The Lies That We Tell

Chapter 2

Aubree has been pouting at a table in the corner for close to an hour now. I tried to console her after Liam sent Dev the tracking app so he can go after Rhyann. God, I hope she’s with her phone and he finds her safely. We haven’t heard from him in a while either. Fear blooms in my chest at the thought of losing both of them. My eyes wander to Liam talking to Detective Myers, who is wrapping up his interview with the last guest.

Most of the people here tonight were understanding and willing to work with the detectives. A few here and there seemed to be offended at the very idea of having to be questioned in the supposed kidnapping of the heiress to Devereux Publications.

Then there was Aubree. My spoiled rotten fiancee who refused to answer any questions on the basis that we weren’t even here when it happened. Which, if I were the detectives, would make us the number one suspects at this point.

“Mister Crawford, you and Miss Miller are free to go. Thank you for verifying both of your alibis this evening,” Detective Myers says, approaching me and my father where we’ve both been sitting quietly on the stage at the front of the dance floor.

“Sorry about her, uh, moodiness tonight,” I offer the detectives.

Detective Myers smiles. “You’ve got your hands full with that one, Mister Crawford. I wish you all the luck in the world with your impending marriage.”

Something about the way he says “impending marriage” sounds ominous. “Thanks,” I say curtly and hop off the stage with a nod to my father.

“Hey man.” Liam catches up to me as I make my way to Aubree’s table. “I haven’t heard from Dev since he left after Rhaynn.”

“I figured as much,” I say. “Let me take her home, and then I’ll meet you at our place?”

“Sounds good. See you there.” Liam pats me on the shoulder. “Be careful man.”

“You too.” I nod and watch my best friend leave.

I look down at my fiancee, her arms crossed over her chest, her blonde curls cascading around her small face. “Let’s go.” I offer her my hand.

“You can’t leave me alone tonight,” she whines, taking my hand and standing. “Take me home with you.”

“No,” I say, leading her to the door.

“But why not?” she continues with the whining. Aubree tugs at my hand as I pick up the pace. The sooner we get to the car, the sooner I can get her home, and then the sooner Liam and I can go after Devon.

“Because tonight is not a good night,” I snap. My tone is harsher than I intended, but her spoiled act is starting to grate on my nerves.

“Why? Because your precious little Rhyann is missing?” Aubree says as she stops walking.

I turn to face her, reminding myself that I’ve never laid an unwanted hand on a woman, and I wasn’t going to start with her. “Actually, yes.”

“Why does she ruin everything? Don’t you love me?”

I don’t hide the automatic eyeroll her complaining induces. “Of course I do. That’s why I’m taking you home.” My tone softens a bit. “Where you’ll stay safely, with your parents. Do you understand me?”

“No, I don’t. You’re my fiance, your place is with me, not looking for her.” She continues to pout.

I’m close to losing my patience with her. I close my eyes and take a deep breath in. “Aubree, please, for once in your life think about someone other than yourself.”

“Are you calling me selfish?” Tears pool at her lashes.

I sigh, my hand reaching up to caress her cheek. “Of course not, baby. But I don’t want to worry about you too tonight.”

“Then stay with me.”

“I can’t. My best friend is out there, likely doing something dangerous and stupid, and I have to go find him,” I explain the best I can without telling her that I know where to find him.

“Well,” she sniffles as her tears slowly fall down her cheeks. “What about me, worrying about you?”

I laugh and kiss her temple. “Don’t worry, I’ll be safe. If you do as I ask, I promise to take you to brunch in the morning, okay?”

“Fine,” she pouts, wiping a streak of tears from her cheeks.

I get Aubree home and walk through the door of the apartment I share with Liam and Devon. The last time I saw Rhyann was this morning, here. God, I hope she’s okay. Liam isn’t in the living room or the kitchen, but I can hear noises coming from his and Devon’s side of the apartment.

“Yo, Liam!” I yell. “I’m back.” He doesn’t respond so I make my way down the hall where the sounds are coming from. “What the—”

It isn’t Liam I find in his room. Immediately, I recognize the figure going through Liam”s belongings. It’s the guy from the other night. The one Rhyann called Swamp Ass, the same guy who tried stuffing her in a trunk.

“Fuck,” he growls, looking up when he realizes he’s been caught in the act.

I’m barely able to get a look at his features before everything happens. The man drops the nightstand drawer he was rummaging through and hops over the bed, right for me. He’s fast for a short, overweight man. His body slams into mine and something sharp pierces my side, sending hot searing pain through my body. He shoves his blade deeper, pushing his way past me and out of the bedroom.

My shoulder hits the door frame, sending a shockwave of pain throughout my muscles. My chest heaves as I clutch the side of my abdomen, where the knife is still embedded into me; I know better than to pull it out. I plan to keep my promise of brunch to Aubree. For that, I need to not bleed to death.

I’m slower than I’d like, slower than that fat, smelly fucker, and by the time I make it to the living room he’s out the door, leaving it wide open.

“Fuck,” I moan as I pull my phone from my breast pocket and dial Liam.

“Hey man, someone slashed all the fucking tires of the cars at Rhy’s. Dev took the car when he left. So, your dad’s bringing me home,” Liam explains when he picks up the call.

“He was here,” I breathe, each word sending a jolt of pain through my body.

“Dev?” Liam asks.

“No, the Swamp Ass from the other night.” I cough. “He stabbed me, good.”

“Fuck, we’re almost there. Your dad’s calling 9-1-1 now man.”

He keeps talking, but I don’t hear him over the ringing in my ears.