Little Lies

30. Secrets Unravelling

"I don't know what you're talking about." I say, trying to muster as much confusion in my tone as I can. Leon looks at me from beneath his dark lashes, his jaw set hard and an eyebrow raised. I know he isn't buying it. But he doesn't get a choice. There's no way I'm telling him anything and there's no way for him to find out the secrets I'm hiding. At least I hope there isn't.

Money can get you a lot of things in this world, but I hope that beneath all the rubble I've buried my secrets beneath, he won't have the energy to care. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?" The pad of his thumb runs along my jawline slowly. Anyone else would think it an endearing gesture, but I know better. "Your eyes wander all over the place."

"I'm not lying." I say. "What could I possibly be hiding?" I hope he doesn't have a response for that.

"I'm unsure. But you're hardly the most forthcoming person." He steps closer to me, and I shiver in anticipation. God, I've only spent one night with him and my body is already programmed to desire him. It doesn't help that he's hot as fuck. "Regardless, you can either tell me, or I'll find out in my own way. You can choose what would fare better."

I look up at him, batting my lashes and feigning innocence. "I don't know what's giving you the impression that I have something to hide, but if you fear that it will impact this arrangement we have in any way, then perhaps it would be in your better interests to cancel it altogether."

He chuckles, as if he finds the idea funny. "You're cute. Don't think you're going to get out of it that easy." He leans in and places a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth. His soft lips draw against my skin and leave me with goosebumps in their wake. I can smell the scent of coffee on his breath mixed with the earthy cologne he wears. He drags his lips to my ear once again. "You're mine now, remember?"

***

I stand nervously outside the door to Rory's hospital room. At around midday, Leon told me that Nikolai and Alexei had given me the all clear to visit her as long as they supervised me. I still feel like it's ridiculous. I would never intentionally hurt her and I've known her for much longer than they have, but it was the only way to see her, so I had to suck it up.

The two Russians stand on either side of me, towering over my smaller frame, they look every bit the intimidating men they are. They eye me warily as if I'll attack at any moment, watching my hands in case I were to grab for a secret hidden weapon. It's embarrassing, which is why I asked Leon to leave me here alone and to pick me up in an hour.

"I'm not going to do anything." I grumble, my arms folded over my chest.

"Not with us around." Alexei ground out, his Russian accent thick. I haven't spoken to him as much as Nikolai, but he's every bit as threatening and imposing. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side, but then again, I have. "If we even catch a glimpse that you might do anything to hurt her, you are dead. We don't care what kind of arrangement you have with Leon."

"Yeah, yeah. Okay I get it. You hate me. Can I see my friend now?" I ask, tapping my foot incessantly on the linoleum floor.

The two brutes share a look before nodding their heads. Nikolair opens the door and enters before me, gesturing me inside while Alexei follows behind. As soon as my eyes lock onto Rory in that hospital bed, I bound over to her, tears already gathering in the corners of my eyes. I don't fail to notice the two men who tense and follow quickly after me.

Rory looks tired, pale and worn. Her vibrance is severely diminished and it hurts my heart to see her this way. "Rory, oh god, I'm so sorry." I say, kneeling beside her, scared to do anything else in case she really does hate me, even just a fraction as much as these men do. She looks at me, also with tears in her eyes.

I can't stop myself now from reaching up to hug her, and relief floods me when she hugs me back with just as much fierceness. "Don't apologise, Bee. None of this was your fault. It was all a giant misunderstanding." I cry into her arms as she does the same. We stay like that for a few more seconds until I pull away.

Rory looks to both Alexei and Nikolai, something glimmering in her eyes. I've only seen that look a few times in my life, and it's never meant anything good. But maybe things can be different for Rory. Maybe she can make a nice happy life for herself with these men, they clearly care for her a lot. "Could you both please leave us alone?" She asks gently.

They both don't appear too happy at her request, but Nikolai bows his head. "We'll be right outside, yell if you need anything."

Rory smiles and Nikolai gives me a hard look, "Remember what we said." and then both of the men leave.

Once the door shuts, Rory takes my hand in hers and her calm looks slips away instantly. "Someone is after you."

.

A/N

Hey guys, sorry for the mega short chapter. I have absolutely no time to write at the moment so bare with me and I will do what I can. Thanks so much for the recent support of this book. Love ya'll xx