Vicious Lies (Lies 1)

I don’t need to.

I know who left the message.

The only man who could have snuck in and out without security spotting him.

A man I thought I had made perfectly clear to last night that I was not his. That I don’t owe him anything.

Langston Pearce.

I know how our security team didn’t catch Langston, but I don’t know how I didn’t notice myself.

Even with my eyes closed, I always know when Langston is nearby.

The chills—that was Langston.

I did know. I just didn’t let myself acknowledge it.

I walk back to the bedroom just as I hear my cell phone buzzing on the nightstand.

I jump at the sudden sound, and slowly walk over, assuming it’s Langston who’s calling and he can wait.

But when I pick the phone up, it’s Kai on the caller ID.

I sigh and almost decide not to answer the call, but she’ll keep calling the rest of the day, especially if Langston put her up to it.

“Kai, now really isn’t a good time. I have to meet with a client in an hour, and I’m already running late,” I answer, not giving her a chance to speak first. Kai is the only one who continues to keep in touch even when I insist I no longer want to be part of that life, that family.

There was once a time when I loved being the only woman among three dangerous men—Enzo, Zeke, and Langston. I was their entire focus. I thought I would end up with Enzo, the leader, but I realized too late that that was never meant to be. Enzo ended up with Kai.

I’m not bitter. They belong together, but my life changed after that. Everyone pushed me to Langston like they thought we needed our own happily ever after. None of them know our true history. None of them know our past.

And then Zeke found Siren, and the pressure increased for Langston and me.

But I don’t want a happily ever after.

I don’t want to live in their dangerous world.

And I don’t need friends, especially girlfriends—I’m a lone wolf.

“Then I’ll keep it short. Siren and I are going on a pampered girls vacation to Santorini for a week, and we’d love for you to come with us. We are leaving in two weeks, I know it’s short notice, but hopefully, you can get someone to cover your clients for you.”

“I—” I start.

“You are not giving me some excuse why you can’t come right now. I have two weeks to convince you to go, and I want to spend every day of that persuading you. We haven’t seen you in six months, and we miss you.”

I sigh. “I’ll think about it.”

I have no idea how to get out of this. A girl’s trip sounds like my nightmare. Kai and Siren are nice enough, but to be trapped on an island with them for an entire week of gossiping, drinking, and sunshine?

No, thanks.

I wouldn’t survive a week with them.

Kai squeals excitedly like I just said yes, instead of blowing her off like I did.

“I have to go,” I say.

“Of course, will talk to you tomorrow!”