Burn (Virtues & Lies 1)

Flashing to mine, his eyes burn bright in contrast to his tired face. “Walk away, Little Girl.” He hisses so low that only I can hear.

It’s silly how those two words are enough to set off every fire inside me. Little Girl. I’ve lost count of how many times he’s called me that, but today it feels different. There’s something in his tone that’s dark and dangerous.

“It’s none of your business.”

Taking another step towards him, I raise my chin, standing straighter and as tall as I can. “You’re my business.”

“Not last I checked.”

“Well, check again, Little. Boy.” Stepping to the side I head for the large desk they were having their meeting around. My body brushes his, and I swear I can feel his shudder through mine.

I can feel our strings pull taut and wind, bringing us closer. Robbing my breath and making me forget why I ever walked away from him. Funny how perception changes everything.

Sitting down in the seat opposite my father, my focus is pulled to the papers in front of me. Before my dad has a chance to hide it, I try and get a good look. It’s all numbers and gibberish to me.

“What do you want, Princess?”

“To know what this plan of yours is. Why is Wayne worried?” Turning to the side, I look between him and Leo. They’re staring each other out like they’re getting their story straight.

Meanwhile I keep waiting for one of them to give me what I want. I’ve waited long enough. I’ve been patient. But I’m done. I want my answers.

“I left Fairfax Capital.” Leo says, rounding the table to sit back in his seat beside Dad.

“What? But…” It doesn’t make sense. He works so hard for the company. “You love it. It’s yours and Kit’s, and what about your grandad?”

“Sometimes walking away is the best thing.”

Unable to think of what to say to that, I study the grain of the dark wood between us. “So what are you doing now?”

“Moving on…”

Moving on? Nausea twists my stomach as panic swells my throat. Is he talking about the company, me or both?

“It’s all part of the plan.” Leo adds.

“What plan?”

Getting up, Dad tucks his chair in and stands behind it, with his hands on his hips like I’m taking up too much of his time. “It’s best you don’t know.”

“Just like everything else?” I stand mirroring his stance.

“Yes! What have you gained from learning about any of this?”

Ignoring my father, I lean over the desk, bracing myself on

it so that I’m eye to eye with Leo. “What have we gained from the secrets?”

He’s quiet, searching my face with his tired eyes and deep sighs. The distance between us feels like it’s shrinking and all I can think of is how easy it would be to lean forwards just a little more and press my lips to his. How good would it feel again?

“Nothing,” he whispers, his gaze flitting to my neck where his mark has yellowed away.

“What have you done?”

“What I should’ve done the moment I found out about all this. I’m shutting it down.” His shrug doesn’t hide the fact that he’s devastated. It doesn’t matter how many fronts he tries to put up, I see the sadness in his eyes.

“Don’t do this for me.”

“It’s not just for you, it’s for Kit too. Besides, it’s too late to turn back now.”