Page 28 of Lies Beneath Secrets

“Her husband?” Her head tilts to the side, clearly confused.

“I met her a few years ago. The guy she was married to was in prison. It was a one-night stand that resulted in Gabby. It wasn’t until she was born that I learned about her and still, her mom didn’t want me involved. So, like a coward, I left it alone. Fast forward to a couple months ago, I get a call saying that I needed to come pick her up.”

“Oh, I’m sorry—” I hold up my hand to stop her.

“No, don’t be sorry. I don’t know why I didn’t want to tell you. I mean, fuck, it’s why Gabby barely speaks. She saw the whole thing, Lauren. My daughter watched that piece of shit murder her mother right in the kitchen, while she hid in the cupboard.” She gasps and covers her mouth with her hand; small tears fill her eyes but don’t fall.

“That poor baby girl,” she whispers.

“I know you two go to the same therapist and that something traumatic must have happened to you too,” I say and watch as those tears suddenly dry up, and her spine straighten. “It’s okay,” I try to tell her, but she shakes her head.

“No, it’s not.” She steps back when I make a move to get closer to her. “I can’t do this now, Conner.” She’s running. Shit, why did I tell her that part?

“Lauren,” I say sternly when she starts to walk away.

“I said that I can’t do this right now, maybe not ever. You can let yourself out. I need to get to work.” I try to stop her again, but she’s quick about getting the door open and dashing out into the hallway.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Con

She has been avoiding me; there’s no doubt in my mind. I even dared to go to the diner with Gabby. She must have decided to take a break when she saw us walk in. As much as I wanted to storm to the back of the diner and force her to talk to me, I held myself back. Maybe this is all for the best. I didn’t find shit in that journal of hers. She isn’t talking to that damn prick of a cop Eli. She’s not a threat, which is what I’ve relayed to King. He’s sitting in his chair, feet propped up on the table. “Then your attention needs to come back to the club,” he tells me as he pulls out a joint from his pocket. “There’s plenty to do.” I watch as he takes a hit from the joint, then offers it to me. Not wanting to reject the man, I take the offering and suck in a long drag, filling my lungs. Nodding, I keep the smoke in for a moment before blowing it out.

“I’ll be moving back over to Knox’s place. Better for my kid there.”

“Fine.” King waves his hand. “I expect you to be here tonight.” He eyes me. “Fuck a girl, play some poker, I don’t give a shit. Just be here.”

“Yeah,” I relent and take one more pull when he offers the joint again. “I’m here, Prez.” He seems to be satisfied with my answer and waves me off when his phone buzzes to life.

“Close that door behind you,” he calls out when I step outside the small office he claimed as his own. Boe never had an office; he conducted all business at the table with everyone present.

Making my way out into the bar, Knox is there to greet me, cigar already in hand. “Moving back in with you it looks like,” I tell him as we walk in stride to the bar.

“King call you off?”

“Yep, nothing more to do there. Girl doesn’t know anything.” I pull out a stool to sit. I need a drink right fucking now but Siena is down at the other end of the bar, talking to Brucie and Jasper.

“Siena!” Knox yells. She turns our way, holding up a finger at him, before bringing her attention back to Brucie and Jasper. “What the fuck?” Knox’s forehead wrinkles before he hops up onto the bar and grabs the green bottle of scotch on the top makeshift shelf. “Tell me to wait,” he mutters around his cigar as he pours both a glass for me and him.

“I said just a second,” Siena says when she comes to Knox’s side.

“Is that what that was?” Knox puts the cork back onto the bottle, then hands it to her.

“You could tell them to help,” she quips and glances over to where Tina and a couple of the girls are before walking away from us.

“She’s in a fucking mood.” Knox hops back over the bar. “Still cute as hell though,” he says, picking up the bottle and his glass.

“And out of your league,” I scoff and follow him with my glass over to the empty card table.

“So, is that little brunette who you’ve been playing house with?” He sits down and uncorks the bottle, filling up his already empty glass. “How’s that going?”

“Just fucking told you. It’s done.” I can’t help the annoyance that comes out in my tone.

“You fucked her, didn’t you?” I nearly choke on my drink, then shoot a glare his way. Only when I’m about to open up my mouth and lie does he stop me. “I fucking knew it.” He shakes his head, shoulders bouncing with laughter as he pulls out his little black box from inside his cut.

“Fuck you,” I hiss and drink back the rest of what’s in my glass, ready to get up and leave when a woman I don’t know comes over to our table. Her long legs are the first things I see. Then, as my gaze drags up her body, I do my best to try to get a rise from her. Taking in the plump lips on her face and her tits that are spilling out of her tight leather corset top.

Fucking nothing.

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