Page 12

12

Lying with Pigs

I ’d hoped Grimm would give me until noon before blowing up my phone. Okay, he called once, but the volume was on max, and I was still enjoying the nap I’d fallen into after Brick left. I had decided I wasn’t going into the office today. I planned to spend the day sleeping instead of dealing with the events that transpired the night before to this morning. Obviously, it was a stupid, optimistic thought. Grimm would want to know what happened. Those girls were still missing.

I pick up after the fifth ring, clearing my throat and tucking my hair behind my ear before speaking. “Hello.”

“Are you alone?” Grimm asks, all business.

“Yes,” I reply.

“Good. Kilo’s on the line. They took the bait.”

“What?”

“The Hunters fell for the information you planted. Jessica’s house was infiltrated, and we had a small team capture two Hunters.” Grimm’s voice echoes through my skull. I replay the events from last night. How did Brick possibly gather the where-with-all to text the Hunters when I was in the bathroom? Was he even really drunk? I suppose his downfall didn’t officially start until I came back from the restroom, but it all seems too implausible.

My mind races with images of just hours ago, his hands caressing my most sensitive flesh, his cock rubbing against my backside; it sours my gut. How could I let such a creature bring me so much pleasure? Now that it’s confirmed that Brick is a double agent, my relationship with him only needs to thicken. I have to get him to fall in love with me—to pull him into my web until he’s so intoxicated that he lets his guard down. It shouldn’t be difficult, judging from the cum coating his briefs, but shame boils deep in my veins. Just because I need to get him obsessed with me doesn’t mean I must enjoy the heat of him, and boy, did I enjoy myself—more than I want to admit.

The silence on the line falls to my attention, and a hopeful thought pops into my mind. “Did they interrogate the Hunters?”

Grimm sighs. “Yes, Red has been working with them to bring out any information….”

I cut him off. “Red? But she’s…”

“Yes, she shouldn’t be using her powers in her state or even be out of bed, but Cameron has been by her side, and she insists on helping in any way possible. You know how she is.”

“Ugh, yes.” I cringe at the thought of my best friend using her mind control powers so late in her pregnancy. She came into her powers only two years ago when the mating bond snapped into place between my brother and her. In fact, she didn’t know she was part Were until she met him, and he revealed her family’s history. Even though she’s very new to her strength, she controls it like a badass superhero. It only works when the person she’s using it on is in her presence, and it’s difficult to wield. She could get the Hunters to admit what they knew but couldn’t get them to return to their group and burn it all to the ground. Using her powers shouldn’t hurt the baby, but she’s supposed to be resting, not interrogating evil villains. I need to do more.

“Did she discover anything?”

“No, the two they sent seem to be new recruits. They don’t know where they’re hiding the other women, and the only names they mentioned were prominent Hunters.”

“Brick?” My heart picks up a speed.

“They didn’t mention Brick, no.”

Kilo’s voice breaks through. I’d almost forgotten he was on the line. “But obviously, we know Brick is working for the Hunters. How else would they have known?”

“Right,” I reply, tightening my fists at my side.

“Carmen, how did the date go yesterday? Do you think you could continue?” Grimm asks.

I’m so thankful that this conversation is over the phone and not in person. My cheeks beat hot under the question, replaying the scene from this morning. “Yeah.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat. “I can try to get more information from him.”

Kilo speaks. “Grimm and I were talking about offering you training. I was a special operations officer in the military, so I have experience in information extraction. I could give you some pointers.”

He’s offering to help me. It’s nice because he’s a nice guy, but I can’t help the sense of annoyance running through me. Why am I the one spying on Brick when Kilo is apparently a bonafide spy? The rational part of my brain takes over. Obviously, Kilo can’t distract Brick with tits, and I’ve got a fucking fantastic pair ready to use as weapons. “Yeah, that would be good,” I reply.

“Great,” says Kilo. “Are you free in about an hour? I could come over.”

I look around the mess of my room. I changed into a grey lounge set once Brick left but haven’t showered or brushed my teeth this morning, just falling right back into my nest of a bed where I’m currently perched. I jump to my feet with my cell phone still in hand. “Uh, yes. That could work.”

“Great. I’ll be there soon.”

“Thank you again, Carmen. You are an invaluable member of our pack.” Grimm’s words swell a knot inside of me. It’s nice to be appreciated, but also, he has no clue that I didn’t do a lot of spying yesterday. Instead of pressing Brick for answers in his drunken state, I just allowed us to fall asleep together, wrapped in each other’s arms, and in the morning, allowed him to strum me like a violin while I orgasmed to another realm. Maybe I do need Kilo’s help because I’ve barely started my mission, and I’m already on a downward spiral.

***

Kilo is punctual as ever, and I throw the last dirty sock into my hamper right as his sharp knock sounds on my wooden front door. I straighten my plain white t-shirt before charging to the door, taking a deep breath as I pull it open.

“Hello,” he says, his smile bright and his blue eyes as crisp as the sky behind him.

“Hi. Come on in,” I respond, stepping out of the way so he can walk inside.

He does that thing all guys do when they step into a new place, look at the rafters as if gauging the structural integrity of the space. “You’ve got a nice home.”

“Thanks.” I motion to the armchair just steps away. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?” I ask, walking toward the kitchen, separated from the living room by a half-wall with an opening to see in and out.

“Sure. I’ll take a water,” he responds as he sits, outstretching his large legs.

I return seconds later with two chilled glasses of water and hand one to him before sitting on the couch across from him. I take a sip, attempting to kill time before I talk. I’m nervous, which isn’t typical for me. Something about having a man in my home that I’m attracted to just hours after the other that made me come just left is an odd feeling. Maybe I feel a little guilty. Kilo saved me from Wood after he called me a slut. I don’t want to confirm his words, even if everything I do is to help the pack. I try to convince myself of this even as I doubt its truth.

Kilo sniffs the air, and my blood solidifies. Weres have a keen sense of smell. Could he possibly smell Brick? “Do you use lemon Pine Sol?” he asks.

I sigh in relief, a bit more dramatically than I’d like. “Yes, I just mopped.”

He chuckles. “That’s what I use too.”

“Cool.”

God, this is painful. He may be hot, but our chemistry is a trickling stream. Is it because I’m still thinking about Brick flicking my nipples? No, it can’t be. I cross my legs. “Where should we start?” I should ask him about his military training and learn more about his past, but I want to get this over with.

Kilo stands and sits next to me on the couch, turning to me. “Okay, so I completely trust your abilities, but just for a baseline, I need to see you tell a lie.”

“Tell a lie?”

He scoots closer. “I want to see if you have any tells.”

I laugh. “Well, I hope not. I’ve already been lying to Brick.”

“I know, and so far, so good, but you’ll have to start snooping through his stuff when he leaves, sending him away to give you time to search. The lies aren’t going to be planned and will pile on top of each other. I need to see if you have any obvious ticks. Brick’s a cop. He’d be able to tell.”

Shit. He’s right. I’ve been cautious, but Brick is a trained police officer and good enough at lying to convince us of his innocence these past few years, confirming his skills at deception. He would know if I’m lying if I’m not any good at it. Maybe I am skilled, or maybe Brick’s intoxicated state last night gave me the upper hand.

“Okay.” I bring my feet to the couch, crossing my legs and turning toward Kilo. I close my eyes and breathe, trying to think of a lie. I stare at him blankly. “My favorite food is seafood.”

The corners of Kilo’s lips upturn. “Okay. Now tell me something true.”

“I’ve never been to Cancun.”

His smile widens. “Okay, now another lie.”

“I’ve never masturbated.”

He bursts into a laugh as my cheeks heat. I don’t know why I said that. Maybe I wanted to make him more uncomfortable by throwing him off, but I should have said anything else. There was no need to admit to this man I barely know that I touched myself. He’s already caught me in enough embarrassing situations to last a lifetime.

He straightens, pointing a finger at me. “That’s a good one. Thought you’d throw me off there.”

“Did I?”

He shakes his head no. “I’ll admit, you’re not bad, but it’s your pupils. They dilate when you lie.”

“Really?”

“It’s subtle, but if you do it enough and he catches on to the pattern, you’re screwed.”

I cover my eyes with my hands. “How do I make it stop?”

“Practice,” he says as if it’s the easiest thing in the world. “You need to lie more, and I’ll watch and let you know when you’re doing it. Once you realize, you’ll start to correct the habit.”

“Okay,” I scoot closer, widening my eyes. “Let's do this.” I puff out my chest, ready to become a lying master.

“Tell me things I wouldn’t know about you, and I’ll decide if you’re lying or not.”

“Okay.” I try not to think too hard, rapid fire spewing random facts. “I don’t like broccoli.”

“Lie.”

“I’ve never watched The Godfather?”

“Truth?” he questions.

“Yes.”

“I…”

He holds up a hand. “Wait, you’ve never watched The Godfather?”

“No. Doesn’t really seem like my jam.”

“No, but you have to watch it.”

“Right now?”

He chuckles. “Not right now, but later. It’ll be a date.” It’s his turn for his cheeks to heat, and I can’t help but grin. “Okay. Sorry, back on track. Keep going.”

I don’t notice I’ve scooted closer to him, and I shiver as our knees brush. “I am afraid of chickens.”

“Lie.”

“Ugh! How do I make my pupils not dilate?”

“The trick is, when you lie, it needs to be as close to the truth as possible. It’ll make you less nervous.” I’d be less nervous if he left the room. I’m also under intense scrutiny—making me even more readable than usual.

“Okay.” I think for a moment. “I don’t brush my teeth in the morning.”

“Um, truth?” He cringes.

“Ha! Well, technically, I wait until after I eat breakfast. It’s still the morning, but it’s not the first thing I do.”

Kilo nods and claps his hands. “Okay, okay. We’re getting somewhere! Keep going!”

“I only eat steak medium rare.”

“Truth?”

“Nope! I mean, I will, but I’ll eat it other ways too.”

I’m so thrilled by my improving abilities that I don’t think clearly before opening my mouth and spewing the first thing that pops into my head. “I’m not attracted to you.”

The air thickens, and the fucks I want to yell rest inside of my mouth. I study Kilo as his eyes widen, and he takes me in. “Lie,” he replies, his eyes focused on my lips.

“Well, technically…”

“Technically?” How did he get so close to me? His breath whispers across my lips, his heat warming the small space between us.

My eyes close as he leans in, anticipating his lips on mine. “Please tell me you just mastered the skill of lying.” His eyes close, the tension relying on my next action.

“Maybe,” I whisper, my mind washing of reason.

“I guess I’ll just have to test for myself.” He removes the small distance, pressing his lips against mine and grabbing the back of my neck to hold me to him. I open, the breath I’d been holding leaving my mouth and filling his. Once he senses my willingness for the embrace, the kiss intensifies, and his other hand crawls up my back and pulls me toward him, directing me onto his lap. I crawl on, not breaking our kiss, my hands running over the expanse of his muscular back.

It’s a good kiss. The slickness between my legs demands attention, but something is missing. His smell doesn’t drive me wild, a crucial component for Weres. He could fuck me here on the couch, and it would be decent enough, but it would leave me wanting more. I need a distraction, though. A simple make-out session would be good for my head, but as his hands crawl up my front to grab my breasts, I freeze. He notices the hesitance, immediately pulling back and examining me before I crawl off his lap.

I deflate, kicking myself for ruining what could have been a simple relief. I’m assuming he’s returning to his Nordic home one of these days. This could be uncomplicated and fun, but I’ve already ruined the moment by displaying discomfort. He smiles at me, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “So, can I assume you’ve gotten better at lying?”

I smile with a nod. “What can I say? I had a great teacher.” I don’t tell him the truth, hoping he doesn’t notice my aversion to the question. Yes, I think Kilo is attractive, but the truth my mind settled on to deliver the convincing lie had everything to do with my overpowering, devastatingly annoying attraction to Brick.