Page 46 of Lies Beneath Secrets

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn him.

“Think about what?” He chuckles and feigns ignorance.

“She’s a married woman, to a damn mayor even. That’s a whole lot of trouble you’d be asking for,” I warn him.

“I’m no home wrecker.” He looks over at Pace as if he will come to his defense.

“Don’t look at me, brother. I know how much you like a challenge.” Pace laughs, shaking his head.

“Just leave it be. I’m on thin ice enough as it is with Lauren. I don’t need you busting up her sister’s life because you were wiggling your bean,” I scold Knox.

“Bean?” Knox barks out a laugh. “Try beanstalk.” I shake my head. “You talk to Siena. I’m going to make sure Lauren knows the plan. Let’s try not to get fucking killed.” I leave them both to go to the room Lauren is locked up in. Taking out the key, I open it up to find her sitting up at the head of the bed arms wrapped around her legs with her head resting on her knees.

“Bad dream?” Without moving, her gaze flicks up to me, and she gives the slightest head nod. “This nightmare will all be over soon.” I try to reassure her as I go to sit by her side.

“It’s not a nightmare.” She raises her head now. “Just an… inconvenience.” I chuckle at her take on the situation.

“You would say being kidnapped by a biker club was an inconvenience.” I reach up and run my fingers through her hair. It’s draped over one shoulder and slightly tangled. When I reach a snag, I decide to go back up and grip it in my hand to drag her closer to me. She whimpers slightly when our lips connect before my tongue demands entry. “Come here,” I say and pull her from under the covers so she’s straddling me. My hand leaves her hair to palm each side of her face. “I need you to listen very carefully to what I’m going to say.”

Chapter

Lauren

When Con pulls me to his lap, I don’t think there will be much talking. I am very wrong. “King is going to try to kill both of us today,” he says, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles from my chest.

“Really? Today? How is today different from any other day?”

“It just is, okay?” he growls and smacks my ass as best he can, given the angle. “Now listen.” His brow crease deepens, and a darkness drifts into his eyes. “I need to go on a run. Siena is going to get you at some point today and sneak you out of the clubhouse. You’ll need to walk to Knox’s place. He has a safe-room in the basement. Gabby, Kaleb, and Kendra will be there. If anything happens, that’s where all of you will go. Stay there and do not under any circumstances open that door unless me, Knox or Pace comes for you. Got it?” As much as my mind is screaming at me to make a joke and break the seriousness of this conversation, I know now is not the time, so I nod. “Say it, Lauren.”

“I understand, Con. I won’t open it.” He nods, then pulls something out from behind his back. He produces a black gun with a gray handle.

“You ever shoot a gun before?” I nod, remembering how hard the thing flung me backward.

“My mom dated some redneck guy who had a room full of them. He was adamant that aliens would land on earth, and we would have to defend…” I pause, noticing that his face has gone from serious to more of a surprised slash curious look. So, I decide to just get right to the point. “Yes. I have.”

“One of these days when we aren’t buried in so much shit, I want to hear everything about your life before me.” I laugh at him.

“Sure.” Con shakes his head, knowing full well that my ‘sure’ means no.

“If anyone who isn’t Siena comes through that door,” he points at the door to the room, “I want you to kill them.”

“What about?—”

“Anyone,” he says, cutting me off. “I won’t be back before she comes to get you.” I nod and take the gun from him. “It’s loaded.” I nod and move to get off his lap, but he holds me still. “One more,” he whispers and brushes his lips against mine. This time, much softer than when he first came into the room. Nothing about Con has been soft since I found out who he really was. WhileConnerwas who I started to fall for,Conis who I crashed into at full force. There isn’t any going back. I’ll be a part of this now whether I like it or not. Deep down, I know that.

I just might not have fully accepted it.

CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR

Con

The drive to the port in Michigan is close to five hours and by the way Jasper is driving its going to take ten. “You do know the speed limit is 70?” I criticize.

“I’d rather not draw suspicion to us,” he says, flicking on his turn signal to get off on an exit.

“And driving like an old lady is going to do that? And why the fuck are you stopping off here? Need to piss again?” He’s already made two piss stops so far and I’m about to lose it on the guy.

“Need gas.” He puts the van in park next to a gas pump. “This place looks like a dump,” he comments and takes the keys from the ignition, then pockets them. Something he didn’t do the last time we stopped. I eye the action, then look around. The gas station seems almost deserted along the busy freeway. It’s still early in the day I suppose but when Jasper gets out of the van, a feeling of dread creeps up my spine. I take out my gun and put one in the chamber, keeping it in my hand. Ready for whatever is about to happen. I watch Jasper go around the van and over to the side to pump gas.

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