Page 48 of Lust & Lies

Together, we turned and headed back to the parking area, chatting about the situation with Aaron Clark and Clark Constructions as we walked. I couldn’t believe that bastard had one of my own dump bodies at my site.

His goal had been to take out two prominent families with one crime scene. Recently, the Clark family started showing interest in buying failing hotels and renovating them. Bak Resorts were their biggest competition in the local hotel industry.

And when it came to construction jobs, the Cattaneos were their biggest competition. Those fuckers were trying to take two rival companies out with one criminal investigation. As long as either company was being investigated, neither could handle business as usual.

That would propel Aaron and his family to the top. Smart. Unfortunately for them, Aaron’s plan failed. Instead, he was going to get his problems dropped right back off to his weak ass. And he’d be the one with his businesses on hold while he went through a criminal investigation.

As for Louis, I told Julian I’d handle the cover story since he was one of my guys. I’d just make it look like he’d run off, leaving his family behind, because he’d been embezzling money and knew he was close to being found out.

That plan was solid and wrapped up any loose ends that could unravel later. In the end, neither of our companies should be implemented in Aaron’s investigation. By the time we made it near my car, we already had a plan in place.

But before my car came into view, Noe did. Shit. She was heading my way. I couldn’t let her get closer. I sped up, making my way toward her. Instead of going his own way, Julian followed me. This motherfucker!

“I got worried,” Noe told me, sounding sweet and innocent.

But I knew better. What was she up to?

“Is everything okay?” she asked, smiling up at me.

The anger drained out of me instantly with that one smile.

“Everything’s fine. Just a hiccup at the site,” I told her, reaching for her hand, needing to touch her.

She placed her hand in mine. I felt the tension ease out of my shoulders. It was crazy how one touch, one smile from this woman could fix everything for me.

“Let’s go,” I told her, leading her toward our car, my conversation with Julian completely forgotten.

She stared over her shoulder at Julian. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your colleague?” Noe asked.

Fuck! I was hoping she wouldn’t say that. Just like I’d been hoping he wouldn’t say anything to her.

I was surprised when Julian stepped forward and said, “I’m Julian Cattaneo. It’s nice to meet you, finally, Ms. Park.”

He knew something was up, or he wouldn’t have introduced himself that way.

The Noelle he was familiar with knew him also.

The fact that Noe thought this was her first time meeting him had the young Cattaneo staring at me with suspicion in his eyes.

Thankfully, he didn’t tell her he’d met her before.

That would raise questions from both of them that I wasn’t prepared to answer right here, right now. Before I could give Julian the rundown, I had to confess my lies to Noe. I glared at Julian, hoping he’d understand the look and keep his damn mouth shut.

“It’s nice to meet you, also, Mr. Cattaneo,” Noe said, gifting him with a smile that should’ve been reserved for me.

Grinning, Julian faced me. He was enjoying this way too much.

“Let’s catch up over drinks this weekend,” Julian suggested.

“I’ll be with my wife,” I started, only to have her speak up.

“I’ll be fine,” she told me. “I’m doing much better now. Have drinks with your friend this weekend. You don’t have to watch over me all day, every day.”

I could read between the lines. She wanted me out of the house. What did she have planned? Was she going to try to leave me? Fuck that and fuck Julian. I wasn’t leaving her side. I turned my glare on Julian.

“I’ll be in touch, Julian.”

“Do that, Mr. Park,” he called out, smirking in that irritating ass way of his.

I’d joked about him falling for the weather girl dozens of times. I guess now, it was his turn to laugh at my expense. I led Noe to the car. And this time, she allowed me to open the door for her.

She even let me buckle her seat belt. After it clicked into place, I remained leaning over her, peering into her eyes, inhaling the scent of her lotion. Because of her, cocoa butter was one of my favorite scents.

“Is there something you want to say, Mr. Park? Are you mad at me for getting out of the car?” she asked sweetly.

“That smile you gave Julian was too bright,” I told her, gaze dropping to her lips.

She chose that moment to lick her lips, knowing exactly what she was doing to me.

“Oh, so you want me to tone down my smiles?” she asked, smiling brightly.

“In front of others, yes. That smile is meant for me and me alone.”

“Is that so, Mr. Park?”

“Yes...” I paused with the words Mrs. Park on the tip of my tongue.

No matter how badly I wanted to call her that, I couldn’t. Not anymore. I was done lying to her. Until she was legally mine, I could no longer refer to her as my wife or Mrs. Park. That thought had me swallowing the lump forming in my throat.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’m scared,” I whispered, those words slipping out before I could stop them.

Confusion filtered into her beautiful brown eyes.

“Scared of what?” she asked.

“Of losing you.” Again.

“I don’t know who told me this, but I remember someone once saying that honest people had nothing to fear. As long as you’ve always been honest with me, always loved me, always cherished me, then you should never fear losing me, husband.”

Husband.

Guilt sliced through me. That one word could be the reason I lost her. My brother had asked me if I’d regretted what I’d done, all the lies, the scheming, the killing to get her by my side again.

My answer was still no.

But I regretted everything I’d let my grandfather pressure and blackmail me into doing, which caused me to become someone else’s husband. That was my only regret. I would never regret the things I’d done to right that wrong.

But what if there was no making it right? What if there was no fixing what I’d broken? What if Noe still refused to forgive me once the truth was revealed? What was I supposed to do then?

“Have you always been honest with me, always loved and cherished me?” Noe asked, placing her palm against my cheek. “Have you, husband?”

Damn. I felt like crying.