Page 80 of Sweet Lies

“That’s your fault,” I point out, moving with him.

“Remind me I’m an idiot more.”

I smile against his lips, which have returned to mine once more, and kiss him deeply. I feel him getting closer, his need drawing out my own release. I never want this feeling to end.

ChapterTwenty-Three

ANDRE

“Well, that was…”

“It was,” I answer, kissing her shoulder. She slides out of bed, collecting her clothes.

“I thought I was the one who was meant to slip away?”

She throws a shoe at my head, grinning. I dodge it just in time. “I see why E is alive. You’re not a good shot.”

“Funny. I’m going to the bathroom,” she says, pulling on her jeans. “I’ll be back, and then we need to talk. No jumping from the window.”

Smiling, I watch her leave before grabbing my jeans. As I reach for my shirt, the door slides open. Claire points the gun in my direction, and I know she won’t miss. It will be a fatal shot.

“Claire,” I start, attempting to break her focus.

But all that does is make her hold the gun steadier.

The bathroom door slides open, and Rebecca’s shocked gasp fills the room. “Claire, what are you doing?” she demands, still in the doorway. Her eyes move between us, unsure who to focus on.

“Bec, leave us,” I order, hoping that for once she listens. Instead, she moves deeper into the room.

“Not another inch, or I’ll pull the trigger. Don’t test me,” Claire says, her eyes never leaving my own. Her eyes are cold, and I know she’ll pull the trigger soon.

“Claire, what’s going on?”

I can hear the desperation in Rebecca’s voice. I know Claire hears it too, but her focus doesn’t break. She’s intent on finishing me off tonight.

“What’s going on is our friend here has a job to kill my husband,” Claire says, and her voice rings of oncoming death.

Rebecca’s eyes move between Claire and me before taking a slight step to my side, her hands in the air. “I’m sure there’s more to the story,” she says, her voice almost pleading.

“I don’t need to hear the story. For all I know, you’re in on it too,” she answers, and I know the gun has slid more in between us, ready to shoot either of us if we move.

“She knows nothing of this,” I respond, and Claire’s hand inches slightly back in my direction.

“Nothing of what?” Rebecca asks. “Andre, you better start explaining and quickly.”

My eyes don’t leave Claire’s as I speak. “I got a call when I was leaving my safe house the day I caught Bec. It was from an unknown man. He hired me to kill Alex.”

At my admission, Claire moves closer as Rebecca steps forward, trying to put herself between us. I shove her back before continuing. “If I hadn’t taken the job, another hitman would have been hired.”

“And you thought you’d be doing us a favor being the one to pull the trigger?” Claire demands, venom dripping from her voice.

“No. After I accepted, I went to E and told him what had happened. We came up with a plan. It was his choice not to tell you. I made a choice, Claire, and I chose your family.”

“And I’m supposed to take you at your word?” she asks.

“Of course not. Ask your brother.”

Claire’s eyes dance between us before she fixes them on Rebecca. “Get him now. If you come back here with a gun, I’ll pull the trigger faster than anything you’ve ever seen. You might be good, Bec, but I’m better.”

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