Desperate Lies (Lies 2)

There is no way a man like that kissed me while married. If he is married, he sure as hell isn’t in love. You can’t kiss another woman if you love your wife.

“Liesel?” Waylon asks, searching my eyes for my thoughts as he pulls away.

I shake off the memories, but that will only last for a moment at best before Langston will weasel his way back into my head. It’s clear Waylon must have asked me a question, but I didn’t hear it.

“Sorry, I’m still a little frazzled. What did you say?”

Waylon’s hands are still on me, afraid I’ll fall to pieces. He’s probably right, but it’s because of that damn kiss, not because I had a knife pressed against my neck.

“Can you tell me what happened before I actually call the police?” Waylon asks.

I take a deep breath as I prepare the lie. “There was a knock at the door after you went to the shower. I assumed it was a package being delivered. When I opened the door, he grabbed me and held a knife to my throat. He told me he wanted money and information about your campaign plans. And then you walked in.”

“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.” Waylon pulls me to him again.

“It’s okay. I’m okay now, but I think we should hire some security.” Security won’t stop Langston, but it might slow him down.

Waylon nods. “I agree. I’ll double the amount of security we were planning. And I think we should start my campaign for governor as soon as possible. Actually being on the campaign trail will make a statement to those trying to attack us that we aren’t afraid. That we have security who will protect us and throw any criminal who comes at us in jail.”

“I don’t think we should call the police.”

“Why not?” Waylon wrinkles his forehead.

“We don’t want anyone to know we were attacked. Our security team can find the man who did this without a public investigation.”

His eyes roll up for a minute, and then he lets out an exacerbated breath. “You’re right. It just means you can’t go anywhere without security or me by your side. No more answering doors by yourself. Are you okay with that?”

I suck in a breath. No, I’m not okay with that. It means giving up control to someone else, relying on someone else for protection. It’s what I did when I was part of Enzo’s gang of minions. I vowed to never do it again.

But this isn’t about keeping me safe, not really. It’s about doing everything I can to protect Waylon.

“I understand.”

Waylon’s raised shoulders relax as he exhales.

“You have no idea how terrified I was watching that man hold a knife to your throat. I never want to be that scared again. I’d give up everything—my work, my campaign, my money, my life to never have you threatened again. I can’t lose you, my love.”

I put my arms around Waylon. “I can’t lose you either.”

He kisses the top of my head in a move that’s meant to make me feel safe and loved—two things I’ve never been.

“I need to make some calls. You going to be okay?”

I nod. “I’m going to shower. Then you can talk to me about your plans for our security and your first campaign events.”

“I’m so lucky I have you.”

“Me too.”

Then I walk down the hallway to the bathroom.

I close the bathroom door and take a deep breath as I slink to the floor. I close my eyes, trying to push Langston out, but he floods my head.

His hands on mine.

His body pressed against mine.

His lips…