Consumed by Truths (Truth or Lies 6)

He kisses me. “And that’s exactly what I wanted.”

He takes my hand, and we walk out. The officiant doesn’t look surprised to see us, but the couple walking down

the aisle seem confused.

“If you get a chance after, I highly recommend trying out the desk in the back,” Enzo says, winking at the couple.

I laugh and tug him out of the courthouse before we get in trouble.

Once out in the warm sun, Enzo asks, “Back to the hotel? A stroll through town first? Food?”

“Hotel,” I say, not nearly satiated after one round.

He grins. “Did I tell you I love you?”

“Not enough.”

“I love you, stingray.”

“I love you too, Black.”

Enzo grabs my left hand with his left hand and brings both of our ringed fingers to his lips and kisses my ring.

“Let’s go,” he says.

We start strolling casually back to the hotel, when everything changes.

Enzo’s phone buzzes. He shows me the name that pops up—my father’s name.

“Hello,” I say when Enzo puts the phone on speaker so I can hear.

“Beckett escaped,” my father says.

And just like that our fairy tale ends.

15

Enzo

Kai thinks the world is on our side. That fate has finally turned. That we are destined to be together. That nothing can rip us apart.

I love her positive thinking. It keeps me grounded, the anxiety and fear at bay when I’m with her.

But I disagree with her. I don’t think anyone is on our side. I still think the world is against us. I see every person as an enemy, a threat about to attack us.

Kai thinks we are untouchable on our wedding day—the world wants to celebrate with us.

But with one phone call, that joy and hope are wiped out.

“Beckett escaped,” Kai’s father says.

I grab the phone and shove it to my ear, even though it’s on speaker. I want to go through the phone and punch Kai’s father for letting this happen. He had one job. Keep Beckett prisoner through the weekend. We would come back on Monday and decide what to do with him.

“You had one job,” I growl through the phone.

“I know. I don’t understand how it happened. I never let him out of my sight. He was always tied up, and I barely gave him enough water and food to survive.”

“Then how did it happen?”