Page 49 of Justified Lies

“Hold on, I’m going to peek out the window to see if I can tell who it is.”

Lianna had a sneaky suspicion she knew who was at her door and welcomed this interaction. Gabe had called several times, so she knew they were due a conversation. Based on his recent behavior he felt entitled to an audience whenever he damn well pleased. She may be in love with the man, but that didn’t mean she would allow him to pull her strings like a puppet. Been there, done that. Well, not anymore.

Gabe may have needed sex, she offered it, now he felt stuck mopping up her mess. No matter how much she wished his affection originated in something stronger than lust, she refused to be pitied. He had been so angry with her earlier and she really couldn’t blame him. He signed up for an orgasm or two, not babysitting duties. It was apparent they would have a very awkward discussion in their near future. She seriously doubted either of them would be happy at its conclusion.

A quick glance out the window beside the door deflated the hope she had of it being Gabe.

“Izzy, hold on, I think it’s Darren. His back is to the door.”

“Your miserable brother-in-law, who told you off the last time you spoke? At least stay on the line with me.”

“Okay.” Pulling the door open, the man turned and it was in fact Darren.

“Catch you at a bad time?” Darren said flatly.

“Izzy, I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Call soon as he leaves!”

“Bye.”

Disconnecting, Lianna put on a brave face as she focused her attention on her visitor.

“Hey, Darren, I wasn’t expecting you.”

Narrowing his eyes in the snake-like way he’d perfected, he scolded her. “Then you shouldn’t be opening the door for strangers, especially given your recent series of unfortunate events.”

Lianna glared at him in response, stupefied at how he could use what had happened to chide her. He must have accurately read her expression because he wiped the smug look off his face.

“Look, I need to talk to you, can I come in?”

“No.” The word was out of her mouth before she even had time to mean it.

Darren looked surprised but didn’t challenge her.

“Okay. I ah…” He looked dejected and maybe a little nervous. “I shouldn’t have treated you or spoken to you the way I did the other night. But honestly, I’m a little pissed that you thought I could do the deranged things your weird neighbor did. Just because I don’t like you, doesn’t mean I have time to tip-toe around like a teenager pranking you. I’m actually running the family business we all profit so well from,” he said from atop his soap box.

“Was that an apology, Darren?”

The pointed tone seemed to irk him, but she was too tired for this. She was physically exhausted and mentally sick of him treating her like crap.

He nodded. “Yeah, I’m sorry.”

The man even managed to apologize with an air of superiority. As usual, Lianna took the high road.

“Apology accepted. No one wins when families fight.”

Darren opened his mouth to issue a retort but quickly thought better of it, simply nodding again. Then he stood there looking at her as if he were weighing something in his mind.

After several silent moments, Lianna broke the quiet. “Why did Justine Starks come to see you at the office?”

“How do you know about that?”

“Is that your answer? Because if Nicki hears that…”

“Whoa, there is nothing to tell! I said the same thing to the detectives I spoke to during the board meeting. She was looking for a job.”

“Then why didn’t she apply like everyone else?”

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