Page 49 of A Deception of Massive Proportion

“We can take him out in a bit. Do you want something to drink?”

Yes. Drink. Anything to put off the conversation until later. She nodded. “Water would be fine.”

He walked to the fridge and pulled out a water bottle and handed it to her. The cold felt good on her palms.

Sir Barks ran to the closet and growled, then barked, clawing at the doors. “What do you want?” Jalen asked, stepping over to him. He patted his head. “There are no treats in there.”

The hairs on Riley’s arms stood on end, but before she could say anything, the closet doors burst open, and a young woman rushed out. She wore a housekeeping outfit, and she toppled on top of Jalen.

Riley screamed, dropped her water, and security burst into the room. The next few events happened so quickly it was a blur. The woman yelled, “I love you, Shadow!” Something flew through the air. The security guards pulled the woman off Jalen and dragged her out into the hallway. Jalen lay curled up on the floor, his face covered by his gloved hands. Riley looked down and felt the color drain from her face.

Shadow’s mask lay on the floor in front of her.

Chapter 21

Jalen’s heart pounded as he lay on the floor, his hands covering his face. That woman—how had she snuck past his security guards? She must have done it while they were cleaning the room, and no one noticed.

He heard the woman yelling, “Let me go! I need to see his face! I love him!” as his security dragged her out. At least he’d been able to cover himself right after she ripped off his mask. The door closed. Silence filled the room. He peeked through his fingers.

Riley stood near the couch, her back to him. Her head was down, and her shoulders hunched. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice barely audible. His mask dangled from her hand.

He slowly rose to his feet. This was not exactly how he’d planned to unmask in front of Riley, but he was ready, nonetheless. He took a tentative step toward her. “I’m okay.”

She bowed her head lower and held the mask out behind her. “Please take it.”

Jalen couldn’t hear properly past the loud ringing in his ears. She was protecting his identity…even in this situation? She was an amazing woman. He didn’t know how he’d found her. It was fate. It had to be. Anyone else would be gaping at him, he was sure. But not her. She was faithful until the end.

He stepped up behind her, taking off his gloves. He ran the tips of his fingers down her arms. “Riley,” he said softly.

She didn’t move. He wasn’t even sure she was breathing. He kissed the spot between her neck and shoulder. He wanted her to know he was all right with what was happening. “It’s okay. You can turn around and look at me.”

She shook her head.

“I want you to know me—the real me.” Even though he felt extremely vulnerable, he had faith in Riley. She wouldn’t flinch before him. He knew her heart. He was ready to take the next step in their relationship. To show her his scars. He wanted to reveal his whole self to her.

“I can’t,” she whispered.

Wait, what? He was confused. He thought she was protecting his privacy. But now it sounded like something else. But what, he couldn’t understand. “Why not?”

“Put it on,” she pleaded, forcing the mask into his hand.

He ran his fingers over the skin on her neck, his face beside hers. If she would just turn a little, she would see him. “I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t,” she said, her voice breaking. A tear slid down her cheek.

His heart jumped into his throat. She was crying. What had he done to make her cry? He pulled her to him, hugging her back to his chest, his arms wrapped around her shoulders. “I’m sorry. Whatever I did. I’m so sorry for it.”

“Just please, put the mask on.”

He did as she said, slipping the elastic over his head. Even though he didn’t understand, and even though he didn’t want to, he obeyed. “It’s on.”

She buried her face in her hands. “I’m sorry. I think I need to leave.”

A cold rock formed in his stomach. “Why? Because of me, without my mask?”

She turned to him. “I’m just…not ready.”

She didn’t want to see him without his mask on. But what did that mean? Not ready for what? Maybe she wasn’t ready to progress their relationship? Had he come on too strong?

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