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“Gabriella doesn’t know anything.” I glance around the lot, worried someone’s about to step out from behind one of the cars and kill Milton. The thought of losing him all over again kills me. “She’s also having an affair with my ex-doctor from Stonehill. Please, can we just get out of here?”
Grabbing my hand, he takes me back to his car, getting inside. I don’t relax until we pull out of the building and into traffic. “You’re keeping something from me,” he says moments later.
His tone is strained, and I bite my lip, praying he won’t pull over at the side of the road to get it out of me. After Nicole’s warning, I want to put as much distance between Fair Haven and us. It’s possible we’re being watched right now.
“I’m not,” I lie, unsure why I am. Didn’t I say it’d be a win to draw one of them out? “Walking in on your mother giving another woman…head isn’t something I wanted to see. Ever.”
He revs the car as we speed back over the bridge, his eyes masking a storm I know is brewing. “You forget that I can tell when you lie to me.”
Turning my head away from him, I close my eyes. “I told you what happened.”
“The elevator was stuck on floor eleven for more than five minutes. And then you happened to be in it once it began moving again.”
“It was a delivery.” Lies, lies, lies. I’m digging a crater rather than a hole. Because Milton’s going to find out what I’m keeping from him—he always does.
“We’ll see.” It’s a promise.
* * *
We arrive backat the club. Milton parks the car for the valet to take and drags me inside, back downstairs. When we get there, I realize we’re not alone. Lisa’s back, which I guess means the holidays are over. Time is fucked up lately.
“I have what you asked for, Mr. Hood,” Lisa says.
“Good.” He takes the iPad off her as she glances at me. She wants to say something, greet me maybe, but Milton beats her to it. “Go.”
She leaves promptly.
As Milton stares down at the screen, I watch him, my gut knotting with a bad feeling. A moment or so later, his eyes lift to mine slowly, anger blackening his stare. Turning the screen to face me, he’s showing me black and white CCTV footage.
This must be a new record—it didn’t take him long at all.
I’m looking at myself in the elevator and Nicole standing in front of me. He suddenly throws the iPad, causing me to jump as it smashes against the floor. “Always fuckinglying.”
“Milton—”
The door opens behind me, and Milton stops. Whirling around, Maxim enters wearing an impressive gray suit and a deep maroon waistcoat. His silver eyes flicker in my direction, seeing the terror on my face, and his eyebrow rises. “Am I intruding?”
Milton’s neck pulses when I glance over my shoulder at him. “I have a little liar in my midst.”
Sensing a presence beside me, I flinch. Maxim’s in front of me now. I hadn’t heard him move. Pinching my chin between his forefinger and thumb, he tilts my head up, forcing me to look at him. I’m shaking. The last time he touched me, he was dragging me out of here. I’ve no choice but to look into those cold eyes. They’re so intense that I feel myself taking a step back. I connect with something solid, and I realize Milton moved. I’m now pressed up against his front, trapped between them.
“You’d be foolish to lie to Milton. He’s quite adept at finding out the truth.” I swallow hard, and Maxim sighs. “I came to apologize for what I did. I had no idea Milton’s life had become so…complicated.”
I’m not sure Milton’s aware of his thumb grazing back and forth over my collarbone, but it’s the anchor I need to stay calm. “Impressive.”
“It’s true.” Letting go of my chin, Maxim puts his hand on top of my head. It’s odd, and I don’t know what to make of it. From a different point of view, it could look like he’s petting me, but it’s more endearing than it is insulting. “How is it we come to acquire such exquisite creatures from the shit hole, Horn Hill?”
“All the reason for it to burn to the ground, so it doesn’t try and claim them back.” Maxim’s eyes flash with something I can’t name, and he drops his hand. Milton must see the hesitancy. “Finish whatever business you have there. It’s about time we moved on, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I never doubt you.”
“You did.”
“I need you here—not in your past.” Milton says nothing, and Maxim’s eyes drop to mine. “Have dinner with me tonight. Heidi can meet my own complication.”
“Fine,” Milton sighs, and Maxim offers a stiff smile. Then he turns away and leaves, closing the door behind him. And then more silence comes with underlining threats.
“Will you let me explain?”
