Page 89 of His Deadly Lies

“Carter thought it would be a better decision, strategically, for him to hang back and act as bodyguard.” Ricardo grabs the gun and pries it from my limp fingers before returning it to his back. “People take one look at me and assume I’m the one in charge. Not sure why. We decided to use it to our advantage since it happens anyway. It gives him more freedom, in a way. He realized he’d see more from behind the scenes while the spotlight stayed on me.”

Things click into place slowly, like someone focusing a camera lens.

It’s exactly what Carter told me. People always assume less of him based on his age, his looks. His position. People expect a guard to do one thing and one thing only; shoot first and ask questions later. They can go anywhere, be anyone.

And watch everything because of their access.

It really is a strategic decision, the two of them concocting this absolutely brilliant ruse, and I hate that I understand it.

“You lied to me. Both of you lied to me, and you played me for a fucking fool,” I growl.

Ricardo flashes me the ghost of a smile. “Don't be too mad at me, sweetheart. We lie to everyone. It’s nothing personal.”

I think that’s what stings the most right now. That I gave myself to Carter only to realize he’s deluded me from the start. Thinking I was going against the grain and seizing one perfect moment for myself, for once in my life, only to find…

I’d slept with my actual fiancé.

Nothing forbidden about it.

I want to slap myself in the head for not realizing it sooner. He’d probably talked up all the I’ve got to keep my hands to myself stuff to keep me from getting too close before he was ready.

“What were you hoping to find when it came to my family? No.” I smooth a hand through my hair, feeling like I’ve aged a hundred years. “What were you planning to do when it came time for the wedding? You were going to marry me under false pretenses.”

“To be fair, I never actually planned on marrying you. Unc…didn’t really want to discuss you yet. But I know he really does care about you, Mia. He never wanted you to get hurt.”

“Then tell me where he is.”

Ricardo shakes his head. “Sorry, I can’t do that. It’s safer for you to stay with me. Better yet, go home. Rest. We’ve gotten everything fixed at this point.” His phone bleats in his pocket, and he reaches for it, reading the incoming text. “At least I can tell you that he’s fine. The bullet lodged in his ribcage but didn’t do anything besides fracture a rib. He’s going to be okay.”

Relief crashes through me to the point where my head goes light, and I have to grip the windowsill to keep from keeling over. “He’s okay?”

“He’s a tough guy, Mia. I’m sure you’ve realized that already. It’s going to take more than a bullet to keep him down," Ricardo says.

Yes, but will it take more than a bullet to keep him from me?

I want to ask and find the words strangely lodged at the back of my throat. “I’m really glad to hear that.”

Ricardo tips his head to the side, studying me. Whatever he sees there has him chuckling darkly. “Get some rest,” he repeats. “He’s not going anywhere. It’s better for you to protect yourself right now than worry about him. Leave that to me.”

“And I can trust you with him?” I want to know.

“The man practically raised me.” Rather than acting incredulous, he tips his head back and laughs. “You can trust me.”

It might be a bad idea, but I do. Right now, I have no choice.

“Fine.” I walk past Ricardo and pat him on the shoulder. “I’m going out to grab a breath of fresh air.”

“Take your time. Grab more coffee.”

I get the feeling he’s teasing me. But the ordeal is over.

That’s what I have to keep telling myself.

The ordeal is over, and the shipments are fine. I’m fine. Carter is safe, and…he really is mine. The realization strikes me, and I press a hand to my stomach, still feeling his impression inside my body. The aches in my lower abdomen and core where he made his mark.

Shit, this isn’t how I thought things would go. Not by a long shot.

“Ma’am! Ma’am, are you all right?”

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