Page 59 of Ghost Among Lies

Oh geez. This kid was too smart for his own good if he was already learning to find loopholes at a young age. I didn't envy the work his father had cut out for him.

"Just because you know someone's name doesn't mean they aren't still a stranger. You have to know more about them. Make sure they're a good person."

"I think you're a good person."

I was tempted to argue with him. If his father knew how many people I killed over the years, I was pretty damn sure he wouldn't want me within a mile of his kid. Let alone talking to him without supervision.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because you're pretty and have kind eyes. My father always says you can tell a lot about a person from their eyes."

I was beginning to second-guess how old this child was. He seemed wise beyond his years, and it was clear his father was a good role model.

"How old are you?"

"Six and a half."

Good to know my estimation was right.

"How old are you?"

I smirked. "Hasn't anyone ever told you it's not nice to ask a woman their age?"

"Nope," he answered with pep. "Does that mean you're not going to tell me?"

This was the most interaction I had with anyone in a long while. I preferred to keep to myself, and even though Krista lived with me, we barely spoke. Krista was similar to me in that regard.

"I guess just this once I can make an exception. I'm thirty-four."

"Okay, so I know your name and now your age. Does that mean we are no longer strangers? Because I want you to be my girlfriend."

I choked on my spit. That wasn't where I saw this conversation going at all. "Ummmm." I was at a loss for words.

"Tommy?" A booming male voice set me on edge. So much for hoping I could avoid meeting another man. "Tommy, where are you?"

"I'm over here, Dad." Tommy waved frantically until his father came around the corner of the building and locked eyes on his son.

"Tommy, you scared the shit out of me. What did I say about wandering away?"

I got my first good look at who I assumed was Nova's brother, Jett, and nearly swallowed my tongue.

He was a work of art. An intricate set of tattoos covered both of his forearms. His biceps bulged under the sleeve of his blue shirt. And when he got close, I could see the man easily towered over my five-eight frame. The black beard with hints of gray and scowl he wore made him look intimidating. But that didn't stop me from soaking him in.

My brain immediately went to “I want to get to know this man intimately.” But then the little boy spoke, and the reality of our situation hit me in the face.

"That I shouldn't do it. But I had a good reason." Tommy smiled at me. "Meet LeeLee, Dad. She's my girlfriend and I want to stay with her forever."

Don’t miss the chance to see how Tommy–and Jett–steal Lilith’s heart in Ghost In The Shadows.