Page 72 of Sweet Lies

“You look beautiful as always,” he whispers close to my ear. Then he kisses my neck before leaving the room, as if he’d never been there. For a guy who says there can be nothing between us, he sure likes to get me hot and bothered. At least it took my mind off what’s coming for a moment.

Tonight is dinner with all the families. As far as we know, they have no idea I’m alive. I’ve not told anyone that Sebastian knows, and that means there’s a good chance Logan knows as well.

Now the dress is fully on, I step back and take a better look in the mirror. The black strapless gown flares out just above my knees, but the diamond necklace and earrings I’ve paired with it feel out of place on me. I can’t remember the last time I wore jewelry worth more than a couple of hundred bucks. My hair is pinned to the top of my head, and I take a second to remind myself that who I am today isn’t who I was the last time they saw me.

My makeup is natural-looking except for my red lips. My red high heels slide easily on my feet.I’m ready.

Meeting the others in the entranceway, I find they’re equally well dressed, with Andre and Elijah in suits and Claire in a floor-length red dress that I’m sure is hiding a weapon or two. Elijah is the first one to head out, followed by the rest of us.

“You nervous?” Claire asks gently.

“Of course not,” I snap. “It’s not like I haven’t done this before.”

She nods but appears hurt, and for a second I’m mad at myself, but that disappears under Elijah’s glare. Andre seems ready to laugh. I want this night over with and it’s not even started yet.

The Ferraris have rented out a ballroom for tonight’s dinner. From the floor plan Elijah showed us, it seems there’s a large staircase leading into the ballroom, which will be perfect for the entrance he wants to make.

“Everyone will already be there when we enter,” Elijah says, as if reading my thoughts.

“How can you be sure?” Claire asks.

“Because I’ve planned it that way.”

“What’s to stop them from shooting us down the steps?” Andre asks. It’s a good question.

“It wouldn’t be safe. They know what’ll happen to them if they do, and it’s much better for them to keep us as business partners and not enemies.”

I hope he’s right.

The drive is short, only a couple of miles up the road.

I crave the consistency of my gambling hall. I miss the yells of the winners and the dinging of the machines. I even miss kicking people out. I know what I’m doing there, I’m in control, but here everything has turned on its head, and I have no one to blame but myself.

It’s loud inside. Everyone seems to be talking, and their voices are booming in the ample space. We have yet to be seen, still too far from the staircase. I intuitively step back, and bump into Andre’s chest. His hands steady me, lingering longer than they should on my arms. I know Elijah and Claire have noticed.

Andre’s lips press against my ear. “You’ve got this. This is where I leave you. Elijah has given me orders.”

I want to call him back. I don’t want to do this without him, but I feel Elijah’s and Claire’s eyes on me, so I step forward.

Damnit. I want to be home in my gambling hall. I thought I’d put all the feelings of unworthiness and fear behind me, but they’re back in full force.

You are not the same person. You’ve killed people—you can hold your own. And the best part is they’ll never foresee it. You have the advantage and the power here.

With these thoughts, I follow with confidence in my family’s footsteps.

Claire and Elijah go first, one on each side of the staircase, heads held high with their unbreakable confidence. There’s little change in the noise in the room as they descend.

One. Two. Three.Moving forward, I take the first step down.

Slowly, the noise in the room fades to murmurs and then nothing, so the clacking of my shoes echoing down the marble staircase sounds loud to my ears. Wide eyes stare me down. I meet every gaze I can. Elijah and Claire have stopped in the middle, waiting for me. Once I reach them, we take the last few steps together.

Pure white covers everything from the walls to the stairs, to the couch, as if they’re hoping it might wash away the red stains on their hands.

Soon enough, people start speaking again, not wanting to be caught with such surprise on their faces. Conversations flow as we pass, and I remember something else I was good at back in the day. Eavesdropping. When you blend into the walls, it’s easy to overhear what others don’t want shared. While they might be shocked at my return, they’ll think of me as I was. Something to ignore and pass by.

Waiters with white gloves circle with glasses of wine and champagne on trays. Plucking a glass of red, I look for an excellent spot to hide out.

I know how the animals at the zoo feel now. The sense of eyes constantly on me doesn’t unnerve me as it once would have, but I’ll let them believe it does. A few come up to speak with me but are soon at a loss for words, shocked that all of us are alive and well.

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