Page 50 of Justified Lies

“She wanted discretion. Not that this is any of your business, but at the end of the year she would stop receiving alimony. She wanted a glorified position with zero skills because we made out in high school. I told her I was sorry I couldn’t help her and that was that.”

Lianna watched him, wishing she could determine if he was telling the truth.

“Was there anything else? I gotta get home.”

“No.”

“Lock the door behind you and don’t open it again unless you know who’s on the other side. Next time you might not be so lucky.”

Lianna watched him walk to his car without a backwards glance, his tone chilling her to the core. Obeying his command, she closed the door and locked it. Then she immediately went to the alarm panel and activated it. Unsure if it was Darren’s words or the man’s icy presence, something told her she shouldn’t ignore his warnings.

Chapter Fifteen

Monday morning reared its ugly head, trying its best to live up to the insufferable first day of the week status. The sky spit down on the windshield as Gabe drove Jacob to school. He refused to allow his mood to mimic the darkness around him.

He still hadn’t spoken to Lianna since yesterday morning’s debacle. She hadn’t returned his calls, so he left her alone. She must need some space to deal with, well, everything. Finding out her neighbor was dangerous, fighting with her brother-in-law and the night they shared. This morning he had a plan.

Turning down the street a block away from school, Gabe smiled when he saw her parked vehicle. Lianna once described to him in a comical fashion, how much anxiety the school drop-off line caused. He could imagine her cute face twisted in annoyance at one of the many minivans cutting her off. She avoided it all by parking a street away and walking the extra distance to school.

Pulling a U-turn, he parked behind her car. Jacob buzzed with energy as Gabe dragged him and all his gear out of the back seat. Gabe pitied the poor teacher who handled these kids for six hours every day.

“Who plays tonight, Dad?” Jacob huffed as he shouldered the backpack that neared his own body weight.

“I think it’s Chargers at Denver, buddy.”

“Lame.”

Gabe smirked. It did promise to be a dull game. He was proud Jacob knew enough about football to realize that. Some kids could count to one hundred in prime numbers, some could recite the alphabet in reverse, and Gabe’s kid could name all thirty-two NFL football teams and mascots.

As they approached the building, nervous energy had Gabe buzzing right along with Jacob. Almost immediately he spotted Lianna off to the side, speaking with another woman. Seeing her was like a gut punch. He had to focus to breathe. What had he done treating her so harshly? He would sell his soul to go back to yesterday morning when they were still lying in bed. Instead of rushing out, he would hold her in his arms, spend the morning loving her. She would be safe.

“Dad. Dad!” Jacob was pulling at Gabe’s sleeve.

“Huh?” Gabe pulled his eyes away from Lianna with the same difficulty as pulling two magnets apart.

“I said bye!” The little kid yelled up at Gabe, his sweet voice full of exasperation.

“Have a great day, pal, love ya,” Gabe replied, ruffling his son’s hair.

“See ya.” Jacob ran in the door and out of view.

After watching the boy bound into school, Gabe turned and started in the direction of the two women. Stopping a few feet away, he balanced not intruding on their conversation, with getting noticed. It must have been one intriguing conversation because neither of them spared him a glance.

Gabe took a step closer, stuffing his hands nervously in his pocket. This time he caught the blonde’s attention. She gave him the once over, then glared like he was going to snatch her fancy purse and run. Lianna followed her friend’s gaze. Her eyes momentarily widened when she saw him, then she pasted on a neutral expression.

Just as fast as Lianna had turned to him, she turned back away. Gabe couldn’t hear everything but enough to know that she was wrapping up her discussion with blondie. He used the time to compose himself, remember his plan.

“Casual day?” Lianna asked, her perfect brows pulling together as she walked towards him.

Gabe looked down at his jeans, forgetting that he was out of his usual work attire. When he woke up this morning, he called in to let the department know he was taking a personal day. It was so out of character, Dan had texted him within minutes to find out what was up. Gabe chickened out and told his friend he was sick. He never called out for personal reasons and it was making him itch. But it was worth it; she was worth it.

“Yeah, I’m not going in today.”

Phase two of the plan had commenced. Looking perplexed, Lianna tilted her head. A bouncy spiral escaped from where she had her hair pulled back.

“Why?”

Before he could respond she answered her own question.

---