Beneath These Lies (12 page)

“Do you want me to grab my steak off the grill and take it to go? I can leave you two . . . alone.”

My parents both laughed, and my father stepped back. “No, we’ll save this for later.”

“Okay. Ewww. Just ewww. I don’t want to hear it.”

My mother leaned in and hugged me again, and Chaney wiggled between us. “It’s good to see you smile. Now, let’s go throw together a salad and eat.”

Dinner was filled with my father telling stories about some of the crazy happenings at the courthouse. The family that attempted to stage a protest on the steps before they realized their son had agreed to a plea bargain. The defendant who had head-butted the bailiff and tried to make a run for it, but tripped over his own feet and sprained an ankle before he could get out of the courtroom. I swear, it was stuff that I would have never believed if I hadn’t been raised around a dinner table hearing stories like that.

My mother added anecdotes from her docent position at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Her influence and spending so much time at the museum as a kid had begun my love of art and ultimately determined my career choice. I hadn’t wanted art to sit in a museum, though, so people could only see it when they visited. I wanted more accessible art—the kind you could take home and enjoy every day.

By the time I’d filled my belly with steak, veggies, and homemade raspberry pie, I’d also drunk several glasses of wine.

“It’s a good thing I’m walking home,” I said as I stood to clear the table. “I wouldn’t want to end up in front of one of daddy’s colleagues.”

My dad laughed. “You’re too smart to ever do anything that stupid.”

My insides squirmed a little when I thought about Rix, and the night Trinity was taken. My father would tell me I was being incredibly stupid. And I probably was. But as much as I wanted to spill all of the details and beg my dad for help, I couldn’t risk her safety. He’d tell me to leave the matter to the police, which was exactly what Rix had told me not to do.

Since when was I listening to Rix over my father? It was a sobering realization.

When I headed for the door, after giving hugs to both of them, my father stopped me.

“You better not be leaving without letting your old man walk you home.”

I paused with my hand on the doorknob. “It’s only a few blocks.”

“And you’re still my baby girl.” Turning, he called to my mother, “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes, Jo.”

“I’ll be waiting!” she yelled back.

Chaney came bounding up as if on cue, with a look in her doggy eyes that said
You’re not trying to leave without me, are you?
Why would you do such a thing?

My father, used to that look, grabbed a leash off the hook by the door and clipped it to her collar. “I’m taking the dog too.”

“Okay, honey.”

The exchange was so routine and so domestic, but it knocked something loose in me. I wanted that. The routine. Walking the dog. Cooking dinner. Being part of a couple instead of always being solo.

Is Rhett the guy to give me that?

I couldn’t even consider the other man who’d barged into my life. Rix was not an option. At all. The very fact that I couldn’t tell my parents about him spoke volumes. My father would be more likely to use his connections to have him arrested than invite him to a family dinner. He was like any father, wanting what was best for his little girl, and I was pretty sure he wouldn’t say Rix was that man.

As we carefully picked our way along the broken sidewalk, my father wasted no time. “So, Detective Hennessy? He’s not a guy I would’ve guessed, but I think he’s a good choice.”

Lifting my gaze from Chaney as she tugged at the leash and sniffed everything within reach, I looked at my father. “So he’s got the Harold Noble stamp of approval?”

My dad smiled. “As my daughter, whoever you pick with your superior good sense and taste will always have my stamp of approval.”

His words were pretty bold, considering he had no idea what I’d gotten myself into.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Of course.” He reached down and gripped my hand. “We just want you to be happy. That’s all we’ve ever wanted for you.”

“I know. I’m working on it. Gallery sales are finally holding their own and growing every month, so I’m hoping to be able to hire a full-time employee and not put in quite so many hours as I have been.”

I’d worked nonstop for years, it seemed, and without Trinity, I was spending even more time at the gallery. My other part-time employee was on vacation and due to return tomorrow. I supposed all the time at work was good for distraction purposes.

“I know when you’re young, you’re focused on attaining every goal, but you’re prone to tunnel vision, Valentina. There’s a lot of life out there to be lived, and you need to take advantage.”

“I’m working on it. I really am.”

If my dad had any clue my tunnel vision had been blown wide open and I’d stepped into a world not my own, he’d have a much different opinion. But I also didn’t want him taking it upon himself to try to set me up, so telling them about Hennessy hadn’t been a bad choice. I didn’t know if my father knew, but I was well aware that he’d strongly suggested that Lucas Titan take me out several times. Given how happy Yve was, I was thoroughly glad that he hadn’t caved to the pressure.

“Good. Your mother worries.”

And clearly, so did my father. We’d arrived at my house, and Chaney instantly tugged at her leash. Not expecting the strong pull, I dropped the leash and she ran for my house, pushing through my broken gate.

“Crap. I’ll get her,” I said, taking off after the dog. Her barks came fast and close together, all focused on the window to my dining room. “Chaney, hush. That’s enough.”

That’s when I saw the curtain flutter. I froze, my hand on Chaney’s collar.

There was someone inside.

My first thought was Rix, but what if it wasn’t?

It had to be. No one else would be breaking into my house.
Right?

“I wonder what’s got her dander up?” my father said as he came toward me. “She doesn’t usually bark at nothing.”

I turned away from the window, grabbed the end of the leash, and walked Chaney back toward my father.

“No idea. I guess she thought she saw something.”

“Have you been setting your security system?”

“Of course.” But my brain added silently,
Not that it stops everyone
.

“Do you want me to go inside and take a look around?” His offer was that of a man concerned for his daughter’s safety. His daughter who was going to lie and pretend she wasn’t freaking out more than a little about who might be waiting inside.

“It’s fine, Dad. My alarm would have every cop in a five-mile radius here if someone were to try to get inside.”

Lies. All lies
. And it hurt to tell them to the one man I trusted implicitly.

“You sure?”

“Yes. Positive.”

“Okay. I’ll be getting back to your mother then.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead, like he had so many times. “Love you, baby girl.”

“Love you too. Be safe walking home,” I told him.

“Always. And you make sure you use that revolver I know you’re carrying if you even hear a single noise in that house that you question. We believe strongly in self-defense in the state of Louisiana.”

“Okay. I will.”

My dad strode back toward the street with Chaney leading the way, and I pulled my keys from my purse. My hand shook, and I missed the lock twice before the key slid home.

It was Rix inside. It had to be.

I twisted the handle and pushed the portico door open. One more door to go before I knew the truth.

Except I didn’t have time to open it before it swung inward, and a figure stood in the shadow-darkened doorway.

“You didn’t tell him I was inside. Why’s that, duchess?”

I ignored Rix’s question. “Stop breaking into my house.”

He didn’t move from the shadows. “I guess you don’t want an update on your girl, then.”

Trinity
. She was the only reason I should even be speaking to Rix. She was all that mattered.

“What? Tell me.” I hated the thought of her spending another night in some place with those drug-dealing gangbangers.

Rix finally stepped out of the shadows. “I think you’re forgetting who you’re dealing with. You don’t make demands here.”

The menace was back in his tone, and tendrils of fear curled up my spine. I think I’d just made the mistake of treating a tiger like a house cat. But I didn’t care. I forged ahead, secure in my certainty that Rix wouldn’t hurt me.

“What are you gonna do about it? Not help her?”

“Nah, but I just upped my price.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, my narrowed gaze colliding with his. “Your price? What price?”

“I don’t do anything for nothing.”

“You never said you wanted to get paid to get her back. How much?” It truly didn’t matter, because I would pay it. I wasn’t broke.

A predatory smile slid across Rix’s face. “Ah, duchess. So fuckin’ innocent.”

I knew then what he wanted as his price. My cheeks heated, and it wasn’t anger causing the flush.

Rix’s eyes never left my face. “Maybe not so innocent then.”

“That’s extortion,” I whispered.

He lowered his head and spoke low in my ear, his breath sending shivers skating across my skin. “Is it really extortion when you’re hot to pay the price?”

Was I? I couldn’t deny that he fascinated me too, and last night when he’d kissed me I hadn’t been ready to stop. But more? Images of him tossing me over his shoulder, carrying me upstairs, and throwing me down on my bed before he stripped me naked played through my head.
All alpha
. And good grief, that was hot.

Swallowing against the mouthwatering thoughts, I searched for something to say.

“I’m not hearing a protest,” he taunted.

“If I agree to your
price
, then what? You’ll get her back quicker?”

Rix lifted his head, but his lips were still achingly close to mine when he spoke. “I’m going to do exactly what I’m doing now.”

“Then why—”

He gripped my hips with both hands, thumbs coasting up and down my belly over the material of my dress.

“Because you need a reason, and I’m giving you one.”

I didn’t follow. “A reason for what?” I whispered.

“For me to be in your bed.”

He lowered his mouth, and his teeth closed over my bottom lip and tugged. I sucked in a shallow breath. When he released it, his tongue slid out and lashed the spot he’d nipped.

“So fucking sweet. And I want it all. That’s my payment, and I can’t wait to collect.” He pulled back a few inches, want and need burned into his features.

I’d done that?

“When?” I asked quietly.

“Whenever I decide.”

He wasn’t waiting for a yes or no answer from me. He’d simply decreed it was happening. Heat licked at my insides, and if he’d told me he’d decided right now, on the rug in my foyer, I might not have protested.

Time for a change in subject
. I had to stop thinking this way or I’d be throwing myself at him as shamelessly as those girls the night of the party.

I slipped sideways, stepping out of his hold. I wasn’t kidding myself that he could have kept me where he wanted me, but he let me go.

I glanced down. Oh, great, my overactive nipples had decided to join the party—and the dip in Rix’s gaze told me he hadn’t missed that fact. I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted my chin.

“Update, then?”

Rix crossed his arms, mimicking my posture. “She’s fine.”

The heat running through my body morphed into frustration. “Then why haven’t you gotten her back? This is ridiculous. You act like you’re the king of the damn jungle, but you’re dragging this out for no reason.” I dropped my arms and stalked toward him. “You can break in here and get around my alarm and scare the hell out of me, but you can’t break into some gang house and grab one girl?” Somehow, by the end of my speech I was jabbing my finger into his chest for emphasis.

Rix’s hand was quick, wrapping around mine before I could snatch it back. “Don’t push me, duchess.”

“But this makes no damn sense!” I tugged at his hold, but he didn’t release me.

“Because blood running in the streets isn’t something that’s ever gonna make sense in your world.”

“What are you talking about?” Blood running in the streets didn’t sound good to me.

“All you need to know is that if I run a smash-and-grab, we’re looking at more dead bodies, and I’m trying to keep that from happening.”

“I don’t understand.” My voice was shaky. The last thing I wanted was for Trinity to get caught in some gang crossfire.

“You don’t need to understand. Your girl is a pawn right now. She’s safe, but even in my world, there’s a thing called diplomacy. I’ll work that angle until I can’t. You may not realize it, but I don’t particularly like blood on my hands. Got too much already, and I don’t go out of my way looking for more.”

“But—”

His silver eyes flashed, irritation obvious by the ticking muscle of his jaw. I got the impression that Rix didn’t explain himself to anyone very often, but I didn’t care. I’d have my explanation. This was too important.