Fated Lies (Lies 3)

This is war, I say with mine.

Good, I’m ready for this to end, hers say.

I smirk as Nolan begins talking again.

I don’t focus on him. I focus all of my attention on her, trying to form a plan of how I’m going to kidnap her. I see Maxwell standing to the side of the stage with a large security team. He’s not the best, but he has more talent than I originally gave him credit for.

Still, I can easily slip past him to grab her.

How do I want to do this?

Tie her up?

Drug her?

Drag her kicking and screaming?

Threaten her?

So many choices. But this time, when I take her, she won’t be leaving my sight, not again.

“Now, I’d like to give Miss Liesel Dunn the stage to say a few brave words. She’s the strongest woman I know. And to prove that point, she’s decided to continue Mr. Brown’s legacy and run for governor on his platform. Miss Dunn, everyone!”

The room breaks out in giant applause.

My gaze stays locked on Liesel’s. Her eyes widen until the whites of her eyes are more visible than the hazel. Then her teeth grind in anger as she looks to Nolan, who is applauding her with a smug grin. The bastard forced her hand again.

I smirk. Nolan messed with the wrong woman. She is going to squash him like the bug that he is. He might have political aspirations, but Liesel won’t be manhandled.

She stands from her seat and takes her time walking to the mic.

“Thank you, everyone, for your warm welcome. As you know, this moment is the time to mourn Waylon Brown, a man I loved very much. A man who would have done this state proud. A man who was brutally murdered and taken from us too soon. That is the focus of today.”

The crowd is silent as she speaks, completely entranced with her. Liesel has always been a good speaker. She knows how to pull anyone to her side.

“While I would love to announce today that I’m running for governor in my late fiancé’s place, today isn’t the time or place to make such an announcement. Today is about Waylon. I can pledge this to you, though. I will do everything I can to honor Waylon. If that means running, I’ll run. If that means dedicating my life to catching his killer and protecting this state, I will. That is the promise I can make to you today.”

The crowd applauds her and then starts chanting, “Dunn, Dunn, Dunn.”

They are obviously encouraging her to run. Of course, they want a beautiful, intelligent woman who has lost the love of her life to run. She’d easily win.

I doubt she will, though.

Liesel is a strong woman, more than capable of doing the job, but she’s cynical. She doesn’t believe the world can be changed from a political office. That’s one of the many reasons I was surprised to learn she was with Waylon to begin with.

Liesel believes the world is a dark and dangerous place—and the most she can do is survive it. It’s the most any of us can do. Anyone who thinks they can change it is just naive, chasing a dream that will never happen.

Liesel introduces a minister to say a prayer, and she once again takes a seat back in her chair.

Everyone bows their head as the minister begins his prayer.

Everyone except Liesel and me. She looks at me like I’m her savior.

I cock my head, not understanding. I must be interpreting her look incorrectly if she thinks I’d be willing to save her after what she did. The only thing stopping me from killing Liesel today is because I need the secrets she has locked away.

She smirks.

Dammit, what is she doing? What don’t I know?