Page 60 of Twisted Lies

“Rebecca was here,” I say between clenched teeth, quickly faking a smile as someone walks around the corner.

Her lips open and close as she processes my words. “What do you mean by here?”

“I mean, she was walking, talking, drinking the damn wine here. She spoke to Lily. Twice now. She’s playing a fucking cat and mouse game with us. Whatever illusion you have that Bec is anything near the same person we knew, you better drop it.”

“It’s a cry for help. It must be. You see it as a game, and it may well be, but it’s a different game than what you’re thinking. Maybe she wants back in,” Claire says.

“I would maybe buy that if she hadn’t tried to kill me.”

Claire huffs. “She was raised with us. If she wanted you dead, I’m sure her aim would have been better.”

She has lost her damn mind. That’s the only explanation. “You’ve lost all sense when it comes to her. We lucked out that she was a few inches off. I don’t think that was the goal.”

“What do you want me to say? I’m not going to say we need to kill her. You want to find her? Fine. Then we need to get her back. That’s the only thing I’m going to agree to.”

“I guess it’s a good thing you’re not the boss then.”

She leans close, grabs hold of my shirt, and pulls me in. “Don’t forget who was by your side all these years. Don’t make me remind you, brother dear.” She shoves me away and re-enters the party with an extra bounce in her step. Why would I ever think she would be reasonable about this? If it were anyone other than my sister, she would be long gone from the world. I’ve given her more chances than anyone else who has shot me. Hell, I’m starting to think I’m the Santa Claus of second and third opportunities when it comes to Rebecca.

ChapterTwenty-One

REBECCA

The sun is warm against my face. The park is filled with people, from little old ladies feeding the birds to families with kids running around. It seems as if the whole city is at the park today. I remember coming here with my family. My mom loved to watch people while my siblings and I ran about playing. The memories flash, but I don’t gain any pleasure from them. They’re just there, but the feelings that used to be attached to them don’t surface. I’m thankful. I don’t need these emotions. They only get in the way of what needs to be done. From a distance, I watch.

E is smiling as he bends to place a kiss on his wife’s lips. Lily steps back and holds her hand out. He takes it, and he spins her in a circle. She stops tight against his chest with her hand resting on his shoulder. They’re happy. I feel the wetness on my cheeks, and I hate them for their happiness.

He left me to rot without a backward glance, him and Claire both. They went on with their lives with no thought of me. I want them to pay. After everything I’ve been through, I deserve my revenge. Unable to continue watching the touching scene, I turn my back. I try not to think about everything that happened the months following the attack. I want to focus on who I’ve become. Sometimes the old me slips in, and I hate her with all my might. It took everything for me to become the person I am today. I had to destroy everything I was in order to survive. What happened after they left made me stronger. They left me in hell. It’s fair that I return the favor.

* * *

LILY

“I’m going to assume you know who I am.” I hear Rebecca’s voice from behind and slowly turn around. I nod. “Good. You know me, I know you. No need for a pesky introduction.”

“What do you want?” I ask and am impressed by how strong my voice sounds because, on the inside, I’m shaking. Elijah had gotten a phone call and had stepped away, leaving me by the park playground.

She shrugs. “Isn’t it a woman’s prerogative to not know what they want? What restaurant to eat at, what shirt looks best with what jeans, and who to date.” She moves a step closer. “Me? I never really had that issue. There was never any choice for me to make. Everything was decided for me. Now I have all the options in the world. Now, anything I want, I can get. You ask what I want? Well, first, I want you to give my brother a message.”

“What message?” I ask. She is now inches from me. I can feel her hot breath against my face. I glance around, looking for the men Elijah had left behind.

“Tell him to stop trying to find me. I’ll be found only when I want to. I’m getting sick of him getting involved in my business. No need to keep looking around for the men. They’re fine. Out cold, but fine. My brother won’t be thrilled after this, but that’s not my problem.”

“You got him involved when you pulled a gun on him,” I point out.

Rebecca’s smile grows cat-like, and her eyes narrow. “Brave girl. I can see why my brother cares for you. I bet you give him a run for his money. I’ll see you around.”

Moving forward, I brace myself against a bench and try to relearn how to breathe. My adrenaline races through me to make everything stand out. My nails dig into the blue metal in an attempt to release the tension.

Glancing down at my phone, I hover over two names trying to decide what direction to go.

“Hey. What’s going on?” Claire answers on the first ring.

“Rebecca was at the park,” I rush out.

The brief moment of silence is deafening. “Did she do anything? Say anything?”

“She said to tell Elijah to stop trying to find her. She’ll be found when she wants to. Her face…Claire, it was twisted. Everything about her was cold.”

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