Page 71 of 7 Dirty Lies

Colt’s mother was beautiful.She had long dark hair and clear skin, dressed in a red skirt and matching polka-dot blouse.“Jacquelyn Hunter Landry.”She held out her hand.“I thought it was about time I met the woman playingmypart.”

Thank god Colt didn’t have some sort of mom-fetish or this word play would getcreepyfast.

“It’s my great honor to meet you Mrs.Landry.As you can see I need to change before I can properlygreetyou.”

She arched an eyebrow.“Let’s not play these games.You’ve spent all morning in my son’s bedroom and you’re wearing hisshirt.”

Oh god.“Still, I think a pair of pants are inorder.”

She didn’t move a muscle on her perfect face.“You didn’t need them to go prancing about as if you owned this house, now did you?”She waved and Grayson appeared.“Coffee in the familydiningroom.”

Then she turned, beckoning me to follow.I shot Christina a look that screamedhelp mebut she just shrugged.Grayson on the other hand at least looked horrified on mybehalf.

Bright mid-day sun poured through the floor to ceiling windows.Jacquelyn sat at the head of the table and indicated she expected me to sit to her right, so I did.At least now my bare legs were hidden beneath the table.Now, mind you, I wasn’t embarrassed by my legs or the knowledge that Jacquelyn knew I was banging her son.Nope, I was pretty happy with my body and my life.What I was nervous about was the fact that Colt’s mother was clearly upset with me about something and I didn’t know whatitwas.

It’s really hard to strategize a defense when you don’t know what you’refighting.

Grayson appeared with the coffee.“Thank you,”Jacquelynsaid.

Grayson turned to me.“Colt had to take a business call.I told him you were gathering your costuming for the day and would be back to say goodbye before you left forfilming.”

He was an angel.If Colt knew I was meeting with his mother or worried as to why I’d been gone so long, he’d be down here in full-on bear mode.And while I loved how much he cared, I got the feeling I was going to need time and peace to deal with whatever his mother hadinmind.

I took my coffee black and sat back.“How can I help you, Mrs.Landry?”

She poured cream and sugar, stirring them together.“We’re going to have a nice chat, you and me.We’re going to get to know each other for a bit and then, after you film your last scene today, you’re going to pack your things and leave.”She arched an eyebrow and slid a folder across thetable.

“What’s this?”My hand shook as I reached for it, my cool reserve slipping.I didn’t like the look on her face or the tone of her voice.Plus I wasn’t leaving Colt.I didn’t care what was inside this stupid folder.“If it’s about my parents I’m afraid you’re a day late and a dollar short.The whole world knowsaboutthem.”

“It’s not aboutyourfamily.”

I flipped open the folder and my heart sank.“I don’t understand.”There was so much.It was more than I could comprehendatonce.

“The first five pages are the reason I don’t want you anywhere near my son and daughter.And the last five pages are the reasonyou’llobey.”

I wanted to vomit.Of all the things I’d worried about over the years, of all the reasons I gave Colt to be wary of me, I hadn’t seen any of thiscoming.

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