Page 146 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“And what is this code you were looking for?”

I know I shouldn’t say too much. I have no doubt Mason is interrogating me. He’ll use anything I say against me. I glance at Lake, and she also appears to be waiting for my answer. But my bout with full disclosure can only go so far.

“I can’t tell you,” I whisper and swallow to moisten my dry throat.

He snorts bitterly. “I don’t know what to do about you, Lark. I mean, whatever your name is.”

“Her name is Paisley, Mason,” Lake chimes in. “And she’s still the same person you were concerned about before you knew her real identity.”

He stares at Lake, bewildered. I think what I feared is happening—my lie is getting between them.

“Mason, I'm not asking you to forget that I lied to you for two weeks,” I say to take the pressure off Lake. “And, Lake, I don't want you to expect Mason to forgive me. I was wrong. I am wrong. I don't know what to do next, but I know that I don't want to get between the two of you.”

Lake sighs as she massages her temples. “I think we should sleep on this and talk in the morning.” Her eyes seem to plead for me and Mason to accept her recommendation.

“She’s spending the night here?” Mason asks, peering at me as if we have never been friends or colleagues.

I would remind him of all the good I’ve done for VTI even while being a Grove, but by the look on his face, I don’t think it’ll matter.

“Yes, Mason. She is. I’m not going to throw her out in the cold.”

“She’s a goddamn billionaire,” Mason explodes, pointing at me as if I’m not even a person.

I’m dizzy as I rise to my feet. “I can find my way home if…”

“No,” Lake says, and my butt drops back down on the sofa. My legs are weak, and I’m really tired. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t leave right now, even if I wanted to.

Mason shoots to his feet. “Do whatever you want. I’m going back to bed.”

Lake and I watch him storm off. When he’s out of sight and her bedroom door slams, she and I look at each other with wide eyes. I think we’re both relieved he didn’t storm out of the apartment. But still, I don’t think he and I will ever recover from my deception.

Lake setme up in her guest room. I find the view of the building next door comforting. The brick blocks most of the light from the outside, making the bedroom extra dark. Even though I’m beyond exhausted, I haven’t been able to sleep. At one point, I heard Lake and Mason muttering as if they were arguing with each other. Then their silence turned to moans and grunts.

Sex…

Guilt is keeping me awake. Sure, they ended up making love, but if not for me, they wouldn’t have fought in the first place. Lake isn’t going to back down. She’s forgiven me. She’s still my friend. I feel secure about that. But Mason isn’t going to back down either. He reviles me, and there’s nothing I can do to change that.

I flip over onto my right side then yawn. I’m still uncomfortable, so I thrust myself up to sit.

What am I doing here?No, really—what am I doing here?

My life has blown up into a million pieces. I'm trapped in the middle of the chaos. Hercules caught me committing a crime. I broke his heart. I broke my own heart.

I shake my head. I can't be still. I have to do something with myself. I have to move now.

I’m quickly out of bed. Lake put my wet clothes on a heat bar. Shoes in hand, I tiptoe down the hallway to her pint-sized laundry room. I try not to make a peep, but the floorboards squeak.

I stand still and listen for any movement. Seconds tick by quietly.I put on my clothes then tiptoe to the living room. I’m a few steps from the door, and…

“Where do you think you’re going?” Lake asks.

Hand pressed over my heart, I jump then turn to see her standing behind me.

That’s a good question. My lips part as I’m trapped in a moment of confusion. “I don’t know yet. But first I have to go back to the apartment.”

She checks over her shoulder then carefully approaches me. “Why? Stay here. It’s late. And I promise we’ll get this all worked out in the morning. I think Mason just might come around.”

My eyes soften as I gaze at my friend’s lovely face. She really does look like an angel. “Thank you for your kindness, but…”