Page 72 of Bitter Lies

Blah blah blah, and so on and so forth.

I get it. I know how stupid it is, but will that stop me? No.

I can’t explain why. I just feel it, deep in my soul. I’m not in danger and neither is my family.

A rhythmic vibration in my purse announces a text. I reach in and pull out my phone. Unlocking the screen, I read the message.

“Shit,” I say aloud as I frantically reply.

“What?” Aiden is now staring at my screen. “Oh. Can they do that?”

He’s reading the text Dr. Grieves sent.

GRIEVES:

Schedule change. You need to report in by 7. No exceptions.

ME:

There’s been a death in my family. I meant to call, but it’s been crazy. I’ll need the next week off to deal with arrangements.

“Yes,” I sigh as I watch the dots bounce.

NO. EXCEPTIONS. We’re short staffed. Unless you’re the one who died, you will report in or be dismissed.

“Fucker, that was uncalled for,” Aiden says what I’m thinking.

I check the hour. It’s a little after two now. That gives me five hours. Just enough time to visit my grandmother and hightail it back to Oxford, which is a two-hour drive on a good day. I’ll be pushing it, but even if I’m a few minutes late, if they truly are understaffed, then it should be fine.

Dr. Grieves has changed my schedule a few times without warning. Just because he can, and it’s not like that’s against the rules. As a member of the program, I’m low woman on the totem pole and at their beck and call. When they call, I must listen and show up, or risk being dismissed.

Leaning forward, I notify my guards of the change. “After checking on Grams, we need to head back to Oxford. Looks like I’m on tonight at seven. We’ll be cutting it close, but it is what it is.”

Marty nods. “We’ll need to leave no later than four. I’ll let the others know.”

“Thanks, Marty.” I bite my thumbnail, a nervous habit I can’t seem to break. “I need a favor, too.”

His eyes tell me he already knows what I’m about to ask. “Go on.”

“She likes you. I realize this isn’t protocol, but with everything going on.”

Before Marty can respond, Aiden places a hand on my back. “I’ll look after Alma.”

Looking back, I pause to consider how to refuse him gently. “That’s nice of you, but⁠—”

“I wasn’t asking.” He cuts me off, silencing my words with his own.

Turning my attention back to Marty. “So can you?”

Aiden talks over him. “I’m good enough to fuck, but not good enough to watch after your grandmother?”

As my mouth gapes open, I clear my throat. “You did not.”

“Oh, I did. Do you think they weren’t aware?” The man is unashamed. “The couple living above me knows, as do the two neighbors on each side of me. You weren’t exactly quiet when I was introducing you to my cock.”

Ryan grunts as his grip on the steering wheel tightens. “Fucker.”

“What was that?” Aiden goads him. “You see, I have to wonder why that bothers you so much. Do you have a thing for the princess?”