Cruel Lies (Lies 4)

I shake my head. I’m sure we could, but it’s not getting in that would be the problem. It’s getting him to tell us the next clue.

The only way to get inside is if you’re married.

I bite my lip, trying to come up with a different way. My eyes cut to Maxwell, hating my plan.

“Fuck this, let’s go,” I say.

“Where are we going? I thought—”

“We are going to fix our situation so we can get into the house.”

12

Langston

We step into the small one-room house. There isn’t much to see, but a small bed in the corner with some books strewn over it and a rocking chair in the other corner. This man either lives a simple life or doesn’t live here full time.

The door whooshes closed behind us, sinking the room into darkness.

Phoenix jumps, leaning further against me as the room turns pitch-black.

I hear the light of a match striking, and then we can see again as the man walks toward us.

“What’s your n

ame?” I ask.

He shakes his head.

I frown. If he isn’t even going to tell me his name, I have little faith I’m going to learn much about how to find the treasure.

“I need proof that you two are married.” He turns to Phoenix. “And I need your blood.”

She shrivels back, using my shoulder to shield herself from him—not that I think she should be worried about such a small, frail man.

I pull out my phone, where I have a saved image of our marriage license, and hand it to him.

He nods, taking the phone from me and sliding it into his pocket. Then he produces a knife and stares at Phoenix, waiting.

She looks up at me. “No.”

“Phoenix, he’s just going to draw a couple of drops of blood. He’s not going to cut off your hand.”

She huffs but relents, placing her hand out in front of him. He pricks her finger with the tip of the blade.

He nods his thanks and then disappears out the back door.

“What was that about?” Phoenix asks.

“My guess is he’s verifying our marriage license and that you are a Dunn.”

She frowns and grips my arm tighter.

I want to tell her to relax. She could be outside with Liesel and Maxwell right now, wondering what the hell is happening and being forced to trust me that I’ll tell them what I find out.

I’ll tell Liesel everything she needs to know, but I know she’s not going to trust a word I say.

The man returns less than a minute after he disappeared.