Page 14 of Sweet Lies

I step outside and breathe in the cool air. Most of the cars have left, their owners on the way to deliver the latest update from the boss. The motion-sensor lights are all in on the action tonight—all except one section that appears to have burned out. I hear a small gasp from that section that sounds all too familiar.Rebecca.

Running toward her, I feel rage unlike any other when I see Nick pressed against her. She’s attempting to get away, but his arms are wrapped around her back. Her upper body is leaning back as far as possible, extended into the bush. I don’t need to see her clearly to know she’s scared. It’s coming off her in waves, but still, Nick leans in, determined.

I yank him away as soon as I reach them, and he stumbles back, unaware of my approach. Rebecca looks between us, but I pay her no attention as my hands go to his throat.

“Who do you think you are?” I hiss as I squeeze. His eyes bulge out, his skin changing color as he claws at my wrists.

Rebecca’s hands appear on my arm. “Let him go.” Her hands give a gentle squeeze. “Please.”

It’s the plea in her tone that makes me release him. He struggles back, gasping for air.

“Don’t speak to her. Don’t touch her, and don’t even bother to look in her direction. The next person you’ll be talking to is her brother and father, and I’ll gladly take care of your body.”

He pales even more at the mention of her family.

“Leave. Now,” I order, taking a step in his direction.

He flinches and rushes off.

“Andre.”

“Not. Now.” Anger is radiating off me in waves. I feel like I will explode with it. I don’t want her swept up in the aftershock.

“I’m okay. You got here in time. He was trying to make up for the shit date, he said. Not sure why he thought that was the right course of action.” She laughs awkwardly, and I know she’s trying to calm me down, but the more she talks about what just happened, the more pissed I become.

“What was he trying exactly?” I demand.

“Ahh…”

“Bec,” I snap.

“He was trying to kiss me. Again, not sure why he thought that was the way to go about making up for the date.”

“Go in the house. There’s no reason for you to be out here tonight. A lot’s going on, and everyone is on edge.”

She looks like she wants to argue, but she does as I ask for once and moves toward the house. She’s halfway before she turns her head.

“You know it’s going to happen. My first kiss. I’m happy it wasn’t with him.”

I don’t answer the words she leaves unspoken—that she wants it to be with me.

* * *

I’ve avoided Rebecca over the last few days—since the night Nick tried to kiss her by the bushes. He really isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack. If I were him, I’d stay the hell away from both her and Claire. Maybe we hit him too hard that night, and he lost a few more brain cells. He really can’t afford to lose any more.

But now I’m back at the house with reports and need to avoid Rebecca for a little longer—at least until she forgets about wanting to be kissed.

The house is packed this afternoon. It seems Elijah has decided to have some people over.

“Where’s Elijah?” I ask the nearest person.

“Upstairs.”

Of course he is, probably with a couple of blondes. When Elijah’s doing business, he’s all business, and the same goes for his fun side. Too bad for him it’s about to become a business day.

I’m almost to his room when my arm is pulled backward and I find myself in the presence of the one person I’m avoiding.

“I want it to be you,” Rebecca begs, tugging on my sleeve. I don’t have to ask what she’s referring to.

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