Page 149 of Beautiful Lies

Except something strange has happened to me.

The Knox Vale I’m supposed to be feels like an act.

The first three days back, I’ve sat in meetings, drafted proposals, talked to executives—doing all the shit I used to breathe like oxygen. But for the first time in my life, it all feels… thin and hollow. Like I’m wearing someone else’s skin.

Then I go home, and there she is.

My wife.

I see Isla, and suddenly,thatfeels like the truth. The person I am when I’m with her feels real, and I don’t bother pretending I don’t crave it. Craveher.

Friday comes faster than I expect, dragging me back into the chaos of my old world.

Tonight is the Vale Global Summer Gala. Our first public appearance since the wedding. The one half of New York’s press has been foaming at the mouth over.

Everyone wants a glimpse of the billionaire and his new bride. We’ll be swarmed by a parade of cameras and society vultures, waiting for the perfect photo.

Isla’s supposed to meet me here.

I’m in the grand hall with Locke and Levi. I’m half-listening as they go back and forth about someone’s deal memo. The other part of my mind is on Isla.

I can’t wait to see her. I don’t give a shit about the purpose of tonight, nor the press waiting to invade our lives. I just want her.

“I swear to God, the Rawlings have no idea what the hell they want,” Locke sneers, cutting into my thoughts. “First, they ask for a full acquisition, then they want a partnership, now they’re talking about a ‘creative alliance.’ What does that even mean?”

Levi snorts. “It means they’re idiots. We should bill them double for wasting our time.”

Locke flicks him a look. “You’d bill a dying man for his last breath.”

“I would.” Levi smirks. “Gladly. Especially if he sent a memo like this.”

Locke rolls his eyes at him and focuses on me. I hope like hell he doesn’t ask me anything important. I have no idea what he said before. “What should we do?”

“I’ll take a look at the files and let you know Monday.” That answer should buy me some time.

“Monday may be too late. They won’t stop calling me.”

My brother suffers from the same curse as me of always being available and never knowing when to draw a line.

“Then either divert all calls to voicemail or switch the phone off.”

His mouth falls open, and the two of them stare at me like I just grew an extra head.

“You can’t be our brother.” Locke shakes his head.

“Yeah, the same brother who made us work from morning till night ten days in a row without sleep,” Levi adds with a frown.

I give them a slow grin. “I’m cutting you some slack.”

“Or maybe you’re pussy-whipped.”

I arch a brow at Levi. “Say that again.”

He lifts both hands. “I’m just calling it like I see it, bro.”

Locke grins like the traitor he is. “He’s got a point. Italy changed you, man. You’re suspiciously… agreeable. Andnice.”

“I’m the same as always.” That’s a blatant lie and we all know it.