Tangled Lies (Once Upon a Sin #1)

1. Margaux

MARGAUX

I smiled at the mirror to hide the rage. Practice makes perfect.

The grin that reflected back at me wasn’t me, not really. I practiced the look of innocence and obedience while on the inside I screamed.

Locked away in my room in the penthouse where my uncle kept me hidden away, my only chance at freedom was to follow his rules.

I grabbed up the crochet hook and wrapped the yarn around my fingers pretending that I was making a noose.

Every single stitch added to my chain. I smiled to myself thinking it looked exactly like a rope. Stab it. Wrap it. Pull it. I pulled the yarn tighter and tighter and tighter until my pinky burned from the circulation being cut off.

Wouldn’t it be a beautiful sight to let someone find my uncle hanging from something I had made? Would the yarn be strong enough?

I pushed the crochet onto the vanity. I reached for the mirror, studying my constant companion.

I traced her features. The reflection of a perfect little princess room surrounding her.

It was an illusion for a little girl locked away in a tower and it set the perfect backdrop to the smile I no longer recognized as my own.

Every moment I sat here locked away, a prisoner to a man that claimed he knew what was best for me, killing another little part of the girl that might have once been. Once upon a time I had been someone else.

I glanced as my phone vibrated, begging for attention. I looked at the one of three numbers that could be calling me, and this time the smile on my face wasn’t forced. I tapped the green phone icon.

“Hey, Reina.”

I picked at the crochet still sitting on my vanity. One more skill a proper lady could have, but I doubted crocheted skulls were what dear uncle had in mind.

“Hey. There’s a private game tonight. I grabbed some stuff. You still want in, right? My car’s out front.”

I peeked at the time. Eight.

“Sure. Did they mention how much we’d get paid?”

I stood up. The small little stool in front of the vanity covered in gross pink frills pissed me off about as much as the knee-length skirt, perfect button-down blouse, and matching blazer did.

The worst part of growing up was becoming smart enough to realize those around you weren’t always there to protect you.

“Yeah. It’s a thousand just to sign the NDA. After that, tips, and if it goes over three hours, there’s a few thousand more,” Reina said.

I glanced back at the mirror, looking at the reflection of a woman I didn’t like. If only my uncle knew what lengths I would go to to get away from him.

“Okay. I’ll be down as soon as I can.”

I grabbed a small overnight bag, tossing in a long nightgown made for a nun, and then grabbed some toiletries to sell this shit. The door was silent as I pulled it open, but that didn’t mean shit in this penthouse.

I stepped out into the hallway, numb. The innocent smile I practiced was plastered on my face along with the blank stare. I headed toward the door, walking slowly, waiting.

He cleared his throat behind me.

“Where are you going this late at night?”

I blew out a breath I doubted he could see and turned around.

“Uncle. You’re back already?”

I swallowed the anger and slipped into my role. The dutiful goddaughter. I dropped my bag and squealed like a little girl instead of a woman in her early twenties. I ran two steps, my bare feet slapping along the tile of the hallway, and reached up to hug him the way he expected me to.

“Of course, Margaux, did Miss Schmidt, not mention I was coming back early?”

I smiled at him as he put me down.

“Oh, gee. I don’t remember. She’s been so busy today with laundry and cooking that perhaps it slipped her mind.”

It hadn’t. I just didn’t give a flying fuck.

He patted my head like I was ten again.

“Hmm. Of course. So many things to prepare for. Your engagement party is a few weeks away.”

I prayed the shiver of disgust didn’t show and that I’d kept the subtitles off my face. Vapid, fake, darling, obedient girl was all my face needed to say.

“Of course, Uncle.”

I didn’t miss the way he looked past me.

“Where are you going?”

I glanced over my shoulder. I knew I wouldn’t get out of here before he got back. That would have been fate being on my side and thus far? She’d abandoned me years ago.

“Reina’s, she invited me to sleep over at her house. I only have so many more months as a single girl, Uncle.”

His expression didn’t change much, which had to be a good sign.

“Of course. Reina. Her driver is downstairs, or shall I call one?”

I smiled and looked up at him through my lashes.

“Yes, her driver is waiting for me. We plan to stop and get some ice cream on the way back to her place.”

He reached for his wallet and pulled out a hundred dollars. Not enough for me to run away, but enough to show that he took care of me and let me do things that a normal daughter should have. It was more money to go in my get-out-of-Vegas-free fund.

“Please, treat her and make sure her father knows. I really need his cooperation in the coming senate race.”

Treat her my ass. Her father was an asshole, and he didn’t care much about his daughter.

Reina had been the one silver lining since my parent’s death.

The one person I’d met through my uncle’s connections.

The friend that would help sneak alcohol to make every horrid networking event and party bearable.

She was the only friend I’d been allowed to keep, and I suppose it was because she was just as desperate to remain out of sight, out of mind, and out of the news. The one person who knew my secrets.

“Of course, Uncle. She always brags to her father about how well you treat us.”

He nodded and turned back toward his office, stopping like I expected. He glanced over his shoulder, feigning like he didn’t control my entire life.

“You will be back before ten tomorrow. We have a luncheon with the Thornes. I’ve ordered you a new outfit, it will be delivered in the morning.”

I nodded. “Yes, of course.”

I waited for him to finish his way to his office and for the door to click shut. Only then did I turn back to my bag. I put on the shoes I’d worn earlier, Mary Janes that just added to this whole look of chaste princess.

If only he wouldn’t have forced this marriage, I might have stayed a little longer.

I checked the ribbon, making sure the mask was secure. Tonight I could be anyone, anyone but the poor little orphan locked away by her uncle.

Reina knocked, the echo of the sound breaking the casino’s penthouse floor’s silence.

“How did you find out about this private game?” I asked as we waited.

She smiled at me and adjusted the top of her sequined dress.

Living in the city of sin you would think this kind of thing was normal, and for some it was. For me? If I wasn’t careful, I’d end up locked away until my wedding night.

“Well, I contacted the guy that has the hookups for all these things when I knew Daddy would be out of town.” She wrapped her arm around me.

“See, Mar, while you’re on lock down, I spend my time networking. I know you need money, and I just love being around all these men. Who knows, maybe we’ll find our future first husbands.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

“First? How many are you planning to have?” I asked.

She shrugged.

“Mother said the first one is for money and the second or third can be for love. So that many, I guess. Too bad I really don’t need money.” Reina shut up when the door opened.

She lifted her phone, showing the guy something. He nodded and moved aside.

“Head to the bar. No names. Serve the players. Rules are simple. Sign the paper you’re handed. Nothing leaves here,” the door guy said.

I followed close behind Reina. I couldn’t ignore the hope running alongside the apprehension.

Money I’d seen before. Casino poker games? Sure. But this was the first time I’d come with Reina to one of these poker games. Reina took me out when we could, but the fear of getting caught always ended our nights earlier than either of us wanted.

But this? No fear of getting caught here.

“So this is where the really rich people gamble, then?”

This was a penthouse in a casino I knew by name but had never stepped foot in, and thanks to Reina’s detective skills, I knew this particular hotel was owned by the Barone family. I just had no idea what that actually meant.

The heels I wore might have already started to hurt my feet, but this was the price of my freedom.

If only Uncle Grayson could see me now, he’d probably have a heart attack, and that was enough dopamine to make me ignore any pain.

I smirked as we entered a large room with tables set in the center.

There were several men already talking, but they stopped as we walked in.

I liked the way their eyes raked over my body. I liked that I was something they couldn’t have and yet wanted. Something I could control. I liked being seen more than anything and that was just sad. Uncle wanted to hide me until he wanted to use me.

I stood a little taller. I could take my uncle's power away when it came to my body if I wanted to.

I could tame these men and entice them. Uncle used me enough to get in the good graces of people, men he needed, my uncle had no idea that all those skills would be what would get me out of his control, as long as I could keep up this new game.

I scanned the men in the center of the room lounging on chairs. None of them looked powerful enough to rival my uncle, but looks could be deceiving. They all had expensive looking suits on.

“Look at the watches. Which one costs the most?” I asked Reina.

I wondered if any of them would be a better marriage option than the arrangement I wasn’t given any say in.

I looked down as Reina grabbed my wrist.

“I’ll let you know when I figure it out. Come on, we have to get to serving drinks.”

We followed another guy leading us further in the penthouse and into a high-end bar set away from the game and the main living area that was now a poker lounge.

“Ladies, in here. You serve the drinks, get the cigars, flirt, and most importantly make sure you defuse any tempers. There’s nothing a pussy can’t achieve.”

He pointed to papers on the bar. I grabbed a pen and signed. He walked away just as quickly as he’d grabbed the signed NDA’s from our hands.

I glanced at Reina fighting excitement and nerves. I tasted blood and stopped biting the inside of my cheek.

“What exactly are we expected to do again?”

Reina rolled her eyes.

“It will be fine. This game’s a little bigger than the last few I’ve done, but honestly just flirt and serve drinks. They get drunk and their bodyguards take them away. Easy peasy.”

I got closer to her and just nodded.

“Is this through the same guy you use typically? You know, since you said it’s bigger?”

She grabbed my bag and put it next to hers under the counter.

“Yeah, why? I mean, it was a little odd. My guy actually reached out to me and asked about you. He said I had to bring you with me this time. I remember I mentioned you once when you said you needed money, but he seemed to know more than I recall telling him. Whatever. Sometimes I get a little tipsy at these things. And a lot of times these guys are a little scary.”

I pulled down the dress that barely could be said to hit me mid-thigh. My legs looked forever long with the heels. I could be someone else tonight. I could be someone who lived for themselves. Free.

“No one, even him, knows my real name, right?”

She shook her head and poured us each a shot; the bartender smiled as he held up his own shot glass.

“Nope. Bottoms up.”

I blew out a breath against the burn of the alcohol.

“Great. Let’s hope for more parties like this. The engagement party is only weeks away. I’d like to be long gone before that.”

More men walked in. Tonight I was no longer Margaux Harrington, I was just Mara.

Reina didn’t get a chance to respond before because more men were strolling into the penthouse.

“Ready ladies?”

I glanced over my shoulder at the bartender.

“Yeah.”

He winked at me behind his mask. “Start with that table. What are we calling you tonight?”

I picked up the glasses and practiced being the alternate me.

“Mara. Call me, Mara.”

He jerked his head toward Reina.

“And you, what was it? Ray? Right. Just call me T.”

He started lining up glasses, pouring from a crystal bottle.

“Table one, the one closest to the windows. That’s their first round. These four here? Table two.”

I nodded and watched where the men sat as they entered.

The first to arrive paid little attention to the help. One man brought what I assumed was a mistress. Wives were meant to be classy and something to show off; that was what I was groomed for. Something to support status. This woman? Well, she made a few-thousand-dollar dress look cheap.

A few more men walked in, another mistress, and Reina shifted around me, but I stopped paying attention and delivered the first two drinks.

As I walked back though, a man cleared his throat, and I couldn't help but look back to the hallway where it came from. I don’t know why, but I held my breath for a brief moment as our eyes met.

I noticed he wore a leather jacket instead of a suit.

In fact, his entourage all dressed in various black attire, but no suits and the way they filled out their shirts?

I wiped at my mouth in case there was some drool because I’d never seen men quite like this.

Not in the circles my uncle approved of and not in the circles that my bestie and I sometimes were able to sneak out into.

These guys owned whatever space they were in and I suddenly understood what Reina meant by scary.

I watched the one in the front. What was the point of being here if I couldn’t enjoy the view? From his shoes, across those ripped jeans that had to cost hundreds, up to a black button-down shirt and that leather jacket. Who in the hell was he?

I traced over the skin on his neck, imaging what it would be like to run my tongue over it.

I swallowed. I quickly looked away when I realized he was still watching me, and my heart stopped.

He wore a basic white mask down over his eyes to his nose, but his mouth was easy to see.

The way his lips spread into the slowest smirk I’d ever seen a man do.

Something inside burned, awakening a feeling I’d never known.

I couldn’t look away, except when the guy behind pushed forward, I was forced to look at the intruder.

Same mask. But his eyes were so cold and he never once cracked a smile, just paused before continuing on his mission down the two stairs to where the tables were all set up.

I liked this game. Beautiful men. Two more with the same simple mask followed behind and all seemed interested in the fact that I was here, but I assumed that had more to do with drinks and the dress.

Or was it something else?

Hello to all my bad decisions.