Page 77 of Twisted Lies

“It is a big deal. You made it another year without anyone managing to kill you. Pretty impressive.” She grins as her finger swipes down the middle of the icing and licks it off.

“I could think of a better use of your lips. Plus, as you said, it is my birthday,” I say, wiggling my eyebrow and pulling her on top of me, managing to move the cupcake to the side.

“If we start that, we’ll never get out of the room. Claire and Alex are downstairs, along with most of your men, to celebrate.”

“She didn’t,” I moan.

“No,” she says, rolling away. “I did. Now come on.” She grabs my hand, trying to pull me up in a futile attempt.

“Fine. You win. I’ll get up.” As I stand, my phone rings, and I pick up the call from Andre. “Hello?” Lily rolls her eyes and waves toward the dresser. I hold up my finger, needing to know what he’s calling about this early. “Elijah. I have her. I have Rebecca.”

“Where?” I rush out, standing and grabbing clothes from a drawer. Lily looks at me with questions.

“I’ll text you the address. She’s not happy, to say the least.”

“I’m on my way. Keep here there no matter what,” I order. The last thing I need is for Andre’s feelings for my sister to come in the way at the last minute. Once I hang up, I start for the door, but Lily steps in front of me, blocking my path.

“Who was that?”

“Something I have to deal with. I’ll be back soon. Have a few drinks for me.”

“You’re lying,” she states. “Tell me the truth.”

“Andre found Rebecca. I’m going to meet them.”

“And Claire?” she asks, already knowing the answer.

“She can’t know. At least not yet. I need to know the truth, and Claire won’t be any use to me right now. Her feelings will get in the way.”

“And your feelings won’t?” she asks, moving her hands against my chest.

“Of course. She’s my sister. But I won’t let anything happen to you or Claire. I need to know what she has planned. If it comes down to it, I will do what I have to do to protect my family.”

“She’s your family.”

“Yes, but we all make choices. She made a choice when she came after us. Leaving Claire out of this, for now, is the best choice. Tell me you understand?”

Slowly she nods. “I do. I don’t agree, but I understand.”

“I’ll be back soon. Cover for me.” She thankfully nods, and we go downstairs to find the others. I laugh, looking around the room with a bunch of mobsters wearing party hats. Claire must have threatened or paid them off.

“Happy birthday, E.” Claire happily says, wrapping her arms around me in a hug.

“Thank you. I need to run out, but I’ll be right back.”

She quickly pulls away, looking suspicious. “Why?”

“I need to take care of something. I’ll be right back. I’ll grab more booze as well. We can party till the morning.” The men all cheer, but Claire still appears unconvinced. “I promise, Claire, everything is fine.”

“Fine, go. We’ll start the party without you. If you don’t hurry back, we’ll cut the cake.” Kissing her cheek, I nod at Lily and Alex and leave just as my phone dings with the address. This ends today, one way or another.

* * *

Pulling into one of Andre’s many safe houses, I laugh at how normal the neighborhood is. It’s suburban heaven with painted shutters and flowerpots on the front porch. It’s a place where the neighbors keep their doors unlocked. Not the type of place I would have expected to have to contemplate killing my sister.

Entering the house, I note there’s hardly any furniture. I’m not surprised. Andre has several safe houses, and I’m sure very few have anything on the inside but a bag of clothes and money. After today this place will be on the market.

Andre steps out behind a corner. “Elijah.”

“Where is she?”

“This way.” Andre leads me to the far room, where Rebecca is tied to a chair, looking like a cat that had just gotten water thrown on it. Her eyes flash as she looks at me.

“Hello, little sister,” I say, stepping forward, setting the future for the both of us with that simple act.