Vicious Lies (Lies 1)

“You know what would fix your migraine? Talking to me,” Liesel says.

Ignore her.

I keep my eyes closed, hoping she’ll go away if I don’t give her any attention.

“Really? You think ignoring me is going to work? We aren’t kids anymore, Langston! This isn’t a gam

e. You can’t just ignore me. You can’t just do what you did last night and not talk to me.”

Fuck.

I run my hand through my hair.

I don’t want to talk about last night.

I don’t want to think about last night.

Last night was one giant mistake.

Liesel steps closer to me, and I finally look at her.

She’s right.

I should talk to her.

A buzz in my pocket brings me out from under her spell. I pull out my cell phone.

“Yes?” I answer without looking at who’s calling me. I’m just thankful that someone is before I made another mistake.

“Siren’s missing,” Zeke says.

My heart stops. “What do you mean she’s missing?”

Zeke has been my best friend for years. Siren, his wife, has a connection to my soul.

“I mean she was supposed to pick up Cayden from daycare, and she never showed up. I think someone kidnapped her.”

Rage consumes me, and I welcome it. As much as I hate to admit it, I’d rather be dealing with Zeke’s crisis than my own.

“I’ll be there soon. We’ll find her.”

“Hurry,” Zeke says.

I hang up and start marching inside, my shoulder brushes Liesel’s as I pass, but I can’t think about anything except getting back to Miami and finding Siren.

“Langston!” Liesel yells, following me inside.

I keep walking. Ren, I’m coming.

“Langston Pearce! Talk to me right now!”

I stop. I turn and look at her. “I don’t have time for you to throw a tantrum right now, Liesel.”

“I’m not throwing a tantrum. Just talk to me.”

“Fine. Someone I love is in danger. And as you’ve pointed out, I have a habit of not being there for people when they need it. I’m not going to let her down.”

Liesel’s shoulders drop. Her lips curve into an O. Her breathing slows.