Page 35 of House of Deceit

“Deceivers! Welcome to your first live elimination!” he exclaims.

He goes through the script, repeating Cain as the winner and Sharon and I as the bottom two up for elimination. The elimination episode, alone with his spiel, has been basically the same every week for the past nine seasons. I almost completely tune it out.

For the past half hour leading up to this moment, they’ve been airing various clips from the week that weren’t included on the other episodes so audiences can see what we’ve been up to since the elimination competition.

“All throughout the week, our audience members have been voting. The votes are tallied and we are ready to say goodbye to the first person,” Jacob continues.

Sharon grabs my hand and holds on to me as the lights darken and Jacob opens the white envelope he’s been holding, reading it before focusing on us once more.

“Sharon…” He takes a dramatic pause.

Black dots dance in my vision.

This is my living nightmare. I’m about to be embarrassed on national television by being eliminated first. My chest feels like a hippopotamus is sitting on it, keeping oxygen from reaching my lungs.

“I’m sorry, but you will not be continuing into week two. Charlie, you’ve been saved by the audience,” Jacob continues.

Relief droops my shoulders. While I hoped for this outcome, I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been a ball of nerves for the past two days, worried I would never get a chance to appeal to brands.

Sitting in this chair made me realize how much I want to prove to myself I can do this. That I deserve to be here, no matter that it was a mix-up that changed the entire course of my life.

I want to prove I was worth the bet for Alec.

Jacob disappears and we are set free from the live show. Parker stands up from the couch and walks over to me. His charcoal suit is tailored perfectly, and I watch him with hungry eyes.

“Close call, huh?” he asks.

“Too close for my comfort, that’s for sure.”

He reaches a hand out to me and helps me stand. My black dress brushes against my legs as he pulls me up.

“Next week will be better.”

“I’ll make sure of it. Especially after the ass-chewing my wrangler gave me.”

Parker’s face darkens. “He yelled at you?” he asks, seeming to get annoyed on my behalf. “He shouldn’t talk to you like that.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I say waving away his concern. “I yelled at him right back.”

He chuckles, his face brightening immediately. “If you need me to kick his ass, let me know.”

I snort. Alec’s angry face flashes in my mind at Parker’s offer. I know his hackles are raised like an angry cat. I rub my thumb back and forth over his hand, which I still hold.

“We’ve come to an understanding. And I can kick his ass on my own.” My smile seems to calm him.

I stand on my tiptoes and press a light kiss on his cheek. His face turns pink and the effect is so cute, I feel butterflies in my stomach. This imposing man blushes over a chaste cheek kiss.

“Thanks for the offer, though.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but we are interrupted.

“I was very worried I would have to make a different friend in this house. You can’t leave your fellow ginger sister. It’s in the code.” Molly comes bounding over, wrapping me in a hug and breaking the moment between Parker and me. I mouth sorry to Parker, but he waves off my apology and moves off to talk to some of the others.

“I’m going to help Sharon pack. Do you want to come with me?”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

Molly links her arm with mine and leads me back to the dressing room.

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