Page 136 of Threaded Lies

She angles her head to the side. “Why did you think to ask me about him?”

“Um. I don’t know.” It’s my turn to stumble. My heart is beating so fast I swear she can hear it. “You said you were from around here. I knew he was. I don’t know. I just figured I’d ask.”

“Oh. Okay.” She nods and takes a few steps back. “He was one of the good ones. Sweet and polite when all the other boys were jerks.” She smiles again and looks back down at her hands twisting together. “I’d tell you if you see him again to tell him I said hi, but … I’d rather him not know I’m in here. It’s humiliating, you know?” She lifts her eyebrows as tears well in her eyes.

“I won’t say a word.” I reach out and squeeze her arm. “You did nothing wrong to be here, but I understand.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, and takes a step back. “See you around.”

“See you around,” I repeat.

I watch Penelope Piccadilly walk down the hallway until she turns the corner and I’m left staring at a blank wall.

Everything he told me was a lie.

Every goddamn thing.

Tailored lies to get in close with me. To pull me over to his side. To create a wedge between my brother and me. Between Chad and me.

Divide and conquer.

That seemed to be his plan.

Everything was a lie.

Everything.

FIFTY-SEVEN

Holden

“Eat,” Audrey says as she slides a plate of chicken salad onto my desk.

I look up at her and lift my eyebrows.

“She’s working remotely. Again. She can be reached via email if you need something for the company. The proposal will be completed on time. And Rupert Rothschild continues to improve steadily.” She dusts her hands. “That about covers all the questions you’re asking me daily. Do you need anything further?”

“No. Thank you.”

“Yep.” She moves to open the blinds on the far side of the wall. “Also, you look like shit.”

“Charming, as usual.” I clear my throat. “And the updates aren’t needed.”

She stops and levels me with a glare. “No?”

Rowan won’t come into work. But I know she’s working because I see the contracts come across. I’m cc’d on emails she sends other people.

Just not ones I send her.

She’s a goddamn ghost. Stubborn and defiant and literally emotionally fucking me up further with each and every goddamn day that passes.

“No. No updates are needed.”

“Noted,” she says curtly and stops when she reaches the door. “I’m not going to tell you I told you so. I’m not even going to go as far as saying I kind of like the Holden Knight she brought out in you, but I am going to say this. She deserves more than I think you can give her. More than you’re willing to. And for that, for her, I’m glad whatever happened, happened. Take it for whatever you fucking will.”

“I didn’t think you liked her,” I murmur.

She looks at me and smiles. “I don’t like anyone, except you, of course.”