Page 32 of The Deceptions

He intended to leave me the second I closed my eyes. I feel it in my bones. He’s gone and has sent Jordy in his place. Maybe because I like Jordy better at the moment.

Jordy gives me a megawatt smile. “Jonathan said you might need some help today. Uh... coping with you know… your newest assignment.” He cringes, nervously waving his hands around without making eye contact.

“Great. So, you know what I'm getting ready to do.” My shoulders slump, and my eyes squeeze shut. I’m one day closer to my new destiny.

It feels like I'm in some sort of weird reality. Tomorrow, I won't be Olivia. I'll be Oliver. A headache forms in my skull, and I know I'm about to have the longest day of my life with only a few hours of sleep.

If Jordy is here, that means Jonathan has brought reinforcements to prepare me for my mission.

“Exactly.” Jordy grins, snapping his fingers. “That's why I'm here. I mean, I am the perfect male specimen to help you become… well, me.”

I groan, tossing a pillow at his face. “You're not the perfect male specimen.” Cocky dick.

“Pfft. Am so. Why else would I be here to help you into your new wardrobe and cut your hair?” He wiggles his brows playfully and then stops at the look on my face. My fingers weave throughmy long strands. “Livy, I know what it means to you.” Yes. He does know.

He's probably the only person on the planet who's broken me open and seen the ugly underneath. All my scars. My nightmares. Everything I can’t say aloud.

Jordy may be my pest, like a little brother who pokes at the bear too often and way too hard, but he's been my best friend for years. Others in our division at Veritas thought we were rolling around in the hay and getting frisky. But that's never been us. He's my family. The only family since my world burned to ash.

The only person besides Jonathan I grew to trust.

“I told you not to call me that.” Becausehecalled me that. Livy. All through our time together. Now, the nickname brings nothing but rage through my veins.

My eyes refuse to focus on anything else but the window illuminated by the sun. Its rays bounce through the glass, lighting up the room with its good morning.

The bed dips beside me, and Jordy sighs, putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.

“This is why I'm here. He said you disappeared yesterday afternoon into the late night and…” He sniffs my hair, recoiling from me with his mouth open. “Holy shit. You disappeared to get laid!”

I frown, pushing him over. He cackles, holding his stomach.

“Wait until the others hear about this. Oh my God, Liv!”

“Go home!” I hiss, shoving him completely off the bed until he lands with an umph.

“Can't,” he wheezes, staring up at the ceiling with a grin. “Was it good? The dick? Wait, I don't really want to know.” He wrinkles his nose in disgust.

The best ever. I don't think I've had an orgasm like that since… Well, never. Too bad Malic was a certified stalker who put a tracking device on me.

“No. We're not discussing this.” I frown, sniffing myself and blanching. Yeah. It's the smell of sex, booze, and terrible fucking decisions. “I'm going to take a shower. Then we can do… Whatever it is you're doing here.”

I stand, making my way to the bathroom, but Jordy’s voice halts my retreat.

“I'm here to help you become your newest assignment. That's all.” He sounds so earnest and quiet. Like he knows exactly what's going through my mind.

“And what is your case?” I ask, peeking over my shoulder.

His lips purse. “Some art thief, thirty minutes from here in the big city. After I escort you to your living quarters, I'll be on my way.” He shrugs, turning to his side and propping himself up on his elbow. “I'll be close if you need me. I'm just a phone call away.”

“Always?” I ask, raising my brow.

“You know it.” He nods. “Now, go get naked and clean the sex from your body. You repulse me.” He fakes shivers and laughs when I flip him off.

See? Like a damn annoying brother.

“He left?” I ask again for the millionth time since I got out of the shower and met Jordy in the small living room. Even though I knew the moment Jordy was hovering above me with water in his hands that Jonathan had abandoned me, I still needed to confirm.

Delicious takeout boxes are strewn on the coffee table, wafting their smells throughout the room. My stomach rumbles, but ash rests on my tongue.