Page 35 of Concealed Deception

“Go and get her.But, Tony, it doesn’t mean I’ve changed my mind about her.”

He’s in my office, lighting up his keyboard with how fast his fingers are moving.I only hope he doesn’t fuck this up like I did.

I go over to my liquor cabinet and pour a glass.I needn’t worry about Tony, he’s busy in his own world.

Camille comes in sometime later.I’m still standing at my cabinet, half a bottle gone when she speaks.

“Your father used to go on trips a lot, when you were younger.Your mother always hated it.He’d be gone for days, or sometimes weeks.She did the best she could, you know, to raise you into the caring man you needed to be.She knew what was in your future and she always made damn sure you knew what love was.Ava is a strong, smart woman.She reminds me a lot of you.She’ll find a way to survive.Look at what she did here.She pulled heels off of her stilettos just so she had a fighting chance.”

I’m stuck in the beginning of the conversation.

“What did you say?”I round on her.The way her eyes bug out of her head has me taking a step back.“Sorry, Camille,” I utter.I never apologize; that is except to my mother, Aunt, and soon, Ava.

“Please, I know who you are, Xander.I know you wouldn’t hurt your aunt.Just because William is my brother doesn’t mean I like what he’s doing to you.I promised your mother I’d always look out for you.She was my best friend long before she married William.”

“No, what did you say at the start?About William traveling a lot?”I think Camille just helped us track him down.

“Oh, he’d say he was going to Washington or Florida, but we always knew he was in California.I was pretty good on a computer in my time.”She flicks her hair like she’s proud of the fact.And she should be.

“Camille, why have you never mentioned this before?”

“You never asked.”She shrugs as if it’s no big deal.

“You need to go down to where Vince and Knox are.You need to tell them everything you know.If I get you access codes, do you think you could help us to pull up old records?You may have more knowledge than our clown over there.”

“Hey,” he protests.

Camille’s face lights up, and I bet it’s got everything to do with Vince.“Count me in,” she agrees.

“Tony, get Camille everything she needs.After that, take Knox to pick up your girlfriend.”

“Already on it, boss.”He literally skips from the room, waving for Camille to follow.

Being left alone in my office, I think back over the words my aunt said to me about my mother, Ava, and the man I am today.

She may be right about one thing; my mother raised me to know what love is.With that being said, until now, I never wanted to acknowledge it.

Twenty-One

Lacey

I hate men.Like really fucking hate them.They lie and cheat and disappear off the face of the earth.Then when they want back in, they expect you to forget everything they’ve done and move on.

Not a fucking chance!

I’m lying on the couch, watching a movie—actually, I’m staring at my phone screen that’s lit up like a Christmas tree withthatasshole’s name.

I have spent an hour ignoring him, yet I continue to watch the calls and notifications come through.

I opt to turn my phone off.I don’t know what I have to achieve by answering any of them.

Since Ava decided to play housewife, I’ve been back in my condo.

Throwing my phone on the couch, I get up and head for the bar.I’m about to take my first sip, the best part of making a cocktail, when someone knocks on my door.

“I don’t have the energy to deal with this shit,” I mutter.

Thinking nothing of it, I take my cocktail and walk toward the door.Spying out the little peep hole, I can’t see anyone there.I turn on my heel, about to go back to the couch, when the knock sounds again.

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