fucking knew that a three-letter word could hold so much power over me.
Glancing across the ballroom for the tenth time in the last five minutes, I immediately find Genevieve nestled next to Julien, her sleek, straight white-blonde hair making her easy to spot.
There’s something magnetic about this woman that draws me to her. Maybe it’s the mystery that seems to shroud her, her enigmatic nature that has me desperate to peel back her layers and expose her truth to me. Perhaps it’s the way she carries herself—graceful and elegant—yet there’s an undercurrent of something dangerous waiting to be discovered. Still, it could be her raw beauty, the kind that has the eyes of every man and woman in this room tracking her movements, no matter how small.
Reluctantly tearing my gaze from the enchantress, I find the sole reason I’m even at this blasted fucking gala in the first place. Making my way toward the bar, I force a lightness in my step so that I don’t storm over there and intimidate or spook the little fuck before he can tell me what I want to know. After ordering a bourbon neat—since the scotch here is shit—I white-knuckle the crystal and turn toward the man with the information I need.
“Henry and Margaret, how are you?” I inquirepolitely.
The middle-aged man chuckles, his bald head shining in the warm overhead light like the waxy peel of an apple. “It’s good to see you, Ford.”
Is it? Considering we’ve never associated directly with each other more than once or twice, I can’t imagine it’s all thatgood. Whatever.
Shifting toward Henry’s wife, I smile at her, the same expression I used to give my grandfather as a child when I was about to ask him for money. “Margaret, would you mind terribly if I stole your husband for a moment?”
She blushes under my attention, returning my smile as she nods before disappearing. I steer Henry toward the back corner, alone and out of earshot of anyone who might be nosy.
“I was pleased to hear that you’re finally putting down roots,” he says, and I fight the powerful urge to roll my eyes, keeping my face impassive. “I was sorry to hear about Oliver’s passing, but I’m sure you’ll do great things with his business.”
I stuff my free hand into my pocket to hide the way I’ve clenched my fist, ready to take a swing at him for daring to breathe my grandfather’s name. But that won’t get me what I want, so I snuff out the flame of rage burning inside me.
Get the information and get out.
“No date tonight?” he asks, pleased he’s opened this door himself.
“I came straight from a meeting.”With my handler.“I’m sure you understand how that goes. Although, since you brought it up, that’s actually what I was hoping to discuss.”
“Oh?” His eyes flash before darting around the room.Is he looking for someone? Or nervous that I’ve broached this subject?
“I heard that you might be able to help me acquire some…companionship.”
“I’m not sure who you might’ve heard that from,” he remarks coolly, though his uncomfortable chuckle gives him away.
“A mutual friend,” I lie while holding his eyes.
In reality, I got the tip from Jackson. I didn’t ask who he got itfrom since a lead is a lead. I’m trying to complete this op as quickly as possible.
He nods, taking a nervous sip of his beverage. “Well, in that case, I think this might be something better discussed at the club. Say, tomorrow over drinks? Eight o’clock?”
I nod, and Henry clasps the back of his neck, muttering, “I hope you know what you’re getting into.”
Neither of us says a word as Henry leaves me alone, presumably to find his wife. I’m not thrilled at the prospect of having yet another conversation with Henry Fisher, but if it gets me what I want, then I’ll have as many conversations as that takes.
Moving toward the heart of the party once again, my eyes land on Genevieve near the dessert table, and I find her touching Julien’s arm affectionately.Are they together?She smiles, leaning in to whisper something in his ear, and I hate that he can claim to know how it feels when her breath skates along the surface of his skin.Does he know how it feels with her mouth wrapped around his cock, too?
It’s not until she pulls back that I notice the tension bracketing her eyes.
Her sexy smile was simply an act.
Genevieve
“What thefuckhappened?” I demand, stepping into the suite.
In the far corner, Corinne’s arms are wrapped protectively around Carissa, and Liam is crouched with the two women, icing his own blossoming black eye. Ethan, second-in-command of my security team, stands sentry over them, his gun drawn, hanging at his side.
When my phone started buzzing in my bag, I snuck a peek to find ten or so panicked texts from Corinne. I didn’t hesitate in telling Julien that I needed to leave. The gracious senator insisted on escorting me back here, but I drew the line at him accompanying me past the foyer. Now that I’m seeing the extent of the damage done to this room—and my people—I’m glad I chose to come alone.
