Page 47 of House of Deceit

“There were no bright spots in my mother’s death. I became an angry kid. It took a lot of time to dig myself out. But Lorelei never judged me. Never gave up on me when I snapped at her or kissed her friends under the bleachers to distract myself. Sure, I loved her and we became inseparable, but I can only imagine how hard it was for her as well.

“There were a lot of years, and still some random moments, where I wish I could exchange myself for our mother so Lore can have her mom back.”

His voice cracks, the smallest fissure in his control, and it’s all I can take.

I get up from my chair and kneel in front of him. As he talked, his eyes turned toward the ground and there’s nothing I need more than to see the man I know in them. The cantankerous pain in my ass. I grab his hands in mine and he looks at me.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t want to exchange you. I’m sorry you went through that.”

He smiles at me, a small one. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.”

The sadness I see eats away at me and I want nothing more than to erase it.

“I don’t have any siblings, but I can tell you, I would be obliterated if something happened to Courtney. I would not be able to survive. I’m not saying losing either of my parents wouldn’t rip the heart from my body and leave me with nothing, but I know, deep down I know, I would never be able to face life without her. I am so deeply sorry for every moment you’ve had to spend without your mother. For every time you’ve wanted to call her and realized you couldn’t. My heart breaks for you.” I dab quickly at the tears trying to fall. “But I can’t tell you how glad I am you’re here with me.”

Alec unclenches his death grip and turns one hand, lacing our fingers together. We sit there for a while, deep within our own thoughts, but tethered to the moment together.

The door to the interview room closes behind me, but I stop. Cain stands, back pressed against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

“Do you know what percentage of people that win the elimination challenge during week three make it into the final three?” he asks cryptically.

“Um, no?” My gut tells me he’s not going to let me leave until he’s had his say and nerves threaten to overtake me.

“Sixty-six percent.”

“Thanks for the fun fact. I’ll make sure to write it down in my notebook in case it’s on the final trivia game.” I go to walk past him but he quickly pushes off the wall, stepping in front of me.

“It should have been me.” His voice is menacing, all vestiges of the nice guy he pretends to be, gone.

“Dude, I was just faster to the buzzer. It’s not a big deal. Be faster next time.”

He walks into my space and I move back, pressing myself against the door. I think about screaming, hoping Alec is watching the live feed, but I’m sure he’s catching up on other things after our long time in the interview room.

“Alec King is your wrangler.”

“Thanks for the update. Now get out of my way.” I lace my words with anger to hide the fear I am feeling being cornered by this man, hoping he buys the act.

“Eight of the last nine years, Alec’s contestant has won immunity going into week four. The last six years, that person has made it to the final three. You were never supposed to be here. You shouldn’t have him as your wrangler. He should be mine. I’m the better choice.” His eyes are crazy, and spittle is showering over me. “I’ve studied every season. I’ve run every possibility. But now I’m stuck with a brand-new wrangler who doesn’t know anything. Alec King should be my wrangler.”

All sanity leaves my body as I decide to egg him on.

“And yet, he still passed on you.”

His face turns red and a very real fear he is going to hurt me crystallizes. I put my hand on the doorknob, praying it’s still unlocked, ready to try and open it to throw us off balance should he attempt anything. But he doesn’t. He steps back, giving me more space. Gathering the pieces of his affable guy next door persona, ready to put the mask back on.

“I know he’s cheating. How else has he gotten such consistent results?”

“He would never, and more importantly, neither would I.” The accusation against Alec sears through me, burning away all the fear.

“I’m watching you,” he says, moving back to lean against the wall once more.

“Great, watch away,” I say, moving down the hallway, back to where there are other people, afraid to be alone.

Head throbbing from our impromptu party celebrating the know-it-all Angelica’s departure, I stare at the door hiding the bedroom that will be mine for the next week. The metal handle bites my skin with its coldness as I push the door open to my sanctuary. Bedside lamps provide soft light. Fake candles sit on the various shelves and the dresser top, giving the room a romantic and relaxed feeling. The room is painted a deep emerald, including the ceiling. Every tense muscle relaxes.

Going from living alone for the past two months to being around people constantly has been a hard adjustment. It’s not that I don’t appreciate getting to know my fellow competitors, but sometimes I’d like to be able to read without interruption. I close the door softly behind me, not wanting to disturb the silence, pocketing the key sitting in the lock for when I want to leave later.

On the bed, in the very center of the black comforter, sits a white box with a red ribbon. Plush gray carpet pads my footsteps as I make my way over to the bed. I climb up and kneel next to my box. Giddy with anticipation, I undo the bow and raise the lid. Inside sits a pair of footie pajamas in a deep golden color.

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