Page 111 of Beautiful Lies

Something brushes my shoulder. It’s light at first. A soft nudge follows. Then a gentle shake.

“Isla?” a voice whispers at the edge of my dream.

I groan, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

Another shake.

“Isla, sweetheart… you need to wake up.”

My eyes open slowly, blurry and reluctant as my mind tries to hold on to memories of him.

Sheila’s face comes into focus standing over me, watching me carefully.

“Sheila?” My voice comes out rough with sleep.

She smiles, then glances around the room like she’s stumbled onto a crime scene she’s not sure she should be witnessing. Her eyes flick from my face to the tangle of sheets, and the expression that crosses her features is equal parts awe and concern.

Then I remember I’m naked beneath the sheets.

Mortification clamps down on me, and I yank the covers higher over my chest like a prim woman clutching her pearls.

God. Kill me now.

I sit up, trying to look composed even though my pulse is in my throat.

Sheila softens with a kind smile. The kind that saysI was young once, too.“Good morning, Mrs. Vale.” It’s the first time she’s called me that.

Heat floods my cheeks. “Good morning. What time is it?” It looks far too bright outside for early morning. Knox and I were supposed to leave for Italy first thing.

Sheila bites the inside of her lip. “It’s noon.”

“Oh my God. I overslept.”

“Don’t panic, it’s fine.” She smooths a hand down her blazer. “There’s been a slight change to the schedule. Knox left you to rest, but he asked me to get you ready for your flight before lunch. The jet will leave whenever you wish, though it’s best to get going sooner rather than later.”

I blink several times, trying to catch up. I understand the part about the jet, and sure, it’s nice having a plane take off on my word, but that wasn’t the plan.“Where is Knox?”

She hesitates, just for a breath, but it’s enough to send unease creeping up my spine.

“He was called into the office early this morning. An urgent situation came up with his Zurich deal.” Her gaze softens. “He didn’t want to wake you.”

Her words feel carefully chosen, like she’s afraid even one might bruise me.

Work?

Knox is at work?

We were supposed to leave together.”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about,” she adds, her features gentle. “He just needed to handle a few things.”

The words land like a pinprick in my chest. “Right. Will he be meeting us at the airport?”

That same hesitation flickers across her face. “No. We’re going to Italy ahead of him. Knox will meet you there sometime tomorrow.”

“I see.” My voice comes out smaller than I intend.

“He asked me to make sure you were taken care of in the meantime.”