Page 45 of Truth & Lies

“I need to go make a formal statement,” Aiden says, breaking the silence. “At the very least, I’m facing disciplinary action for impeding a federal investigation, leading to an agent’s kidnapping and shooting.” There’s no missing the resignation, defeat and regret in his voice. When I don’t respond, he continues. “The detectives are going to want to interview you as well.”

I just nod, not looking at him. I rest my cheek against my legs and try to formulate my thoughts into words. “I’m not sorry.”

“What?” he asks and feeling his gaze on me, I meet his eyes.

“For shooting Gavin. If it came down to letting him shoot me or Barrett, I’d do the same thing all over again.”

He reaches over and wraps a hand over mine. “Aly, look at me.” The tone of his voice pulls me out of whatever place I’m in. “I would’ve shot the bastard myself if you hadn’t done it first.”

My eyes widen. “You told me not to. You didn’t want me to shoot him.”

“I didn’t wantyouto be the one taking the shot. That’s not you. You’re not someone who shoots people. You don’t even own a gun for Christ’s sake. And you’re not trained, you’re definitely not experienced, you could’ve hurt yourself and lastly, you’re going to have nightmares about it. Probably for a long fucking time.”

“I’m not sorry,” I whisper, turning my head away and looking out the window. Dusk has given way to night, the fading light slowly being swallowed up by the dark sky.

“Alyssa?”

My head snaps up and around to find my Mom standing in the doorway. “Mom!” I cry, jumping out of my seat and rushing over to her, burying my face in her shoulder as I burst into tears. She clings to me, hugging me tight as her own sobs ringin my ears. “I was so worried about you.”

“It’s going to be okay,” she murmurs, stroking my hair and pressing a kiss to my temple.

We pull apart and needing to see for myself that she’s truly okay, I scan her up and down before meeting her eyes. “How did you get here?”

“A police officer met me at the airport. He told me there had been an incident and I couldn’t go home. So they took me to the police precinct where a female detective sat me down and explained what had happened. Is the man Gavin shot going to be okay?”

My voice breaks and my eyes grow wet. “I . . . I don’t know yet.”

“And . . .” she hesitates before finishing her question, “Gavin?”

Aiden appears beside us. “Mrs. Barnes, I’m Detective Aiden Lawrence. Mr. Barnes was shot in the shoulder and the last update we were given was that he was being prepped for surgery. But he is under police guard and will be arrested and subsequently arraigned when he is up to it.”

“Oh dear God. I think I need to sit down,” Mom replies, swaying a little on her feet. I wrap an arm around her shoulder and lead her over to the nearest chair.

“I’m so sorry, Mom.” One of my hands is still clutched in hers as I take a seat next to her. “I didn’t know where you were and when you didn’t call me, I knew something must be wrong.”

Mum grimaces. “Gavin changed during the honeymoon. He wasn’t the kind-hearted man I knew before the wedding. He was distant and angry. He kept asking about the company and talking about things that had happened to him in the past. I knew you weren’t sure about him and that got me thinking that I might’ve rushed into all of it, so I booked myself into the spa retreat to get some much needed distance.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry I worried you. I was just…” She waves a hand in the air. “Embarassed, I guess. Here’s me finally taking a chance on love again and getting fooled.”

“It’s okay, Mom. He pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes. Not just you.”

“Can I get you ladies a coffee? Water?” Aiden asks.

“Water would be good. Thank you, Detective,” Mom says, looking up and giving him a grateful smile.

When I catch his expression, it’s as unreadable as ever. I know this situation can’t be easy for him, but it’s also awkward as hell because I’m still angry and hurt over his betrayal. His bruised ego almost got Barrett killed, and me hurt. Hell, Barrett isstillnot out of the woods yet. Until I can see the man with my own two eyes andknowthat he’s going to be okay, I won’t believe it.

With a curt nod, Aiden walks out of the room.

“Will you tell me everything that happened?” Mom asks, drawing my attention back to her. She pulls a handkerchief out of her purse and dabs at her eyes.

“I will. Not today, but I promise I will. I’m still trying to process it all myself."

“That’s okay. I completely understand.” Her eyes move to the door where Aiden left out of. “And who’s that man to you?”

“That’s another long story.” I lean forward and rest my elbows on my legs, holding my head up in my hands. “But he made a mistake that led to the incident at your house.”

Mom gasps. “And what about the man Gavin shot?”

I turn to look at my mother. “He’s the man that I love and that turned my life upside down.”

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