The Lie That Traps (Lies and Truths Book 1)

20. Gulliver

GULLIVER

Islap my palm against her car window, but she ignores me and the car continues to roll forward, the wheels spinning slightly on the gravel before gaining traction and driving away. “Izzy!” I pointlessly shout as the car disappears from view.

Angrily ripping my cell from my pocket, I dial the number Fitzy texted me earlier, lifting my cell to my ear and listening to it ring out before I’m sent to an automated voicemail. Disconnecting the call, I immediately call her back, growling in annoyance as I’m sent to voicemail again. I call a third time, but it doesn’t even ring before the stupid robotic voice prompts me to leave a message.

“Fuck,” I hiss, exhaling loudly as I stomp back into the house, pushing past Beth, who is still holding the door, her eyes wide with shock. “She’s fucking gone,” I growl, dropping back into my seat on the terrace. I’m angry. No, I’m more than angry. This morning started so well, she was laughing, giggling, and smiling, she felt like one of us. But then she was talking about her fucking family again, and I lost it.

“I need a real drink,” I growl, standing and marching to the bar. I pour myself a healthy measure of bourbon into a glass and immediately down half of the contents, relishing the way the liquor burns as I swallow.

Returning to my seat, I find all three of my friends watching me: Davis and Thorn’s expressions are pensive, while Kip’s is angry.

“You’re taking this too far,” Kip warns.

“This has nothing to do with you,” I snap.

“This was funny when we thought Izabella was like the rest of her family, but she isn’t, and she doesn’t deserve you being an asshole and blackmailing her. You threatened to go to the press, for fuck’s sake,” he snarls, his expression more serious than I think I’ve ever seen him.

“You don’t even know her, she’s an actress, all of this could be a fucking show she’s putting on. At the end of the day, she’s still a Rhodes. All she has to do is pretend for a few months, she’ll be fine,” I say dismissively, gulping more liquor to wash away the taste of the lie from my lips.

“She was crying real fucking tears, Gulliver, that wasn’t an act. Izzy is innocent in all of this, and her family is a fucking nightmare. You saw the way they were with her last night, and you don’t give a fuck that you’re messing with her life. You starting all of this fake proposal stuff to fuck with them is one thing, but you’ve sent Izzy to deal with the fallout. I don’t know, dude, this isn’t a joke anymore.”

“You were there when I offered to go with her,” I say, defending myself even though guilt is festering inside of me, making my stomach twist with concern for the beautiful fucking Rhodes twin.

He laughs. “Why the fuck would she want you to go with her? Every time you’ve been near her since you dragged her out of the car yesterday morning, you’ve just piled more and more shit at her feet.”

“Why are you defending her? Are you hoping to try your luck with her? You looking to land yourself a Rhodes? Do you want to be her knight in shining fucking armor? Because newsflash, Kip, she’s mine, and she’ll stay mine for as long as I need her to!” I shout, draining the last of the bourbon from my glass.

Kip shakes his head at me, disgust pouring from him. “You’re an asshole,” he spits, getting up from his seat and walking away without a backward glance.