Page 59 of Conflicted Lies

I wonder if everyone in this room would still think that if they knew what her twisted idea of a muse is. Then again, it’s probably why she feels so trapped.

I’m not a good man. I’ll exploit those weaknesses to create space for a confession.

Hope’s gaze drifts over to me, but she’s quick to look away. Me being here is more than enough to rattle her.

As long as I’m still under her skin, then I know everything I’m doing to piss her off is working.

I smirk. Good. Because the wilder she is, the more likely she’s going to make a mistake.

CHAPTER31

Hope

Maybe my mother telling me this thing I have with Braxton is just a fling and nothing else is the kick in the ass I needed. Even if I lied about the true extent of how I know Braxton, my mother isn’t stupid, and she’ll most likely be watching me a lot closer now.

Sex with Braxton is great, in a volatile way, but if I’m going to kill him, I need to do it soon. It’s all starting to get a little too complicated for something that feels so good. I do the bare minimum of mingling and enjoy a drink with my mother before deciding to leave. I put in my time, and now I’m ready to leave, my social battery exhausted.

My mother is buzzing, and she just got off the phone with my father, briefly telling him all about the show and how proud of me she is. It’s nice, and I’m really glad I decided to invite her tonight. We’ve collected our jackets and are making our way down to the car, which is waiting for us at the curb. The driver opens the back door for us, and I’m halfway down the stairs when a single drop of rain falls from the sky to my cheek as a storm rolls in.

“Shortcake.” I take another step, ignoring him, and then my mother snags my attention. She’s watching us carefully.Fuck. If I don’t address him at all, she’s going to be even more suspicious.

I look over my shoulder as another raindrop falls on my face. I pin him with a glare that silently tells him not to speak to me. Kylie is next to him, and she slides a hand around his elbow, an obvious claim, and some creature within me claws to get out. It’s fucking infuriating wanting to make an obvious declaration of possession. But he’s not mine to have. Only in death.

Something transpires between Braxton and me in this moment. Something dangerous and unspoken. He’s skirting a line in front of my mother, but I don’t know if the risks will be enough to hold him back from crossing it.

“Tonight’s been a success, wouldn’t you say, Hope?” Kylie interrupts before Braxton can say anything. What, is he going to do some childish grand gesture? Chase after me? Tell me that I have the wrong idea about him and Kylie? Fuck off with that. I have two eyes. And he and I were nothing serious anyway. “You somehow always manage to surprise me,” she says lightly as she gazes up at Braxton and then turns to my mother. Pretty fucking bold, considering how much she usually pretends to be my best friend. But it gives me satisfaction to know I’ve gotten so deeply under her skin, even if she’s holding the one man who brings me to life, which is precisely why he has to die. I don’t like anyone having this type of power over me.

“Yes, full of surprises tonight,” I reply with an insincere smile. This jealous, vicious feeling inside me draws out the part of me I try my hardest to hide. The image of cutting her hands from her body to keep her from touching him flashes clear and sharp in my mind. I can’t help but feel the sense that I’m being watched. Most likely by my mother.

“Have a good night.” I turn and head for the car as the rain starts to get heavier. I want to claw at my chest to free this vile creature. Is this what jealousy feels like? I can’t fucking stand it. And I hate the fact that Kylie has never really bothered me up until now. I don’t like her touching him, breathing the same air as him, so much as looking in his direction.

I try to shove it down, knowing too well I need to bleed this into my art.

My mother and I slide into the car, and she’s quiet. I look out the tinted window and notice a car parked across from us. I squint and adjust my glasses. I’m certain it’s Lucas, Braxton’s partner. Well, fuck me, isn’t it a family affair.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Mom asks quietly.

“What do you mean?” I ask, keeping my tone even. I don’t want her to have any suspicions about Braxton and me, but she looks at me as if she understands every cruel and vile thing going through my mind. I hate not being in control of myself or my emotions. I literally have everything I want, so why the fuck do I care about who he does and doesn’t see?

Why the fuck am I spiraling?

I don’t glance back at them when we leave. If Braxton wanted to go out of his way to piss me off, he’s well and truly made a point. I’m severing myself from him until the final blow.

I pull out my phone and text Hawke. I doubt someone like him would have ever felt jealousy. Perhaps only for his brother’s undying attention, but for some reason, I want a distraction. I want to go out for an evening to let my hair down in a way that I haven’t before.

I know I should move on from Braxton. But the only way I can see this connection between us severing is with his death. Killing him is what I’ve set out to do from the start, so when did I become so rusty on that pursuit?

CHAPTER32

Hope

Aweek later I’m in a private booth at Lucy’s. The whole gang is here, and it’s been some time since I’ve seen everyone together. At least this way, I won’t have to worry about a certain asshole detective showing up. He wouldn’t be daring enough to come into a place Eli Monti owns.

Jewel is sitting on Eli’s lap, laughing at something he said, though he doesn’t get why it’s funny. But he stares at her with such love in his eyes that it makes me want to gag. Dutton is standing behind Posie, who is dancing with Ivy. I plan on joining them soon.

“Another one,” I say happily as I pour us all a round of shots.

“Damn, Hope, you’re not wanting to remember tonight, are you?” Billie says from her seat next to me. She takes a shot glass. However, I was never concerned about keeping up.

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