Page 6 of Twisted Lies

“If you’re sure…”

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have said anything. See you in a few,” she says, and we say our goodbyes. Grabbing my purse, I put the GPS on and start toward the car. It takes twenty minutes to get there. The restaurant has a patio with a few tables leading to a large glass door, which adds even more light than the already large windows do. Walking inside, I find it’s elegant without being stuffy; the tables spread out enough to ensure privacy. But it’s packed, with no open tables at three o’clock.

Mia slides behind the hostess stand, handing a piece of paper to the teenager as she takes her place behind the podium. “Lily, you made it.” She smiles, but it slips to surprise as a child rushes past me to give her a tight hug. “Rebecca, love, what are you doing here?” she asks, placing her hand on the child’s head.

“Sorry, Mia. I have a meeting.” The deep velvet voice sends shivers down my back and heat through my body. In slow motion, I turn to see who has caused such an unexpected reaction. My breath catches as my eyes roam over the man in front of me. It’s shameful how blatantly I’m looking at him and I’m embarrassed as I do so, but I can’t seem to control myself. He’s tall with a flawless face. His dark hair is cut short, and his eyes are clear and sharp, as if he can see into souls and discern the liars in a crowd.

He’s in jeans and a long sleeve shirt that hugs his body, outlining the muscles underneath. He’s beautiful in a haunting sort of way. Someone you see on the street and can’t get your mind off of for days to come—the type of guy who only exists in movies and fantasies that belong in a dark bedroom. His eyes snap to mine, taking in as much about me as I do him. If possible, my body gets hotter as his gaze rakes over my body. Electricity flows between us, and I’m thankful when Mia clears her throat, reminding me we’re not the only two people here. It’s as if he is daring me to continue gawking.

“Lily, this is my brother Kevin, and my daughter Rebecca. Kevin, Lily and I met the other night. She’s meeting me for a drink.”

If a moment ago he stared at me as if I were the only one here, now he looks at me as if I’m nothing. Hurt rushes through me before I can gain control over my emotions.

“Sorry. I’ve got to go.” He bends down and kisses the little girl’s head. “I’ll see you later, Becca. Sorry, Mia.” With that, he turns around without a word to me.

Mia turns to me. “Sorry about him. He gets business on his mind and gets tunnel vision.”

I start to respond, but before I can, a waiter appears behind Mia and whispers something to her. “Speaking of work, I’ll be right back. Becca, will you show Lily to a table?” The pretty little girl with dark curly hair takes my hand and leads me to an empty table by a window. It doesn’t take much to fall in love with the child. One of the waiters drops off paper and crayons, and we start drawing. I don’t realize that Mia had been watching us until she comes back over.

“You were good with her,” Mia states.

“She’s a smart kiddo.” I’ve worked with kids in the past. I enjoyed it and found the kids were the most honest people in the room. You looked like shit one day, they let you know. You do something good; they don’t hold back on telling you. They want a particular book read, that’s the one they will request, not worrying that you’ve already read it ten times that day. Adults are much more complicated. From the looks of Mia’s brother, he has more complications than I need. He screams bad choices and late nights. Yes, I’ll stick to drawing dogs and suns on napkins at the kid’s table and leave the likes of Kevin to the more adventurous women.

“Thanks. I’ve been looking for someone to help out with her during the day. You interested in the position? We’d have to talk about it more and do backgrounds, but I have a good feeling about you, and I’ve found my instincts are good. Except with boyfriends,” she says, laughing.

“I’ll think about it,” I answer, stunned at the offer.

“Of course,” she says, still grinning.

It doesn’t take long after I return to the hotel to decide on my answer. I call her the next day and accept the offer.

* * *

ELIJAH

“Have you gone insane?” I cry out, banging the back of my head against the wall.

“Not yet. But living with you is enough to drive me to that point,” Claire snaps back.

“You met the girl on the street, saved her from a nutcase, and decide this is the woman to hire as a nanny? Does she even have the qualifications to be a nanny?”

“I have a good feeling about her. I ran the check. No issues with her background.”

“Yes, because we all know how truthful background checks are,Mia.”

She rolls her eyes. “Becca liked her. I can tell she needs a chance, and I want to give it to her. It’s a trial run. Your men will be with them at all times. I’ve thought this through just as I think everything through when it comes to my daughter. If you’re so worried about it, put Antonio and Chris with them.”

Antonio and Chris have been with us since we ran, never staying too far away. Ready to answer my call and take back what is ours. Willing to do anything. Connor thinks they’re fully loyal to him, but I know the truth. When it’s time for me to make my move, they will come with me. Even now, they’re gathering useful information.

“They’re not babysitters. If she becomes a liability, you take care of her.”

“Fine,” she snaps.

Just great. I told Claire to consider hiring someone to help with Becca, I did not mean someone young and attractive. This Lily will distract my men. They don’t need distractions.I don’t need distractions. It’s been a long time since I’d had such a strong reaction to a woman. The feeling with Lily is something primal. Earth shattering. I don’t like it, and I donotneed it. She has no place in our lives and would only be a complication.

“She’ll be here in the morning, so try not to scare her off with your demeanor.”

“I’ll do my best. Now, if you’re done adding more excitement in my life, I’ve got a meeting with Connor.”

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