Page 17 of Deceitful Lies

We appear to be all alone, but someone is always watching.

Emma leans across the table and lowers her voice. “One day, I tried to run away, and I made it all the way to the maze. I figured there were woods behind it. Well, Eva was in there with some old man. A man with tattoos.”

“Was it someone from the household?” I ask.

Emma shakes her head. “No, I’ve never seen him before or since. But that’s not the worst part; they were talking about someone who sounded like Dad. I could only hear stray words. They said cancer, under care, money, and guns.”

She looks over her shoulder before continuing.

“And then the mankissedher. And I don’t mean on the cheek. He really kissed her. Like she was everything to him—the sun, moon, stars, and every planet in the sky. Do you know anything about that?”

“I don’t know who it could be,” I whisper. “I only know that Sonya, the sister, doesn’t share the same father as Andrei. But that’s all.”

“Is that why they’re hiding?” she asks.

“Andrei’s father is dead. Why should they hide?”

“Shhh.” Emma lowers her head and pokes at her garden salad. My body stiffens and I don’t turn to look. From the corner of my eye, I see Eva creep toward the garage and around the house until she’s out of sight.

Emma and I sit in silence and wait until it’s safe.

“Don’t tell anyone else about what you saw,” I say sternly. “Especially not Andrei.”

“You think I’m crazy?” Emma looks offended that I would even say what I did. “Your husband is good-looking, but he has this evil look in his eyes. I’m not telling him shit.”

“Emma, I don’t know how, but I’ll get you out of here. I will.”

She stares at me as if caring about her safety is an insult. “I’m not going anywhere, Paige. I’m staying here with Dad. I need to be here to look after him.”

“It’s not up to you to protect Dad.”

“You have no business telling me what to do,” she continues hotly. “Besides, where am I going to go that’s safe? Am I supposed to go live with cousin Kenney? I’d rather stick my head up my ass than spend time with him. Do you know they cleaned a corpse off our kitchen floor? You have nerve telling me what I can and cannot do after you got us into this mess.”

“I’m not the reason why we’re in this mess,” I reply. “I’m the reason why we’re still alive. Something has been going on for years, and I’ll find out what it is. But in the meantime, I can protect Dad better than you because I am Andrei’s wife.”

“Didn’t he kidnap you?” She scoffs at my wide eyes. “The guards sometimes talk in English. Oh, wait, you were kidnappedtwice. Is that the kind of protection that comes as Andrei’s wife?”

“Watch your mouth, Emma, and adjust your tone. I won’t tolerate your snarky bullshit while we’re here. You might think it’s cute to be blunt, but your sass will get us hurt. Learn fast before I have to teach you.”

Her eyes stare at me in shock with a touch of fear. My hands are clenched in fists, and I have to breathe deeply to keep my body from shaking. I wasn’t myself. Instantly, I want to apologize and pull her into my arms, but this is not a game. This is our new reality—a dangerous reality. I’m not the only one who has to change.

“You’ve never spoken to me like that before.” Slowly, she closes her gaping mouth and looks away. “Ever.”

Emma appears quite small as her shoulders slump, not knowing where to look. She places her fork down softly and stands up from the table.

I break first. I reach for her, but she dodges my hand. “Emma, I’m sorry, but we have to be careful.”

She won’t look at me. Emma holds up her hand to halt my words and hurries up the terrace steps toward the house. Viktor appears at the French door and Emma seems startled by him. She takes a quick step back and hesitates when he opens the door. She looks up into his eyes, and patiently, he bows and opens the door wider. Emma grins slightly and they disappear into the house.

I sit down at the table, but my appetite is completely gone. Should I blame it on my hormones? Or my recent trauma? Or Dad being sick?

No, my husband is turning me into a bitch. I am losing my temper because I’m being kept in the dark by the man that controls my life. Not only that, but he holds my life in his hands and there is nothing I can do about it.

I’m not surprised Emma is cautious around Andrei. She always had better taste in men than me. She’s not the type to be swept off her feet by looks and flash. She demands substance and to be treasured.

And she is in a better position to see Dad. No one would suspect her.

I head back into the house and motion to the maid to clear the table. No mincing Paige, no shy smiles loaded down with “please.” I point, and she fetches.

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