Page 1 of Tangled Lies

CHAPTER 1

MARGAUX

Ismiled at the mirror to hide the rage. Practice makes perfect.

The grin that reflected back at me wasn’t me, not really. I practiced the look of innocence and obedience while on the inside I screamed.

Locked away in my room in the penthouse where my uncle kept me hidden away, my only chance at freedom was to follow his rules.

I grabbed up the crochet hook and wrapped the yarn around my fingers pretending that I was making a noose.

Every single stitch added to my chain. I smiled to myself thinking it looked exactly like a rope. Stab it. Wrap it. Pull it. I pulled the yarn tighter and tighter and tighter until my pinky burned from the circulation being cut off.

Wouldn’t it be a beautiful sight to let someone find my uncle hanging from something I had made? Would the yarn be strong enough?

I pushed the crochet onto the vanity. I reached for the mirror, studying my constant companion. I traced her features. The reflection of a perfect little princess room surrounding her. It was an illusion for a little girl locked away in a tower and it setthe perfect backdrop to the smile I no longer recognized as my own.

Every moment I sat here locked away, a prisoner to a man that claimed he knew what was best for me, killing another little part of the girl that might have once been. Once upon a time I had been someone else.

I glanced as my phone vibrated, begging for attention. I looked at the one of three numbers that could be calling me, and this time the smile on my face wasn’t forced. I tapped the green phone icon.

“Hey, Reina.”

I picked at the crochet still sitting on my vanity. One more skill a proper lady could have, but I doubted crocheted skulls were what dear uncle had in mind.

“Hey. There’s a private game tonight. I grabbed some stuff. You still want in, right? My car’s out front.”

I peeked at the time. Eight.

“Sure. Did they mention how much we’d get paid?”

I stood up. The small little stool in front of the vanity covered in gross pink frills pissed me off about as much as the knee-length skirt, perfect button-down blouse, and matching blazer did.

The worst part of growing up was becoming smart enough to realize those around you weren’t always there to protect you.

“Yeah. It’s a thousand just to sign the NDA. After that, tips, and if it goes over three hours, there’s a few thousand more,” Reina said.

I glanced back at the mirror, looking at the reflection of a woman I didn’t like. If only my uncle knew what lengths I would go to to get away from him.

“Okay. I’ll be down as soon as I can.”

I grabbed a small overnight bag, tossing in a long nightgown made for a nun, and then grabbed some toiletries to sell this shit.The door was silent as I pulled it open, but that didn’t mean shit in this penthouse.

I stepped out into the hallway, numb. The innocent smile I practiced was plastered on my face along with the blank stare. I headed toward the door, walking slowly, waiting.

He cleared his throat behind me.

“Where are you going this late at night?”

I blew out a breath I doubted he could see and turned around.

“Uncle. You’re back already?”

I swallowed the anger and slipped into my role. The dutiful goddaughter. I dropped my bag and squealed like a little girl instead of a woman in her early twenties. I ran two steps, my bare feet slapping along the tile of the hallway, and reached up to hug him the way he expected me to.

“Of course, Margaux, did Miss Schmidt, not mention I was coming back early?”

I smiled at him as he put me down.