Twisted Lies 4 (Dirty Secrets)

by Sedona Venez

Jade confided. “I don’t feel right about being so far away from Mom and you right now. That’s it. I’m coming back home. Fuck shooting this movie. You two are my family. We have to stick together.”

  I banged my fist against the counter. “Don’t you dare, Jade.” This was exactly what I didn’t want to happen. Her dropping everything just to come back to New York. “You worked too damn hard to make your project a reality. I’m going to be fine. I swear.”

  “Dammit,” she swore. “I hate being so far away. Especially when everyone I love is going through some major, real-life crisis shit. My mom is feuding with Cate over that fucker Bigsby. And now you and your break-in. I can’t just sit here with my thumb up my ass. I feel useless.”

  I hated hearing the despair in her voice.

  “Jade, we’ll both be okay. Stay where you are. Your movie is important to you… to all of us.”

  “Not as important as you two.” Jade countered.

  My jaw hardened. There was no way I could live with myself if she gave up her dream just to come back here and babysit me. That was exactly why I hadn’t called her when everything in my life went to shit… starting with the break-in. I didn’t want her to worry, and I damn sure didn’t want her to give up her dream because of me.

  “You are not coming back to New York until you finish what you started. At least one of us has to have their dreams come true. This movie is yours.”

  “But—”

  “Enough, Jade. If shit gets unmanageable, I’ll call you. And only then will you hop on a plane and come home. Okay?” I insisted.

  “Okay.” She confirmed in a tired voice. “Well then, tell me something… anything to distract me from the clusterfuck of my life.”

  “Well…” I bit into another macaron, chewing thoughtfully. “I can officially cross have an all-night sexathon off my to-do list.”

  “All night?” Jade interrupted.

  “And morning,” I shot back.

  “Holy shit! You stayed until morning?”

  “Yes.” My lips pressed together in a slight grimace.

  “Interesting…” Jade murmured.

  I furrowed my brows. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Oh, nothing. So you know the drill. What’s his performance score?”

  “Eleven.” I grinned. “No, scratch that. He’s a twelve. I forgot to add points for this genius and wildly creative thing that he does with his tongue that makes me so delirious every time he does it. Like this morning when he was mid-swirl, I swore I saw a unicorn frolicking through a meadow.”

  Jade screamed, “Oh. My. God. You’ve never rated a lover a twelve.”

  I shrugged. “Because he’s that good.”

  “Okay, bonus round. What’s his conversation score?”

  I thought about all the conversations Core and I had. But there was one moment last night that stuck out—when I’d decided to lay my feelings out like a rug before Core…

  “You don’t know how much this means to me—you being here for me,” I whispered to him.

  His eyes were passionate, and his words were fierce in response. “I always protect what I care for.”

  My heart had jerked at the truth laid out in his words. They confirmed what I’d secretly suspected—that Core would destroy anyone and everyone who dared try to harm me.

  Frankly, I liked that kind of devotion because it was something most men didn’t have anymore.

  “Same score,” I answered. “Twelve. He’s intelligent, funny, and very intense, but he keeps me interested.”

  I bit my lip, contemplating the enigma that was Core. He was the complete opposite of everything that I’d thought he was, and little by little, Core McKay was unveiling who the man truly was.

  A man who cared about me.

  A man with a damn heart.

  “But he’s complicated,” I started, “and dangerous with a whole lot of crazy mixed in.” I stared into space. “Plus, Tabitha’s back.”

  Jade scoffed. “Back from where? The asylum?”

  “She sure as hell looked like it… but it was more than that. It’s the unnerving shit she mentioned today.”

  “Like what?”

  “That Core had sought me out. He came to her to broker an introduction to me—like he used Tabitha just to get to me. Worse, they’re not even friends. What do you make of that?”

  Jade snapped, “Anything that comes out of Tabitha’s mouth is utter bullshit. I warned you about her years ago. I never liked or trusted her. She’s a pretentious bitch who’s fixated on outshining you—her protégé.”

  “And you were right.”

  Jade and Tabitha never got along. Jade hated Tabitha’s biting, acidic personality, and Tabitha resented Jade’s privileged lifestyle.

  “But today, what Tabitha disclosed about Core rang true. Though, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why he wanted to meet me.”

  “Did you ask him?”

  “I called him and left a message for him to call me back.”

  “Nope,” Jade simply stated.

  “Nope what?” I asked.

  “Not the way to go about this shit. In person. Have the discussion with him face to face. You’ll be able to tell whether he’s lying then.”

  I sighed heavily. “You might have a point.”

  “I always do,” she quipped and then yawned. “I’m exhausted already. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

  “Try that sleep app with white noise that I nagged you to buy before you left.” I urged. “You should be asleep in no time.”

  “Okay, but call me… no matter what time, and tell me how it goes with him.”

  “I will.”

  Jade sighed. “And, Sin… please be careful, all right?”

  “I will. Love you, girlie.”

  “Love you more, Sin.”

  STRIDING OUT OF CORE’S BUILDING, I felt sexy but warrior-tough in my little black dress, paired with thigh-high boots and a leather jacket. Now I was ready to do battle against Core at dinner tonight.

  Zuri was talking to a sandy-haired man who was leaning against a sleek black SUV.

  The man pushed away from the vehicle, tilting his head toward me. “Well, hello, sweet cheeks. Remember me?” He grinned.

  I eyed the man who was built like a tank. “How could I forget? You and your sidekick—”

  “My brother, Rocco.” He interrupted. “I’m Max.”

  I arched a brow. “Well, Max”—I widened my stance—“you and Rocco refusing to let me onto the rooftop was a prick move.”

  “Oh, come on, sweet cheeks. Don’t hold that against us,” he replied. “At the time, the roof was reserved for Core. But I do recall we did let you onto it to spend some private time with Core.” He suggestively waggled his eyebrows at me.

  Zuri rolled her eyes before jabbing him in the side. “Don’t be crude, Max.”

  “Ouch!” he grumbled. “Woman, don’t poke me with that bony elbow of yours.” He glared at Zuri. “I was just pointing out a fact.”

  She eyed me. “He’s like a little boy sometimes. You’ll get used to him… eventually.” She pursed her lips. “I’m going home. Max will be driving you over to the restaurant to meet Core.” She touched my elbow. “Sin, you have my number. Call me if you need to talk, okay?”

  I smiled at her. She looked exhausted.

  “Yes. We’ll chat.” I hugged her before stepping back.

  She winked at me. “Have a good time tonight.” She got into her vehicle and drove away.

  Max opened the back door to his SUV.

  “Thank you,” I replied, maneuvering inside.

  Shutting the door, he strode around to the driver’s side before sliding in and driving off into the Manhattan traffic.

  After a few minutes of zipping in and out of the snarl of taxicabs and buses, it didn’t take long for Max to pull up in front of a restaurant that I recognized from a foodie magazine—Redemption.

  Anxiously, I smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in my dress, waitin
g for Max to open my door.

  “Have a good time,” Max remarked as I stepped out.

  “Thank you,” I replied before striding toward the inconspicuous doorman, who opened the door, allowing me to step into the dim, upscale restaurant. I was trying to hide my excitement and morbid curiosity. This was my first time at the well-known private restaurant owned by a former model named Vivica.

  I observed the celebs inconspicuously sauntering around before a willowy redhead with ample cleavage on display approached me with a huge smile, which I returned, immediately recognizing that she was wearing one of my designs.

  “Love the dress,” I complimented, trying not to act like a total fangirl. But inside I was jumping up and down. One of the most recognized and famous models in the world—Vivica—was wearing something I’d created.

  “Well, I love your designs, Sinthia Michaels,” she answered.

  I was flattered that she’d recognized me. “Thank you. Believe me; it looks fab on you.”

  “Thank you, darling.” She winked. “And welcome to my sinful establishment”—she gestured dramatically—“Redemption.”

  “I’m meeting Core McKay,” I replied.

  “I know. He’s waiting for you,” she replied. “Right this way.”

  We sliced through the space, and I admired the exquisitely designed restaurant draped with rich fabric across the ceiling. The Moroccan flair made the space feel both exotic and elegant. Bypassing the seated patrons, we eventually arrived at a long hallway that led to a flight of stairs. At the top of the staircase, she pushed open the door.

  “And here we are,” Vivica announced. “Have fun, darling,” she drawled before sauntering away.

  My gaze swept across the lit rooftop with its medieval architecture and vines hugging the bricks. Candles were strategically placed, giving the space a sultry, romantic vibe. A table nestled in the center of the rooftop was set with candles and an elaborate table setting.

  Core stepped out of the shadows, studying me with no smile. In fact, his eyes were the most serious I’d ever seen.

  I tilted my head, and my eyes traveled up his tall, well-built body. Muscles bunched beneath his crisp, tailored white shirt, and his rolled-up sleeves displayed the tattoos on his forearms. His collar was unbuttoned, and all I could focus on was the all-seeing eye tattoo on his neck. He looked delicious and dangerous.

  My stomach popped and gurgled like a freshly opened bottle of Pellegrino.

  Damn. This doesn’t bode well for me.

  I felt my hands grow moist.

  His searing steel-gray eyes made me visualize seriously wicked, naughty things.

  Shit. Shit. Shit. Sin, focus.

  Keep your eyes on the prize. He has some damn explaining to do about his relationship with Tabitha.

  He regarded me for a long time before smoothing a hand across his blunt-cut midnight-black hair.

  “You look absolutely beautiful,” he drawled in that ridiculously gruff tone.

  My cunt clenched like it recognized its master’s voice. As the cool air whirled around us, I sashayed toward him. Stopping before him, I tilted my head, and my eyes traveled up his body. Core under the bright moonlight was like a work of art.

  “And you’re late,” he informed me with a velvet voice.

  I considered him from head to toe and looked back again to his hard lips. “Well, hello to you, too,” I replied before leveling him with an irritated stare.

  He arched a brow.

  I coolly glared at him before gliding around him to take in the beautiful views of downtown and uptown Manhattan, as well as the Hudson River.

  There was a loud clearing of a throat from the entrance to the rooftop. Laden with dishes, the waiter and another server stood looking at us as if asking for permission to enter.

  “Sin, let’s have a seat.” Core urged.

  I nodded, allowing him to escort me to the table where he pulled out my chair, and I sat down while watching him take the opposite seat.

  Both waiter and server approached the table.

  “Bone marrow with veal cheek marmalade, foie gras fried rice with shredded duck and coriander, crispy duck wings with yuzu kosho, grilled clams flecked with Calabrian chilies, pasta spiked with pink peppercorns, and squash-stuffed ravioli with hazelnuts,” the waiter announced as the server grandly set the small sharing plates down in the center of the table, carefully avoiding a stack of papers held down by a glass. “Enjoy,” he finished with a bow of his head.

  “Are you feeding an army?”

  Core smiled, a slow lifting of perfect lips to reveal straight white teeth. “I didn’t know what you’d like, so I took the liberty of ordering some of their popular dishes for you to try.”

  “I see,” I croaked before clearing my throat. I kind of liked that he had taken the initiative to make sure I was properly fed with a well-selected sampling of a foodie’s wet dream.

  The server poured water into our glasses while the waiter beamed at me. “What would you like to drink?”

  “I’ll have a Moscow mule,” I answered.

  “And I’ll have a Jack on the rocks,” Core replied.

  The waiter and server roamed away.

  We eyed each other for a full minute before I couldn’t stand the silence anymore. “Busy day?” I asked.

  “It was very… enlightening.” He narrowed his eyes as he continued to assess me with a combination of curiosity and intense interest.

  “For me, too.” I knew he was toying with me, but I was in no mood for games.

  Core put a small plate in front of me, scooping a teeny portion of foie gras fried rice and putting several crispy duck wings with yuzu kosho onto it.

  With butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I was not in the mood to eat right now, despite the delicious offering. “So are we going to talk about Tabitha or not?” I brought the glass of water to my lips, sipping slowly.

  “We’ll talk about Tabitha, but first, I need to get this out of the way. There’s something on the table for you.” He gestured to the stack of papers under the glass before filling his plate with food.

  What is Core up to now?

  I picked up the papers. “What’s this?” I asked.

  “A contract giving you back full control of your company.” Core leveled his gaze on me.

  My breath hitched. “Why?” A flush of adrenaline tingled through my body.

  He ate a forkful of rice while staring at me. He swallowed before asking, “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  “No!” I snapped my mouth shut, gathering my thoughts. “I mean, yes. It’s just… sudden. Only weeks ago, you seemed pretty adamant that our business relationship was going to remain intact, and now… this?”

  Yes. I am happy but also perplexed.

  “Sin, sign it.”

  I scanned all the papers, and the contract was exactly what he’d explained. He was giving me back full control of my company. Happiness zinged through me, and then I froze.

  But what does this really mean?

  Is Core withdrawing all financial support for my business?

  And if he did, I would be screwed. The only reason I wanted a financial investor from the get-go was because I needed money, lots of it. And now that my collection was ruined and I was starting from scratch, I needed Core—I mean, his money… more than ever.

  My heart raced when another horrible thought filled my head.

  Is he breaking up with me?

  I wasn’t egotistical, but a woman had to have her pride. It was all good when I was considering walking away from him, but for Core to beat me to the punch? That shit was frankly ego-bruising.

  Heat flushed through my body. My emotions went from calm to rage in seconds.

  Oh, hell no! Who the fuck does he think he is?

  Then the numbness set in, and my emotional walls went up.

  Fuck him. I’ll survive.

  I zeroed in on where it was flagged for me to sign. My fingers shook a little before I steadied myself.
>
  He quickly signed, too. “It’s done.” He confirmed, pushing the documents back under the glass.

  The server arrived with our drinks on a silver tray. Swiftly, he placed them in front of us before scurrying away.

  My throat was parched for liquid courage. Picking up my Moscow mule, which was in a cool copper mug, I drank thirstily, feeling the smooth burn of alcohol before placing the cup down. “All right, Core. Now tell me what the hell is going on.” I looked in his direction, my eyes suspicious.

  He studied me for a moment, long and hard. Then he frowned, deep creases forming around his brow and lips. He rubbed his fingers over his lips, and more time passed before he spoke. “What if you had to tell a person the most important thing that they needed to know, and you knew they wouldn’t believe you?”

  Uh-oh… this is bad.

  I’d never seen Core this somber.

  “I’d tell them,” I whispered.

  “Bigsby is the man who killed my mother.”

  I blinked and then blinked again.

  Wait. What?

  “Bigsby Calhoune?” My question came out with a tinge of hysteria because right now, I felt like I was losing my fucking mind. “How did you come to that conclusion?”

  “The man who placed the gun to my mother’s head still wears the custom-made gold ruby-and-diamond-encrusted horseshoe ring on his middle finger.”

  A ring?

  I let the words roll around in my head before I sputtered, “You’re basing such a serious accusation on a damn ring?” I frowned. “Do you know how many men could have that same piece of jewelry?”

  “One,” Core answered, holding up a finger. “Bigsby told me he’s had his ring for over forty years and that it’s custom-made.”

  Okay… none of this shit makes any sense.

  “Cut to the fucking chase, Core. What the hell does this shit have to do with me?” My heart was racing like a rabbit because I suspected I wouldn’t like his answer.

  “The man who shot me and my mother wore a gold ruby-and-diamond-encrusted horseshoe ring. I’ve been looking for years for that man. When I finally found the owner of the ring—Bigsby—I had Kevin dig up everything he could on him.”

  My eyes narrowed. “And?”

  “Kevin found out that Bigsby was looking into your business. And I knew if he was interested in your business, there had to be a pretty damn good reason.”