Page 53 of Twisted Lies

I’d slept in—a rather new experience. Usually, my body clock would wake me no later than seven. The doorbell sounds through the house. Quickly, I hop out of bed and change into clothes that at least pass as a greeting outfit. Rushing down the stairs, I glare at the men as I pass. I guess Elijah had told them not to answer the door, but someone should still have dealt with whoever was there. I hadn’t expected to wake to a cold bed after last night. That may be more of where my pissed off mood is coming from. Unlocking the door, I swing it open, not expecting there to be arms wrapping around my body. Claire squeezes me.

“I’m so happy to see you. You have to tell me everything I’ve missed,” she rushes out before stepping back and giving me room to breathe.

“Claire, I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow,” Elijah says from behind. I wasn’t expecting her at all. I’m excited to see Claire, and it’s not like Elijah has to tell me who’s coming and going to his home, but at the same time, it would have nice to have a heads up. Alex appears behind Claire with two bags. He nods before setting the bags down on the ground.

“I told you to give them a heads up,” he says. Claire turns to give him a look before the smile slips back into place.

“I was excited to be back home. Plus, if you need help, Alex and I are here,” she mutters, slipping into the room. I move to the side with an apologetic smile for Alex. “The house looks great. What do you think?” she asks, looking in my direction.

“It’s amazing,” I answer truthfully. “I’ll get the coffee on and some breakfast going,” I say, trying to make a clean getaway. It feels as if Claire is asking me more of a long-term question, and I’m not ready for that. This is going to come to an end. It has to. Elijah will not truly want me for a wife. I feel broken by my past, and he needs someone who can stand at his side and be strong no matter what. I’m not that person.

“Lily, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure someone else can do that. We want to visit with you,” Claire says, stepping forward as if to stop me. I feel the rising panic and jump back.

“Truly, it’s okay. I want to. It gives you time to catch up without me. It will only take a few,” I say before rushing from the room. Breathing a sigh of relief, I enter the kitchen and start the coffee. Resting my elbows on the counter, I place my head between my hands. Having Claire and Alex here feels as if Elijah is truly planning a wedding, as if we’re this magical happy couple instead of what we are. A lie. I assumed I could play this part, but reality and fantasy-like past and present are mingling too close and starting to fade into one another. I’m lost in thought till I feel strong arms pull me away from the counter.

“What’s wrong?” Elijah asks against my ear, giving my lobe a kiss.

“Nothing.” I attempt the lie.

“I’ll take BS for a hundred, Alex,” he responds. “They’re only here for a few days. Then it will go back to the two of us here. I was going to tell you they were coming today. Honestly, I’ve had so much going on I had forgotten.” He thinks I’m upset they’re here.

“I’m happy to see them.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s just…it’s feeling like things are happening quickly. Everything will fall into place for you, and I’ll be leaving. It’s just a lot. That’s all,” I state, breaking free of his hold and stepping away, not wanting to feel his body next to mine. With him that close my mind turns to mush.

“Who said you were leaving?” he demands, pulling me back this time to face his deep, unyielding eyes.

“We both know what the plan was. It’s an act. We both knew that going into it.”

“You’re right, we did. I made the rules, and now I’m changing them.”

“You don’t get to do that,” I mumble, ignoring the rush of happiness at his words.

“Who says? Here I’m the king—no one else. I need you by my side. I want you to stay. Please stay.” He mutters the last line, stroking my face. I want to ask him why but neither of us is ready for that conversation.

“I’ll stay. But it’s just us. No other women.”

“It’s only you that I want,” he says, honesty dripping from his voice. “I’m going to get the other two, and we’re all going to make breakfast. They can pour their own damn coffee.” He grins before kissing me and rushes off to retrieve Claire and Alex. It doesn’t take long before all three of them are in the room. Claire moves to the fridge and pulls the ingredients out. Alex pours four cups of coffee, handing me one first. I smile in thanks before taking a small sip. We make the meal in comfortable silence. Once we sit down, Alex speaks first.

“I think it’s time for you to tell us the plan. The full plan. I won’t have your sister in danger.”

“Alex,” Claire warns in her tone. But he gives her little mind as he continues.

“If this doesn’t pan out, there will be more hurt than just you. There will be no escaping death.” Glancing down into my cup, I try and calm my thoughts at his words.

“I have them where I want them. Everything will go as planned. I have had years to get this organized. Do you truly think I would leave anything to chance? Don’t think me a fool, Alex. I do this for the family. I do this for my father and for Reb…” He stops abruptly, his eyes wide as he glances in my direction before realizing what he has done. “I have control. We have already discussed your role in this war. All I need for you to do is follow the part.”

* * *

The wedding itself is quick. I would compare it to a Las Vegas wedding minus Elvis. It’s only Elijah, the priest, Claire, and Alex. The dress I’m wearing looks as if it should be at a very different ceremony—one where there are lots of friends and family. It’s not as if I had dreamed about my wedding for years or anything. I had never thought to get married, fake or not. I shouldn’t feel as disappointed as I do. Elijah had told me how the wedding would go. He had debated if it should be a large ceremony, but was worried about something happening. This way we can say we were madly in love with each other and couldn’t wait any longer. With the marriage license in hand, he has nothing stopping him from taking his place. The marriage will give him a foothold, and I understand.

“You okay?” he asks on the ride home. Claire and Alex are following behind.

“Of course.”

“You seem quiet. That’s odd for you.”

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