Betrayed by Truths (Truth or Lies 2)

I take Enzo’s ring off and slip it into my pocket. I don’t want Jim to see it and try to convince me to pawn it to him.

The door chimes as I step inside, warning my heart of what I’m going to give up for a chance at winning. I’m selling a part of my heart I will never be able to get back. Then I’m going to dress like a slut so I can get let into a party I’m not invited to. All for a chance to seduce a man, so I can get close enough to steal a different ring. Maybe I’ll be able to pawn Milo’s ring in order to get this one back, but I doubt it.

I have to think of the real reason I’m sacrificing my heart in order to win: to keep other women from getting hurt. Because once I’m Black, I can change everything.

22

Enzo

Damn.

That’s all that goes through my mind when I pick up Liesel in my Ferrari.

She descends from the doorway of the condo building she lives in in a black dress with a low V-neck down the front and shiny, sparkly shoes. Her hair is down in long curls, and she’s wearing the expensive necklace I bought her years ago when we were dating.

“You look good,” I say as I lean against my car.

She eyes my tux, practically undressing me with her smoldering eyes. “I know.”

I grin.

Liesel always is one of the most confident women I know. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. And she won’t settle for less than. Which is why we aren’t together. I know she wants me, but I couldn’t give her what she needed or deserved, so we broke up.

Looking at Liesel now, most men would say I made an error not giving her everything she wanted, marriage included, but looking at how Liesel is dressed just confirms to me I made the right decision. She’s dangerous.

Dangerous in a different way from Kai. Kai unnerves me; she makes me think twice about my decisions and actions; she makes me want things I never knew I wanted. Makes me want to protect her even when she doesn’t need my protection.

But Liesel is just pure sex. She doesn’t want me to change. She would take me exactly as I am, dangerous job and all. She likes rough sex. She likes my fancy cars. My big beach house. She likes going to expensive parties. She’s likes being rich and flaunting everything she has.

Kai couldn’t care less about my money. She would trade her living situation for a second to get free. The only money she needs is enough to survive.

“Ready?” I ask.

Her eyes sear into me and her red lips plump. “You know it.”

I walk around to the driver’s side, not bothering to open Liesel’s door. I’m not an asshole to Liesel, but I don’t want her getting the wrong idea. She already will when I have to fake being into her.

The truth is, I look at Liesel as more as a sister than a potential wife. Yes, we used to date. Yes, I find her attractive. But she is also the only woman I could ever confide in. The only woman I could ever have real conversations with. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I will protect her and care for her all of my life.

We both climb in, and I start driving, with Langston trailing behind for protection.

“So I’m here. Dressed to the nines as requested.”

“You always dress to the nines, Liesel.”

She smiles. “I do, but why did you need me to?”

I sigh. I told her just enough to get her to go with me, nothing more. “Because you are my date.”

“Who am I trying to make jealous?”

“No one.”

“Then, why am I coming?”

“I need a hot woman on my arm to get a man to want you.”

“So I’m a distraction?”