Tangled IN LIES (Book#3, IN YOU)

by Cassandra Night

  “Hey, the water’s boiling. Do you want to put dumplings in?” I ask Leon, who saunters into the kitchen full of inner conflict.

  “Mommy?”

  I clean my hands with a towel and give him my full attention.

  “Did you love my dad?”

  I still, confused. “Of course. Why are you asking?”

  “My friend”—he pauses, flopping onto the chair—“told me I’m a bastard. He heard his parents talking. They said my dad didn’t love us.”

  I blink at him, my throat stinging from anger and disbelief.

  Why are people doing this?

  “Do you know what that means?”

  He shakes his raven head, wringing his hands as he waits for me to explain. Putting the dumplings in boiling water, I set the timer and sit to talk with him. My kids are bright beyond their age, so even an innocent lie would make them mistrust me.

  “It refers to the children born to unmarried parents.”

  “But you and Dad got married, right?” Liane presses her body to my side, and my arms drape around her.

  “Yes, after you were born, we did.” I grab Leon and pull him to me. “You’re very loved and precious to me. Never doubt that, okay? People will say things just to be mean to you. But know this, your dad adored you. He was so happy when you were born.”

  I met Logan at the meeting in Liverpool. Logan Cade was a formidable man who was used to getting what he wanted, and I was a woman hiding my past and pain from everyone, including myself. At first, I didn’t like him. He made me feel uncomfortable, demanding things, burning with an array of emotions, threatening my restraints. But I was starving for connection, and he was undeniable, demanding, and passionate. I gave in. That one night of passion changed the course of our lives.

  He pushed me away when I told him I was pregnant, and then came back, demanding to be part of their lives. I didn’t trust him; he was a threat. Logan could have taken my kids from me. And I wouldn’t have survived another loss.

  I was suffering from anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. But Logan Cade did nothing halfway. He wanted me even if he knew I was grieving, my fears choking me. He didn’t care I was broken, suffering from traumatic loss, barely breathing. Logan tried to help me to cope with the pain and heal. Behind that arrogant mask, he was an amazing man, patient, intelligent, caring. I loved him so much.

  Shaking off my thoughts, I swallow my regrets. Instead, I talk about what my twins heard at school from their classmates. Clearly, their parents speak about me, and not in the kindest way. I try to protect them, but people are cruel, judgmental. They absorb information from social media, tabloids, and use it as a weapon to hurt us.

  That’s why I can’t get involved with anyone. I can’t afford another scandal hurting my kids or another fight with their grandparents, trying to protect their reputation.

  After dinner, I take my kids upstairs to the bathroom.

  “Do you think aliens are real?” Leon asks me as he passes me his favorite magazine about space.

  But before I can answer, my jeans pocket starts to vibrate. I pull out my phone and answer, pressing the device between my shoulders while squeezing toothpaste on their toothbrushes.

  “Hey, how're the kids?” Leif, Logan’s triplet and my best friend, yawns into the speaker, clearly tired. Little Maya is a demanding little thing, as is his wife. They got very close after Logan died and a year later announced their engagement and shortly married.

  “They’re upset. Getting ready for bed.”

  “What happened?” he growls as I watch them brush their teeth. I walk out of the bathroom to answer.

  “Someone told Leon he’s a bastard. I had to explain what that means.” I dig my fingers in my eye sockets to relieve pressure. “I can’t believe how heartless people can be. How long’s this backstabbing going to last? I thought the gossip mill dwindled down.”

  “Yeah, we all did. Want me to handle it?”

  “Nah, I already emailed the head teacher to speak with the parents and their kids. Where’s Aisha?” I press my back into the wall.

  “Took little Maya to sleep.” He yawns again. “That asshole boss kept her late. Honestly, I don’t like her working there.” Leif growls because when he visited her at work, he wasn’t impressed with my sister’s boss’ attitude. He almost beat him up. But my sister managed to avoid bloodshed and kicked my brother-in-law's ass back home.

  “When I come back home, you better keep that possessive attitude burning bright because I’ll ride it till next morning.” She’d kissed him on the mouth in front of her colleagues and sent him on his way out.

  At least, this is what Leif told me.

  Aisha was always a vicious one. It was a no-brainer they both fell for each other. Long straight blonde hair and blue eyes, pouty lips, and a body like a model’s have always attracted her a lot of attention. The ones who underestimated her got to regret it. Leif wasn’t the one. That’s why my sister married the man.

  “He isn’t stupid, and that’s why I love him,” she once told me.

  I wish to have a fraction of her courage to go after the things I want.

  Aisha was the one who insisted on thinking about a career change.

  “They’re destroying your already wrecked soul with these political games. You need to find something outside this family that adds to your value. Or they’ll destroy you if you stay.” My sister didn’t tell me anything new. I was aware of it all.

  That’s why I started to study marketing and publishing in secret. I needed to build my own livelihood. I made a plan how to escape from their hold and cunning ability to control my every move. I was slowly losing my identity, becoming someone I didn’t recognize.

  “Well, you know your wife. Aisha won’t quit her job, just because you hate her boss. Better get used to it.”

  “Or, I could kill the bastard and be done with it,” he jokes. “That job stresses her out and puts a strain on our relationship.”

  “What job doesn’t?”

  But Leif keeps talking like he didn’t even hear me.

  “I have millions sitting in my bank account. My wife shouldn’t be working.”

  “Mommy, I’m done!” Leon hollers from the bathroom.

  “Okay, I got to go. Take care, my friend. And be careful. Aisha hates being told what to do. She might set your Harley on fire if you demand her to quit.”

  “Yeah, I know. Kiss your twins’ goodnight from me. Let me know if you need help to deal with the situation at school.”

  “Will do. Goodnight.” After I disconnect the call, I take my kids to bed. Feeling emotionally drained, I go to settle for the night.

  The alarm clock blares in the room, splitting my head in two. I grab a glass of water to wash down painkillers and jump into a shower. I’m exhausted. My thoughts about Mark, my in-laws, and my past kept me awake all night.

  I rush around, trying to get my kids ready as my au pair joins me. May is my savior. I don’t know if I would be able to handle life without her help. I smile, content as they chatter about school while we dress them up. Leon grew up so much during the summer and has left his twin sister behind. She looks so small compared to him, just like me at that age.

  After we’re done, I sip my coffee, trying to forget a man who makes my heart miss a beat. I’m determined to keep this job and this attraction from flourishing.

  After breakfast, we collect our things and leave the house to get the kids to school. And then my driver takes me to Fading Ink. It was the only thing I couldn’t boycott when Darren insisted me having one.

  At first, I thought because of PTSD they’re concerned it wouldn’t be safe for me to drive on my own, but now I start doubting it. I swear he looks more like a well-trained bodyguard, always wearing black and is watchful like someone might jump us. Since I’m not the one to pay his wage for babysitting us, I decided to let it go.

  When the car stops, he confirms, “I’ll be waiting here at the end of your day. Let me know if you have a ch
ange of plans, miss.”

  Casting my gaze to the mirror, I nod at him and open the door to leave.

  Warm breeze hits my face, and I smile, enjoying the sunny morning. I saunter toward the Fading Ink entrance, excited to show my ideas to Peter and his marketing team. I hope Mark will ignore what happened yesterday, and it will fade like a bad dream.

  But my wish evaporates as I step into the elevator.

  “Can you imagine spending a night locked up with the sexy CEO? The things he could do to a woman’s body . . .”

  I freeze, tuning in to the conversation happening behind my back.

  “Who was it?” one of them asks, oblivious that they’re talking about Mark and me.

  “No idea, but I would love to get stuck in the elevator with either of them. Those men know how to please a woman.” They giggle as I exhale a relieved breath.

  Wow, the gossip spreads fast as a wildfire here. I should be more cautious. It could ruin my career way too easy.

  “Good morning.” Denise motions for me to come closer to her desk. Her eyes sparkle. Once I approach, she unleashes the gossip mill on me.

  “Yesterday, someone got stuck in the elevator during the power shortage. I think it was Robert.” She bites her lip. “He always works late and sometimes sleeps here. The guy who was testing the system told me he was with a woman. And that they both looked like they enjoyed their time together far too much.”

  My lips press into a line as she wiggles her eyebrows at me.

  Does she know it was me and that’s why she’s telling me this?

  It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.

  “Good morning.” Robert’s cheerful voice sounds behind me, saving me from responding.

  Strolling toward us with a folder in hand, he looks in a great mood today.

  “Ready to kick ass?”

  I nod, smiling as Denise starts chatting about work and his schedule, so I slip away.

  Once in my small office, I log onto the system and start sorting through the emails. While I still have time, before Robert calls a morning meeting, I send a few attachments to the marketing department, hoping Peter will be impressed with the few ideas I generated yesterday. I want to work with him and move to the department responsible for marketing the products. This way, it might be much safer for my sanity.

  “Cassandra, we’re waiting for you.” Robert’s voice filters through the intercom. “I got your favorite coffee and bagels,” he coaxes me.

  “Is it cappuccino?”

  “Yep, hurry up.”

  “One minute,” I respond. “I need to print something first.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot, we’re at Mark’s office,” he curtly utters and goes silent.

  Dammit, I thought I could avoid him. Since I haven’t seen him much for the past two weeks except yesterday, I hoped this might be the case again. So, after I print my pitch for the new client’s book, I walk into his office. Peter jumps to his feet.

  “Jesus, are they letting you out enough into the sunlight? You look pale. We need to get you out in the fresh air more.”

  “Unfortunately, Peter, the sun won’t help me with my complexion.”

  “Oh, well, we could always fake tan. It works for me.” He winks and comes to kiss me on the cheek. I learned he’s affectionate with people he likes.

  “Good morning, Robert, Mark.” I catch Mark staring at me as I take a seat next to Peter. He passes me my second cup of coffee. “This is heaven,” I breathe out, taking a sip and then placing it on the coffee table.

  “Peter, where are we with our campaigns?” Mark begins as I pull out my iPad from under my armpit and start making notes. He and Robert will probably want to have progress reports at their fingertips.

  After they discuss numerous projects and mull over the marketing strategies, they start talking about Middle East clients.

  “We had another debacle at Medina.”

  “What happened?” I ask while emailing the minutes to Peter’s assistant.

  “The venue was flooded. The leak destroyed all the materials. We had to cancel catering and musicians for the opening,” Mark explains as he passes me his phone to show the photos.

  “Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time. In the last two months, we had another one. The truck was hijacked and stolen on the way to another location. Our clients aren’t happy, and to be honest, neither are we.” Robert rubs his face. “It’s inevitable we need to send someone to deal with this.”

  “Have you called them, asked what’s going on?”

  He nods somberly. “They want to quit working with us.”

  “Why?” Perhaps this isn’t random, and they fear to suffer more losses. I understand the clients’ frustration and disappointment, though. If these situations persist, we might lose credibility, and it won’t be good for business.

  “We don’t know. I’ll be traveling there to investigate the situation for myself and try to appease our clients. Maybe organize an event to compensate for their trouble. And I need you to come with me and help with the launch of new bookshops.”

  The air in my chest freezes as I watch Mark stupefied.

  His demeanor is serious, professional, but I’m way too aware what happened yesterday might have given him the wrong impression of me. I can’t let it happen. And us being alone isn’t going to solve this.

  “You’re hesitating,” he grouses. “Is it your family? I can ask Peter to travel with me or anyone he can spare me, but I thought you might want to see how things work.”

  “Oh, I would love to, but I can’t,” Peter pipes in, watching me amused. “You know I have a lot on my hands right now.”

  Dammit, I’m the only logical choice. If I refuse, it’ll make me look unprofessional. If Mark has no problem dismissing our little endeavor, so can I.

  “You’re right, it’s a great opportunity. Where are we traveling exactly?” Not ready to commit yet, I probe.

  “We land in Zalim, and then drive to Medina. We should meet Aaron Moudi and take things from there.”

  “And here’s your chance to work on that pale skin of yours.” Peter elbows me as Robert sniggers at him.

  He was oddly silent during this meeting, and I wonder why.

  “How long?” I turn to Mark.

  “Five days. We’ll be back by Sunday.”

  “All right then, I guess I should get ready and pack. When do we leave?”

  “Tomorrow, early morning.” He dials Denise. “Please book our flights to Zalim and accommodations at Medina.” After he confirms the details, he disconnects. “If you could provide her with your passport information, she’ll be able to verify the flight.”

  “Sure. Is that all?”

  Mark looks up from his phone.

  “I want to call my family and speak with my au pair about me leaving.”

  “Go ahead.”

  I turn around to leave.

  “Cassandra.”

  I stop upon hearing my name.

  “Peter showed me your ideas for the Hidden in Shadows series. They look very promising. You should try to develop them.”

  “Really?” I look at Peter, barely able to contain my joy.

  “Oh, yes, girl, we loved the concept. It might work pretty well.” Peter’s voice is almost exuberant.

  “This is great.” I bite my lip to curb my reaction.

  “If you need any help with it, shoot my team an email.”

  “Will do. Thank you for the chance, guys.”

  I leave them to call my family. Even if my au pair is excellent with my twins and I trust her, I want Leif to check on them from time to time. I tried to keep my employment secret as long as possible, but it seems I’ll have to tell him earlier than I wanted to. I shoot him a message, briefly explaining the trip I have to take for work, and hope he’ll call me back when he can.

  After speaking with May and asking her to pack my luggage for the trip, I had to sort out my trip details with Denise. It’ll be interesting to see Mark in his element
and learn from him. He’s very shrewd, business-minded as if he’s thinking a few steps ahead than everyone else. I wonder how he’ll handle this situation. Let’s hope he has only one purpose, and I’m not the end goal.

  I jerk in my seat when someone knocks on the other side of the door. “Come in.”

  Mark strolls into my office and closes the door behind him. He takes a seat and locks his penetrating gaze on me. His musky cologne drifts to my nose as I wait for him to talk.

  “How was your beauty sleep?” I ask when he remains silent, nervous about our conduct even if I saw him in the meeting.

  He is, after all, my boss, and it wasn’t wise to push his buttons last night. But I wasn’t able to stop. Something about him brings out this passionate side of me I can easily hide from others.

  His upper lip curls in a smirk and his eyes sparkle like whiskey ignited from within.

  “Invigorating,” he retorts and my breathing stills, waiting for him to explain why he’s here.

  “People are talking about us. Is this why you’re here? To make sure our stories match? I won’t tell anyone what really happened,” I snap, annoyed he might think I’m a brainless wit.

  “And what really happened, Cassandra?” His tone is a low growl as if I answer wrong, he’ll pounce on me. I dig my hand in my seat to find my balance that his domineering presence is stripping me of so fast.

  “You gave me a foot rub and made sure I know my place before sending me on my farewell. Did I miss anything?” I tell him with a bitter bite.

  Mark rises from the chair to his full height, locking his intense gaze on me. His tall, muscular frame stretches the material of the baby blue shirt he’s wearing as he towers over me, like a mountain of power ready to erupt. I rise from my seat, meeting his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him.

  “I also warned you, Mrs. Cade.” His husky tone is quiet and controlled. “Have you forgotten already?”

  Something hot and exciting burns inside my belly, tempting me to bait the man behind the controlled façade who keeps people at arm’s length. But instead, I curb that instinct, knowing that one wrong move and I’ll lose more than my job.

  “Of course I remember. Mark, what happened yesterday won’t happen again. I shouldn’t have asked those questions. It was inappropriate. Your personal life isn’t my business.”