The Lies We Tell Ourselves (A Southern Heroes Novel Book 3)

by Michelle Heard

  “Why the hell didn’t you think of that earlier?” I grumble as I head back to the security room. Walking inside, I look at the bare wall which contains an AC unit. “Shit.”

  “What’s shit? What do you mean by shit?” Wyatt panics.

  “There’s nothing to hide a camera in. If I put it on top of the AC unit you won’t see shit,” I say, then glance around the rest of the room. Seeing a plant on the other side, I move it across the room and position it in the corner before I put a camera in it. “Can you see the monitors?”

  “I can see two. There’s a leaf in the way.”

  Checking which leaf is blocking Wyatt’s view, I pluck the thing and shove it in my pocket. “And now?”

  “I can see three out of the eight. The others are a bit blurry. Let me try and zoom in on them.”

  I glance around the room again, and my eyes go back to the AC unit. I pull the drawers of the desk open and search everywhere for something I can use to stick a camera to the side of the AC. Finding a pack of gum, I pull a face. It won’t hold for long.

  “It’s worth a damn try. Get it up there! We’re runnin’ out of time,” Wyatt yells excitedly.

  I shove a stick of gum in my mouth and chew until it’s playable. Sticking it to the side of the small camera, I then place a chair beneath the AC, and stand on it. I attach the camera to the side at an angle.

  “How’s that?”

  “Good! We’re good! Paul’s coming down the hallway. Move your ass!”

  I get down and place the chair back where it was, then sit down and lean back into a relaxed position.

  “FYI, you’re a pain in the ass,” I mumble while letting out a breath.

  “I need a drink,” Wyatt says breathlessly. “Suddenly I miss fillin’ out paperwork. I’m not cut out for this super-spy shit.”

  “That’s for sure,” I chuckle.

  CHAPTER 12

  “I can’t trust him.”

  REECE

  My mind is still racing with everything that’s happened over the past week. It feels like I haven’t had a quiet moment to gather my thoughts.

  I have a team of renovators working around the clock to get the new house ready for mom. The attorney is pushing the paperwork through, calling in favors so the property can be put in my name as soon as possible.

  And Alec. He’s been such a huge help. I think I would’ve lost my mind if it weren’t for him. Besides protecting me, he’s helped me pack all our belongings, and he’s taken over reading to Mom, so I have time to make calls.

  It’s becoming harder not to depend on him. I keep telling myself not to trust him.

  The doctor has just checked in on Mom and said she’s much better and will be able to be discharged in two days.

  Pastor Doug, Clay’s foster father, walks into the room. He’s also Birdie’s adoptive father. I smile and get up to greet him.

  “It’s so nice of you to visit,” I say, giving him a hug. I practically spent half my childhood in his house.

  “Birdie told me your mom was in the hospital and I wanted to check on her. How are y’all holdin’ up? Do you need anythin’?”

  Alec comes to stand by us, and I first introduce him. “This is my friend, Alec.” When they shake hands, I add, “Pastor Doug is like a second father to me.”

  Turning to Mom, I say, “Look who’s come to visit you.”

  “Hey, Ally,” Pastor Doug greets Mom. He takes a seat next to her bed and begins to tell her what’s been happening around Lyman.

  When visiting hours come to an end, we walk out with Pastor Doug.

  “Clay tells me things aren’t going well between you two.” I hear the question and hate Clay for not being honest with Pastor Doug.

  “Our lives are going in different directions, and I want to focus on Mom,” I explain without pointing fingers.

  “These things happen, I suppose,” Pastor Doug says with a sigh. “It’s a pity.”

  “Thanks for stoppin’ by,” I say to bring the conversation to an end. There’s still a lot I have to do before this day is over.

  “I’ll come by again.” Pastor Doug smiles then walks to where his car is parked.

  As soon as we’re walking toward our car, and Pastor Doug is out of earshot, I say to Alec. “Can we go for coffee somewhere. There’s somethin’ I’d like to talk about in private.”

  “Sure,” he answers, holding open the door for me to get into the car.

  The drive to the coffee shop is conducted in silence, and I use the time to go over what I want to discuss with him.

  Once we’re seated at a table, and our orders have been placed, I get right to the point. “You’re still employed by Clay, and it bothers me.”

  Alec leans back in his chair, not looking worried at all.

  “I’d like for you to stay on as my guard once we move.”

  He only nods, still not saying anything which makes me a little nervous. Taking the contract I had drawn up by the attorney from my bag, I place it between us on the table.

  “This is my offer.”

  Alec lowers his eyes to the envelope, and when he reaches for it, my heartbeat begins to pick up.

  Why am I so nervous?

  A waitress brings our drinks, and I sip on my cappuccino while Alec looks through the contract.

  “It’s pretty straight forward,” I add. “Basically, you’ll keep doing everythin’ you’ve done for me so far.”

  The corner of his mouth lifts and his eyes flick to mine. “Read for your mom? You actually put it in here?”

  “Yeah, she likes it. While you’re with us, I’d like for you to continue with it.”

  He nods, then finishes reading the pages before placing it on the table. He takes a sip of his beverage then says, “It sounds reasonable.”

  I point a finger at the contract. “All you have to do is sign and let me have your bank details.”

  “Do you have a pen?”

  I dig one out of my bag and hand it to him. The relief I feel when he signs on the dotted line should worry me. It goes far beyond the feeling of security.

  Shoving the thought away, I add, “Can you arrange for security at the new house. I prefer you remainin’ the only guard so I can move Mom freely around the house without other people makin’ her uncomfortable.”

  “So, an alarm system and cameras?” he asks.

  “Yeah, just the basics. I’ll also hire a live-in nurse to help Mom, then I don’t have to worry whenever I have to attend a meetin’ or function.”

  Alec stares at me for a while, then a smile forms around his mouth until it lights up his eyes. It makes him look approachable and caring.

  “You’re doing the right thing, Reece,” he says, the warmth shimmering through in his words.

  Alec’s sharp gaze and ruggedly beautiful smile are quickly becoming a danger to my heart.

  We stop by the new house, and I’m happy to see how far the renovators have gotten since yesterday.

  The only thing they’ve added to the first floor is a ramp for Mom’s wheelchair to get into the house. From the second floor, they’re adding a curved ramp adjacent to the stairs for Mom’s wheelchair. It’s taking a little longer than expected, but it’s necessary. I considered having a chair lift installed, but with Mom’s current condition, it’s not conducive at this stage for her rehabilitation. Right now, she’s still too weak to do much by herself, but I’m hoping she will get stronger in her new surroundings with the help of a live-in nurse.

  I also had Mom’s bathroom changed to suit her better. Not wanting Mom to be stuck in her bedroom again, I’ve had them adapt one of the extra rooms into a cinema of sorts so she can watch her shows in comfort.

  Walking into the kitchen, they’re busy putting in new counters which will be at Mom’s level when she’s in her wheelchair.

  “It will take another four days,” Alec says when I meet him in front of the indoor garden.

  Four more days in that house with Clay? Shit, Mom will also be released in two d
ays.

  Alec must see the worry on my face because he reaches out and gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Let me talk to them again.”

  I follow him to where the site manager is standing by the stairs.

  “Is there any way you can bring in another team so you can work around the clock?” Alec asks. “We need it done in two days.”

  I hate expecting the impossible from people. It makes me feel shitty even asking.

  “I’ll call the office and see if they can free up a team for me,” the site manager answers to my surprise.

  “Great, give either of us a call when you have an answer.”

  A grin spreads over my face as Alec turns around, and he shrugs while saying, “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”

  “The movers will bring the stuff tomorrow. I’ll have them pack some items in other rooms so you might have to help me move them when they're finished renovatin’.” I say, glancing around the ground floor again.

  “It will mostly be your Mom’s things, the kitchen stuff, and living room suite. That won’t be hard to move.”

  I love how Alec always has a positive answer. Clay would have crapped himself if he were here. Everything was an issue with him.

  “I might get used to havin’ you around.”

  Alec grins at me, and it’s then I realize I said the words out loud. Spinning around on my heel, I walk right out of the house wanting to kick my own butt.

  That was something Alec didn’t need to know.

  CHAPTER 13

  “I won’t cross the line.”

  ALEC

  Damn, I’m relieved when the last of the things have been loaded in the moving truck, and it’s heading to the new house. Finally, we can leave this place.

  The past four days have been anything but easy. Roberts’ has taken every chance he could to take a shot at Reece. The only good things that happened are the cameras I’ve planted, not being discovered, and Reece managing to have the hospital to keep her mom a little longer.

  We walk out of the house so we can pick up Mrs. Nicolson at the hospital with her Nurse, Ms. Hensley, who will be the live-in nurse. Halfway to the car, Roberts storms outside, waving a piece of paper and looking pissed as hell.

  “Take this shit with you,” he shouts. “It’s not my problem any longer.”

  He shoves the paper hard against Reece’s chest, making her stagger backward. I grab hold of her arm and help her regain her balance before I step in front of her.

  “After all I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?” Roberts continues to rant as he tries to step around me to shove Reece, but instead, I plant a hand flat on his chest and push him hard. He stumbles backward, falling flat on his ass.

  Enraged, he gets back to his feet and gets in my face. “This is all on you. Everythin’ was fine until you showed up,” he lays the blame at my feet, which I’m totally fine with as long as he leaves Reece alone.

  “Go back inside. There’s no need for this,” I say to Roberts.

  He takes another step closer to me then takes a swing. I move backward, right into Reece, missing his fist by an inch. Quickly, I reach behind me, to keep her from falling.

  “Get in the car, Reece,” I order, without looking to check whether she’s listening.

  Stupidly, Roberts tries to throw another punch at me, but I move slightly to the side, avoiding his fist, then sweep his feet from under him with a lock kick.

  He falls to his ass again.

  “Stay down,” I warn him, but the idiot doesn’t listen.

  He climbs to his feet and rage makes his face go red. “Fuckin’ bastard. I’m gonna kill you.”

  Tired of this shit, I move forward as Roberts pulls his arm back, and I slam a fist against his nose. He falls to his knees, covering his face with both his hands, and it’s only then two of his guards step forward to help him up.

  Hell, at least they learned their lesson from the last fight we had.

  “Get your fuckin’ hands off me,” Roberts snaps, shrugging their help away. Blood starts to drip on the ground, and when he notices, Roberts looks at me with shock. “You broke my nose!”

  Looking at the man, I have to wonder why Reece even shared a house with him, never mind getting engaged to the idiot.

  “Have a nice day,” I say, smiling, then walk around the car to the driver’s side.

  As I open the door, Roberts yells, “I’m not finished talkin’.”

  Ignoring him, I climb into the car and glance at Reece’s startled face before I start the engine and drive away.

  “Are you okay?” I ask her, and when she remains quiet, I glance over at her and notice she doesn’t have her safety belt on. Stopping the car on the side of the road. I reach over Reece for the belt and clip it in, while asking again, “Are you okay, Reece?”

  She starts to nod and then lifts her face to look at me with worry tightening her features. It places our faces inches apart, and there’s a moment we just stare at each other. A weird sense of awareness makes me notice the blue of her eyes and even the light dusting of freckles over her nose.

  Reece swallows and slowly lowers her eyes back to her lap, and whispers, “I’m fine.”

  Snapping out of whatever just happened between us, I glance down and notice the piece of paper is actually a photo. I pull it from her grasp and look at it. Seeing it’s a photo of Mrs. Nicolson in her hospital bed, I ask, “Why did he give you this?”

  “I think I’ve mentioned it before,” Reece answers, and I hear the apprehension in her voice. “I’ve been receivin’ photos like this one for the past couple of years.” She reaches over, and taking hold of the picture, she turns it around so I can see the threat written on the back.

  Fifty thousand.

  The park near Butler Road.

  10pm Friday.

  I frown and look at Reece. “Don’t tell me you’ve actually been makin’ the payments?”

  “Clay has.” She lets out a tired sigh. “I guess I’ll have to do it now.”

  “Reece,” I say a little too sharply. “You never meet a blackmailer’s demands! They’ll just keep coming.”

  She brings her worried gaze to my face. “But what if they hurt my mom?”

  “They won’t,” I say firmly.

  “You can’t guarantee that,” Reece argues and some color starts to return to her pale face.

  “I can.” The words are filled with confidence. “No one will get close to either of you as long as I’m around.”

  Unsure, she asks, “So I shouldn’t meet their demands?”

  “No, never. Money won’t solve this problem.” Knowing she needs to hear some kind of solution, I add, “I’ll look into it and find out who the blackmailer is. Let me take care of it.”

  There’s a flicker of relief in her eyes when she says, “Okay, but keep me up to date with what’s happenin’. I don’t want this blowin’ up in my face.”

  I take a good look at the front and back of the photo so Wyatt can see it clearly. I hope he gets the hint and starts looking into who the blackmailer could be.

  I settle back in my seat and drive in the direction of the hospital.

  The security company has finished installing the cameras and alarm system Reece wanted, which also gave me the perfect opportunity to plant my own cameras around the house.

  “Why couldn’t it have been this easy plantin’ the cameras at Clay’s place?” Wyatt mumbles before I hear him taking a crunchy bite of something.

  “Do you ever stop eatin’?” I scold him.

  “I’m stuck in a van and haven’t had sex for two weeks. Give me a break,” he retorts.

  “Seriously?” I shake my head. Walking through the new house and checking everything is in place, I add, “Really? We’re that close?”

  “Yeah, I feel we’ve bonded enough to at least consider best friends status between, which means I can complain about my non-existent sex life,” Wyatt says, sounding serious, which is rare.

  “Yeah, I’m gonna have to disagree with that
.”

  “Why?” he exclaims all shocked. “I’ve seen you take a leak. I think that qualifies me for the best buddy position.”

  I let out a chuckle, shaking my head. “That just makes you stupid. You always have the option to not look.”

  “Damn, you’re cold,” he feigns being hurt.

  “Got to go,” I say when I get close to Mrs. Nicolson’s room. We brought her home an hour ago. Reece showed her mom around the house, looking happier than I’ve ever seen her.

  Nurse Hensley also got settled into her room, and they’ve been discussing what exercises would be best for Mrs. Nicolson.

  I open the door and step inside to see if there’s anything else I can help with, just as Reece walks toward me from where she was standing by her mom’s bed with Nurse Hensley.

  “I’m gonna make lunch,” she says. “Will you read to Mom after she’s eaten?”

  “Sure. Can I help with the food?” I ask as I follow her out of the room. “There’s nothin’ else to do.”

  Reece smiles as if she just got an idea. “How good are you at grilling steaks?”

  I shrug, answering, “Pretty good.”

  “Yeah?” She glances at me, raising her eyebrow.

  Walking into the kitchen, I gather everything I’ll need. When we go to the store again, I’ll have to get a grill for outside.

  Reece is busy with the vegetables when she starts talking. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am that we’re all settled. I’m hoping with the new environment, and Nurse Hensley’s help, Mom will get stronger. I just want her to be able to talk normally and move around the house by herself.” She shakes her head, and adds, “I was so stupid stayin’ with Clay for as long as I did. Mom could’ve been better already, but I didn’t want to take her for walks at the risk of runnin’ into Clay throwin’ one of his tantrums, or a guard. That would’ve been upsettin’ for her.”

  I keep my attention focused on grilling the steaks, not interrupting Reece. The more she opens up to me, the better my chances are of getting whatever info she has on Roberts.