Beneath These Lies (22 page)

Rix leaned in close, his breath brushing my ear. “You make me want to turn that ass of yours red, duchess.”

A shiver worked down my spine as he pulled away, pressed a hard kiss to my lips, and released me.

Turning, he nodded toward his guys who were packing up their tools. “Let’s go.”

T
HE DOORBELL RINGING THREW ME
off completely. I’d been expecting Rix to magically show up—despite my active alarm—and find me in my studio where I was covered in more paint than I probably should be. But I’d thrown myself into my work so I could try to stop worrying about whatever might be happening with Rix and Trinity. It wasn’t working.

It wouldn’t be my parents. They’d called to invite me to stay in their guest room, and when I’d declined, my father had tried to tell me I needed a bodyguard. That hadn’t gone far, and not only because I couldn’t have a bodyguard because said bodyguard would find out about Rix. And then there was the fact that I didn’t need a bodyguard because I had Rix.

So, who in the world was ringing my doorbell—I glanced at the clock on the wall—after ten o’clock at night? I cleaned my brush, killing time and hoping whoever it was would give up and go away. But they didn’t. The doorbell rang again.

I need to get that gate latch fixed. And maybe electrify it. Would that be bad?
With my luck, I’d zap some Girl Scout selling cookies, and she’d have curly hair for the rest of her life.

With that random train of thought winding through my head, I paused at the kitchen counter where I’d laid my purse to pull my gun out and stuff it in the back waistband of my yoga pants. After the events of today, I wasn’t taking a chance with my safety. I knew all too well what could happen if I wasn’t careful.

Not thinking about that. I’ve moved on.

And I had. The last week held the longest stretches I’d gone without thinking about that night. I took that as a huge win.

The doorbell rang again and a strong, steady knock followed.

I peeked through the sidelight.
Crap. Rhett
.

He’d had way too many questions in his eyes when he’d stood in the gallery earlier today. He knew that Trinity had been missing, and then I’d dodged answering when he’d asked if I’d found her. Tack on a picture of her wrapped around a brick, and anyone would be suspicious.

I unlocked the dead bolt and pulled open the door.

“A little late to be stopping by to invite me for coffee,” I said, shooting for breezy and carefree.

He didn’t smile. His gaze dropped to the paint on my hands and clothes—and probably on my face.

“How many of the paintings in your gallery are your work?”

Of all the secrets I had, that one used to be my most closely guarded. Oh, how my life had changed recently.

“None.”

“But there was. The anonymous artist. That was you.”

It didn’t seem worth the effort to lie about that anymore. “Yes, but no one knows.”

“Why were you so surprised to see it there? Hell, you were straight shocked.”

Dammit, his perceptiveness was really starting to become a pain in my rear.

“Because I didn’t know it was there. Someone decided to push me into showing a piece to prove a point.”

“Who?” His gaze narrowed.

“Does it matter?” I countered. “Because that can’t be why you’re here.”

“Are you going to invite me in?”

I glanced out the front door to see his Jeep parked on the opposite side of the street. Would Rix notice? Or would he sneak in unaware?

My heart thumped in my chest at the thought of Rhett and Rix coming face-to-face in my house. In my head, Desi Arnaz’s voice said
Lucy, you got some ’splaining to do.
I really didn’t want to do any ’splaining tonight, but what choice did I have?

“It’s pretty late, Rhett.”

“I’ll make it quick.” His expression stayed blank. This was not a social call, or at least not a lighthearted one.

I opened the door wider and stepped back. “Then come on in.”

I made espresso, in part to keep my hands busy, and partly because I wasn’t planning on falling asleep before Rix showed up. Rhett didn’t start talking until I turned around with two espresso cups in hand.

I set one on the counter where he leaned, opting not to take a seat on a bar stool.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re here, or are you going to make me guess?” At this point, I decided playing dumb was probably my best bet.

“I’m pretty sure you know why.”

“Stop being a cop for thirty seconds and cut the crap, Rhett.”

That finally got a hint of a smile out of him. “I like the fire when you stop keeping it banked.”

I said nothing and sipped my espresso. I was still gathering the words to let him down easy when Rhett tipped his double shot back and downed it in a single gulp. His smile faded and he cut right to the point.

“Where’s Trinity?”

Lie or don’t lie.
What the hell do I do?

The back stairs that led into the kitchen creaked, and I froze.

Oh. Fuck.
I didn’t use the F-word very often, even in my head, but using it right now made a hell of a lot of sense.

I didn’t turn to look. Maybe Rix would see Rhett and duck back up the stairs. And how the hell did he get upstairs? He had to have used the front stairs in the foyer.

Rhett’s eyes went wide with shock.

Oh shit. Oh fuck
. I bit my lip, which was a good move considering the voice I heard next.

“I’m right here.”

I spun around, shock and relief coursing through me. My eyes searched every inch of Trinity for evidence of injury or mistreatment. Sweeter relief followed when my inspection revealed a well-rested, well-fed, unmarked girl. She’d never looked more lovely to my eyes. Her hair wasn’t in its usual intricate style, but it looked like she’d recently showered.

My gaze darted to the stairs for a moment. Rix had to be up there. He’d gotten my girl back, and I couldn’t wait to deliver on what I owed him, even though technically I already had. Mostly, I just wanted to throw myself at him and climb him like a tree.

My chaotic thoughts and emotions ran together as Trinity came toward me and stopped beside me, leaning slightly against my side. I wrapped an arm around her and hugged her tight.

“As you can see, we’re having a bit of a slumber party tonight.”

Rhett’s eyes were every bit as assessing as mine had been on Trinity. “You just happened to be upstairs?” Skepticism edged his words like blades.

She nodded. “It’s almost time for me to go to bed, so yeah.” A ring of attitude came through loud and clear. She was still my feisty little trooper. And thank God for that.

“Where’ve you been the past few days?” Rhett asked. “I stopped by to talk to your grandmother today, and she’s been worried about you. She said she hasn’t seen you in over a week.”

Trinity stiffened, and I thought for sure the gig was up. We were screwed.

I opened my mouth to interject something, anything, but Trinity beat me to it. “I was staying with my boyfriend. Gran just didn’t want to admit it to you because she doesn’t approve of
pre-marital relations
. But I’m eighteen and I’m not committing a crime.”

Rhett’s gaze sharpened on both of us. “So, why aren’t you with your boyfriend tonight?”

Trinity trembled beside me. “We got into a fight today and we broke up. When I asked Valentina if I could crash here, she said yes. I’ll go home to Gran soon, but I’m not ready yet. She’s just going to tell me she told me so, and then I’ll get a lecture about
why would he buy the cow when he’s getting the milk for free
. I couldn’t handle it tonight.”

Rhett nodded, and I wondered if he was buying it. If I couldn’t feel Trinity’s shivering against me, I might have bought the whole story too.

“I’m glad you’re all right then. You should definitely keep the people around you informed of your whereabouts. They worry. Especially your boss.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m all good,” Trinity replied.

Rhett looked to me. “So, how does that explain the brick?”

Again, Trinity came to the rescue. “It’s my fault. I told my boyfriend I was breaking up with him to spend more time on my art, and that was how he decided to show me how he felt about it. Dick.” She looked to me. “You’re right to avoid men. They’re all assholes.”

Trinity’s comment showed just how out of the loop she’d been since she’d been gone. I hoped Hennessy would assume that I didn’t share my personal life with her.

He laughed. “Yeah, we are dicks, but some of us are worth it.” He turned to me, and all I could see was the mocking skepticism in his eyes. “Valentina, I’ll see you soon. I can show myself out then. I’m sorry for disturbing you so late, ladies. Thanks for the coffee.”

I followed Rhett as he strode toward the door, my gaze darting up the front stairs. Was Rix up there watching and waiting?

Rhett paused, hand on the doorknob, and looked at me. “I know there’s more going on here than you’re ever going to admit, which means you don’t trust me. I hope to fuck you know what you’re doing, and you know who you’re trusting. Just . . . be careful.”

For some eerie reason, I had the distinct impression that Rhett didn’t need any late-night confessions from me because he already knew everything. But that couldn’t be right. And did I really know Rix? Maybe not, but I knew I could trust him with the life of someone I loved. And I really needed to hug the crap out of Trinity, so Rhett needed to get a move on right now.

“There’s nothing to worry about other than the jerk boyfriend of Trinity’s who tossed a brick through my window—”

Rhett interrupted me. “Save it, Valentina. You don’t need to keep lying to me. But I’m willing to listen if and when you change your mind.” He glanced over my shoulder to where Trinity stood. “My door is open to either of you. Anytime.”

With that, he stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind him. I threw the dead bolt and spun, running to Trinity. She met me in the middle of the foyer and threw her arms around me. Tears soaked the shoulder of my shirt.

“I’m so sorry. So sorry,” she said as she sobbed.

I smoothed her hair and squeezed her tight. “Oh, baby. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. None of this is your fault.”

Her words were broken by shaking breaths. “I dragged you into all of this. I’m so sorry.”

“Shhh. It’s okay. Everything’s okay now that you’re safe. That’s all that matters, honey. It’s okay.”

The stairway creaked again, and this time it was Rix coming down. He stopped a few feet from where Trinity and I were hugging it out.

“You take care of your girl. I’ll be back later. Got some more shit to do.”

Tears welling in my own eyes, I nodded, even though I wanted to argue with him and demand the entire story. Trinity’s head lifted from my shoulder at the sound of his voice. She turned toward him in my arms, her voice a little shaky.

“Thank you. For everything. I’m sorry about . . . everything too.”

I didn’t know what she was apologizing to Rix for, but I’d get the details from her soon enough.

“You thank me by doing what I asked of you. Got that?”

Her nod was quick and short.

“Good. Be back soon as I can, duchess.”

He turned for the portico, and that’s when I noticed the dark stain on the side of his dark gray T-shirt.

What the hell?

My eyes followed Rix as he walked toward the door. His movements were a fraction slower and more careful than normal.

“Wait, Rix. Are you okay?”

My eyes flicked to Trinity, who stared directly at the floor.

Clearly, I missed something big
.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back when I can.”

I started toward him, not willing to accept that non-explanation. He reached out to fend me off, but I was quicker. Yanking up his T-shirt, I saw a large gauze pad taped over his side, and my stomach twisted. My gaze cut to his flashing silver one.

“What the hell happened tonight?”

“You can wait to hear it until I’m back.”

“But you’re hurt!”

“Ain’t the first time and won’t be the last. Settle down, duchess. Your man ain’t exactly fragile.”