Page 42 of Web of Lies

Riley

"Where are you taking me?" I ask, taking my eyes off the trees flying by and turning my attention to Kyle, who is driving through the woods.

The scorching summer sun breaks through the dense treetops above, scattering golden spots of light across the road.

"We've been driving for hours, with only one stop for breakfast. Please just tell me where we're going. "

Kyle woke me up at six in the morning—leaving me with only three hours of sleep—and said that we had to leave immediately because he wanted us out of the city before the roads got clogged with rush hour traffic.

Our bags were already packed. Dumpster was gone.

My spiders' enclosures had been neatly arranged for whoever he had entrusted with their care.

We made a quick stop at the office to grab my laptop, and then he made me call in sick for an extended period.

And ever since we hit the highway, every attempt I've made to get answers has been brushed off with vague responses.

"Somewhere you'll be safe," he says.

"Safe?" I glance at him, furrowing my brows. "I thought your apartment was safe."

"It is," he says, with a brief nod, while keeping his eyes fixed on the road. "But believe me, you're safer where I'm taking you. No one gets near that place without being noticed. Anyone who tries will have a bullet between their eyes before they can bat an eyelash."

My eyes widen as I stare at him. "How?"

"Security measures," he says with a dismissive shrug. "Put in place by two deeply traumatized people." My lips part as if I'm about to say something, but Kyle cuts me off. "There, you'll be able to learn how to shoot. And potentially kill in peace," he adds.

"In peace?" I repeat after him. "How am I supposed to learn how to kill in the middle of nowhere? There's no one around."

"First, you start with target training. Then, you move on to hunting."

"Hunting?" My brows shoot up.

"Yes, you have to learn what it feels like to take a life. To pull the trigger and know that something was breathing one second and is gone the next. It's easier to start with animals."

I swallow the lump climbing up my throat. "Is that how you started?"

"Yes."

I hum in response, take my eyes off him, and focus on the trees flying by.

Every now and then, we pass a narrow driveway that disappears into the woods, hidden by tall pines and dense bushes.

One after the other until Kyle flips on the turn signal, slows down, and pulls into one of them.

The road narrows and becomes bumpier as the tires crunch over gravel and twigs.

After a short drive, a gate appears ahead.

Kyle slows the car to walking speed, and the gate creaks open on its own.

I steal a glance at Kyle, but he keeps his focus on the road.

He follows the rocky path until the trees clear, revealing a breathtaking view of a large modern house by a peaceful lake surrounded by an assortment of tall trees.

The sleek, dark wooden exterior blends seamlessly into the surrounding nature, while the mirrored windows reflect the forest and sky, making it impossible to see inside.

I furrow my brows as Kyle slows the car and pulls up in front of the large open garage.

My eyes sweep over the vehicles parked inside.

A shiny black sports car is next to a polished German SUV.

Off to the side, in front of the garage, sits a black pickup truck.

Everything is spotless and lined up with precision.

"Where are we?" I ask, turning my attention to Kyle, who is looking at his phone and typing a message.

When he doesn't answer, I turn my focus back to the house.

My eyes widen at the sight of two white doves perched on the roof of the front porch, grooming each other.

A few more strut across the perfectly trimmed lawn, pecking at the grass.

My stomach twists as the realization hits me, and my fingers tighten around the seatbelt, and I take a deep breath.

Then, the front door swings open, and my best friend, Evelyn, steps outside wearing a red, flowy summer dress. A dog rushes past her, leaping across the porch and down the steps, its tail wagging back and forth as it barks at Kyle's car.

Kyle glances at me, a smile plastered on his face. "Surprise. We're staying with them," he says. Before I can react, he climbs out of the car and shouts a greeting to Evelyn.

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips, and I quickly unbuckle my seatbelt and jump out of the car.

Evelyn is already halfway down the steps, the dog chasing her with its tongue sticking out.

We meet halfway down the pathway and crash into each other with a squeal.

Her head knocks into my shoulder, and we clutch each other tightly, as if we haven't seen each other in years, even though it's only been a few weeks.

"I missed you," I say, holding her close.

"I missed you, too," Evelyn chuckles as she squeezes me before pulling back to look at me. "God, it's so good to see you."

I hold her hands and give them a gentle tug as I look her up and down. "I'm so happy to be here with you." My heart flutters as a wave of relief washes over me. Kyle could have taken me anywhere, but he brought me straight to Evelyn. One of the few people I would trust with my life.

Out of the corner of my eye, movement catches my attention. My breath catches in my throat as Noah walks out of the house. He is wearing black suit pants and a baby blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A cigarette hangs from his lips as he lights it, his attention locked on us.

My gaze shifts to Kyle, who walks up the porch, throws an arm around Noah's shoulder, and guides him toward the door with his loud, warm laugh echoing through the air.

To my surprise, when I see the two of them side by side, I notice Noah is taller.

Not by much, but it's noticeable. However, Kyle is broader and stockier than Noah, making up for his lack of height with mass.

"Are you okay?" Evelyn asks, and my attention drifts back to her.

"It's just strange to see Noah," I admit.

She chuckles and lightly tugs my hand, pulling me toward the house. "He's not as scary as you think."

I follow her up the steps and into the house.

The moment we step inside, my eyes widen at the contrast between the dark polished exterior and the interior.

The house is bright and full of warmth. Earthy tones run throughout the space, softened by woven rugs decorating the dark wooden floor and exotic indoor plants nestled in the corners.

A few plush dog toys are scattered across the floor, reminding me of Dumpster when she empties her toy basket.

The house is warm, lived-in, and inviting.

It's nothing like my cluttered, half-organized apartment and worlds away from Kyle's sleek, modern penthouse.

It's beautiful and oddly comforting. Until I spot the taxidermied doves.

Scattered throughout the hallway, they're perched on shelves, their glassy, lifeless eyes staring forward.

She gives my hand another tug and leads me down the hallway toward the living room.

Kyle and Noah are sitting on the large beige sofa.

While Kyle leans back with one arm over the back of the sofa, making himself right at home, Noah sits straighter, leaning forward as he twists his cigarette in the ashtray.

Kyle looks up first and flashes me a reassuring smile.

Noah's gaze flicks to us as well, but his expression doesn't change as he looks us up and down.

"Baby." Evelyn's voice pulls me out of my thoughts when the pet name rolls off her tongue and catches Noah's attention.

His gaze locks onto her, and the harsh lines of his face soften as a hint of warmth replaces his previous cold demeanor.

Without hesitation, he rises from the couch, steps around the coffee table, and walks up to us.

"Nice to meet you," he says in a low rumble as he offers me his hand.

I freeze for a second, every muscle in my body locking in place.

Up close, he's even more intimidating. Through his framed glasses, one bright green eye stares at me.

The left side of his face is nothing but smooth skin.

His eye is gone, the socket sealed shut with skin.

"Nice to meet you, too," I say, my voice wobbly as the word tumbles from my lips.

"Thanks for helping bring me home last year," he adds, with a quiet nod that barely moves his head.

"I—you're welcome?" I murmur, more of a question than a statement, sounding like an awkward teenager caught off guard. Evelyn chuckles under her breath, clearly having fun at my expense. Noah arches an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth quirks into a small, amused smile.

"What would you like to drink?" Evelyn asks, placing her hand on my back as she guides me past Noah to the couch, where I sit beside Kyle. Meanwhile, Noah heads toward the open kitchen connected to the living room.

"I need a beer," Kyle calls after Noah, who has already pulled open the fridge and grabbed two bottles of beer.

"And you?" Evelyn turns back to me with a warm smile.

"What do you have?" I ask, glancing between her and Noah in the kitchen.

"Everything," Noah says, opening the beers. "Water, juice, soda, and every type of alcohol you can imagine."

"Alcohol sounds good."

"Gin and tonic?" Evelyn suggests.

"That sounds good," I say, smiling up at her when she mentions our usual girls' night drink.

"Coming right up," Noah says and, with a few practiced steps, makes the drinks and brings them over. He sets Kyle and my drinks down in front of us, then hands Evelyn hers before sitting next to her on the sofa with his own.

"Thank you so much," I say as I pick up my glass and take a sip. The liquid slips down easily, melting the tension in my chest.