Page 73 of All Your Lies

“It serves as a reminder to those who cross me, blood or not,” Gage says with a hard edge. The warning’s clear in his words. He doesn’t give a fuck who you are. He will take you down if need be.

They say goodbye to Gage and take their leave without even acknowledging my presence. They are one of many who aren’t happy about me taking my dad’s position. The thought leaves me with a mix of anxiety and irritation.

“I’m not looking forward to working with their sons.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” Gage says with a confidence I wished I possessed.

I bump my shoulder against his with a small grin. “Do you remember giving Tony a black eye for trying to cut my hair?”

His eyes light up. “How can I forget? He was shocked as hell when I tackled him. They always thought I was a pushover because I was quiet. It was nice to finally reveal a piece of my true self.”

“Is this your true self?” I ask as I gesture at him.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re dark, demanding, and kind of crazy.”

He grins but ignores my assessment of him.

“You’ll get the respect you deserve. I won’t tolerate anything less.”

I wish I shared his optimism.

“What if I can’t... do it?” I whisper. “The hard stuff.”

Gage’s eyes soften as he looks at me. His eyes drift to my hand in my lap, and he puts his hand on top of mine before lacing our fingers together and gazing back up at me. It’s strange. I’ve never been overly fond of touch. I’m more of an acts of service type, but I can’t deny the way his touch has always comforted me in the way my body needs.

“We are one, Lex. I’m your safe place, and you are mine. We strengthen each other, and together, there is nothing we can’t do.”

With each word he speaks, and the conviction in his eyes, my doubts fade away, and my heart races in response.

He squeezes my hand, his touch firm and reassuring, before gently pressing his forehead against mine. The moment our skin touches, the clatter of plates and murmur of conversations in the restaurant fades into blissful silence. All that remains is Gage’s warm skin, his intense eyes, and our lips a whisper length apart.

I’m torn, as I always am with him. If I initiate this, if I lean in and touch his lips to mine, there’s no going back. This will be me forgiving and forgetting.

Gage’s phone rings, and we both break apart.

“Fuck,” Gage mutters as he answers his phone.

His face twists from a slight frown of irritation into a mask of furious rage in mere seconds.

“I’m on my way.” He gazes at me with regret. “We have to go.”

“Why?”

“Problem at the club.”

“Me getting interrupted at a restaurant is becoming a regular thing. I don’t like it,” I say as he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the booth. “Don’t we need to tell them or pay? I’m sure they made some of the food.”

“They’ll put it on my tab,” he says as we make our way to the entrance.

“So you have a habit of bringing dates here?” I say with displeasure in my tone and my heart heavy at the thought. I try for sarcastic and pissy, but I’m sure the jealousy clearly shows.

“We own the restaurant, and I’ve never been on a date besides with you. But I love how jealous you are at the thought of another girl with me. Careful, Lex. You’re starting to show you really care.” He closes my car door with a smirk.

twenty-three

Gage