Page 21 of Tangled Lies

Knox grabbed the guy under his armpits as he slouched, and Jett put the knife back in his boot before he grabbed the guy’s legs.

“Maybe I stab him a few more times before we dump him?”

Knox grunted, meaning whatever, before they quickly disappeared out of the room.

“Talon? Grab the cleaning supplies.”

I turned to Margaux, studying her.

“Little bird, exactly what animals have tried to get into that cage of yours?”

I ran my fingers over her smooth cheek, unable to stop myself. She never looked away.

“Fascinating,” I said before I turned around toward the mess on the floor.

“Who is she? Really?” Knox asked me before I could even process another glorious fucking morning.

Sleep hadn’t come easy. I didn’t like her being in this house. I didn’t like her being in my room, even if I’d pushed her ass to the couch. Of course, with her came Jett. I could hear her toss and turn all fucking night. I had Jett’s fucking arm across my chestfar too many times. I should have just let Jett have her. She’d already tried to auction off her v card, and why should I care?

Shit. Why did I care?

The coffee hit differently today, and I was chugging it praying it would fix my life.

“Ronan, what is up with you? Didn’t sleep? Your room was pretty quiet,” Talon said.

I held onto the coffee cup like my life depended on it, keeping it suspended in front of my lips.

“She was on the couch. Jett, you fucking snore,” was all I said.

I didn’t care about her and this coffee wasn’t fixing shit.

“What is she?” I asked.

They were all quiet, waiting for me to keep going.

“My arranged marriage.”

Talon choked and spit juice everywhere.

“What?”

I glared at Knox over the table.

“Thanks for asking, prick,” I mumbled into my cup.

Jett was finishing up the bacon and eggs, and my stomach growled as if to tell him to hurry the fuck up.

I ran my hand down my face, rubbing my open palm over my cheek for a moment too long. I sure as shit wasn’t as numb to her as I should have been.

All I could do was nod as I watched a fixed point on the wall trying to control my anger or confusion. Shit.

“I’m only as good to the Barones as any of their other kids. Illegitimate or not, I have to pay the price. She was supposed to be my price for being a Barone.”

What I didn’t say was I no longer wanted to kill her simply for being my arranged bride.

“Wait a fucking second. We’ve been stalking your arranged marriage?” Talon asked.

I shifted my gaze, still avoiding my boys.