Pure Illusion (Web Of Deception #1)

by Michelle Watson

  What?

  Green frogs?

  Then it hits me like a brick to the face: Taylor is GreenFrog.

  “I have to use the restroom. Do you think you could come with me, Isabel?”

  Unable to reply, I nod and follow Taylor. She leads me out of the banquet room and through a maze of tight corners and hallways until we reach a big wooden door labeled with a golden plate in the center that reads STORAGE ROOM—EMPLOYEES ONLY.

  She takes some kind of cardkey from her silver rainbow clutch and swipes it in front of the scanner. The door immediately unlocks and she pushes on the latch. She opens the door and pauses to look at a bewildered me. “Well, are you coming?”

  I inhale deeply, following Taylor into the dark room. She closes the door and it locks automatically. She yanks a chain, a single bulb dangling above flickers to life. Boxes with equipment poking out sit atop shelves and housekeeping supplies surround us. “What’s going on? How did you get that key?”

  “My grandpa works here. It’s his name badge; since his profession is housekeeping it unlocks all the doors. Isabel, I need you to focus on what I’m saying. I am Green Frog. I have some very important information. Your mom…your mom is my aunt. She has a sister, Lily Stewart. Lily Stewart is my mother—“

  Every wisp of oxygen leaves my lungs. “What? Where is she? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I couldn’t just come out and tell you—” she lowers her voice “—people are watching. They’re watching all the time.”

  “Where is she? Can I talk to her?”

  “You can’t.”

  My brows furrow. “What? Why not?”

  “She’s missing, Isabel.”

  “What?!”

  “It’s a long story, but I’m going to find her. I’m really close to finding her.” She digs in her glittery clutch. “Here, I have a picture of her, though.” She hands me a laminated photo, but it’s a photo that I’ve already seen: a picture of my mom happily sitting on Caleb’s lap.

  “I don’t understand. This is my mom.”

  “No, that’s my mom—your mom’s twin sister.”

  The room violently spins and my legs give way. Before I collapse, Taylor catches me. “Oh my God, Isabel. Are you okay? You look sick.”

  I shut my eyes, my heartbeat is thundering in my throat.

  I have an aunt, who is my mother’s twin sister.

  I have a little sister, who is also Tyler’s twin sister.

  She lowers me to the cool tile floor. “Stay here. I’m going to get help.” The door unlocks and she’s gone.

  Taylor returns with Hunter. I close my eyes after one glance at him. Their voices sound so far away. I can’t distinguish them clearly.

  “…she left two letters. I don’t think Isabel is strong enough to read them.”

  “Give them to me. I’ll give them to her when she’s ready.”

  There’s brief ruffling sound. “Rex told me that Max has the tape. What are you going to do?”

  “Let her make the decision.”

  “I think you should take her home with you. She doesn’t look so good.”

  “Where are you going?”

  A phone buzzes. “It’s Rex. We’re leaving town. I had enough of Cherry Creek for a lifetime. I’m searching for my mother. I have clues and I’m going to follow them. Rex wants to help…He’s afraid of him.”

  “Okay…Right. Leave as soon as you can.”

  “Keep her safe, Hunter. She’s the only family I have now; she’s all I have left.”

  “I got her, Taylor. She’s gonna be fine.”

  “I just don’t want to leave her here like this. It doesn’t feel right.”

  “Go, Taylor. You don’t have a choice.”

  Small cold fingers bunch my mine together. “Isabel, stay strong. Breathe, even when you feel like it’s impossible. We will see each other again.” With a quick kiss on the cheek, I hear the soft click of her heels fade.

  “Isabel, I’m getting you out of here.” Hunter picks me up, cradling me to his chest once more like a wounded pet. It was like this in the beginning—him saving me.

  Will there ever be a time where Hunter Knight wouldn’t be my rescuer?

  After a while I feel the cool winter breeze on the skin of my clammy face. It’s very cold but it feels so pleasant.

  “Put me down.” It comes out so low, it’s a miracle he even hears me.

  “No.”

  “PUT ME DOWN!”

  I’m not prepared to be slammed on my feet so I wobble a little. Hunter tries to balance me but I refuse, leaning my back against the frosty door of his truck. I gaze at him, but he stares beyond me, at the hotel. “We have to get out of here, Isabel.”

  “Max has the tape.”

  He squints, eyes still focused somewhere at a point behind my head. “Yeah, we have to leave. Now.”

  “No.”

  His darkening gaze drifts to down to mine, the shimmering white twinkle-lights dancing across his face. “No?”

  “Yes. No. I’m not going anywhere until I see that tape.”

  “Look—” he clenches his jaw “—we are leaving right now, even if I have to drag you by your fucking hair.”

  “I’ll scream,” I warn quietly.

  Eyes on mine, he moves extremely close, so close that his warm breath fans across my lips and cheeks, making me dizzier. “I don’t care. I’m fast.”

  “Why are you doing this, Hunter? Max has the tape. Why can’t I just see it?”

  “Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.” He opens the passenger door and then grasps my upper arm, harshly urging me inside the cab of his truck.

  I narrow my eyes, scrutinizing his impassive expression. “Why can’t I see the tape, Hunter? What’s on the video?” He gives my arm sharp yank. “Ow. You’re hurting me, Hunter. Stop!” I’m helpless from stopping the current of tears that flow down my face.

  He gives me a sharp jerk and I yank away. Pain from the tugging radiates all over. “FUCKKKK! Why are you making this so fucking difficult?! Just get inside the fucking truck, Isabel! I’m losing my fucking mind here!” The fierceness of his booming voice awakens a deep fear inside of me that I’ve never known. For the first time in my life, I’m really petrified of Hunter Knight.

  Is there no end to his cruelty?

  “HELP ME! HE’S HURTING ME! HELP ME! PLEASE! MAX! MAX!” I don’t recognize the high-pitched screeching voice.

  That girl sounds terrified.

  That girl sounds traumatized.

  That girl is me.

  A gang of men happen to be in the parking lot. They all pounce on a disorientated Hunter, who stares at me as if I somehow betrayed him, as if I destroyed something sacred between us. He doesn’t even bother to fight as they wrestle him to the ground.

  “…Miss, are you injured? Do I need to call the police?”

  Before I can respond, Max steps beside me, wrapping a supportive arm around my back. “No. I’ve got it. Thank you.” Max gives me a sympathetic look.

  I continue to stare at a defenseless Hunter Knight that lies face down on the wet pavement. Hunter’s hands are wrenched behind his back and his face is smashed to the ground, his cheek scrapping the asphalt. “It’s an illusion, Isabel. Everything is an illusion.”

  “Illusion: a false mental image produced by misinterpretation of things that actually exist. I don’t think I’m misinterpreting anything, Hunter. I see everything.”

  “That’s it: you don’t think much. You don’t see much. Blinded first by the beauty that killed her. Invisible. Someday you’ll fall in love with me.” I’m struck with a brutal ache that spreads like fire in my chest. Those words sound familiar. But how would I know them? “I need you to see with your heart, Isabel. What does your heart tell you?”

  I swallow past the tears, past the pain, past the love, past reason. “That I love you enough to finally let you go. Goodbye, Hunter Knight.” I turn sharply, moving in the direction of Max’s SUV. I understand the deep look
of betrayal and devastation in his eyes now. It’s there because I fully and completely let him go when I vowed to keep him in my heart forever. That look will no doubt haunt me until the end of my days.

  It looks like Hunter Knight isn’t the only one who can break promises.

  Chapter forty-eight

  Conclusion

  “Why am I doing this again?” I ask Max, scrolling down a website on Tyler’s laptop. We both sit on his comfortable rug on his living room floor, still in our formal attire.

  “You need to be informed about Hunter. Maybe you’ll see what everyone else sees.” He peers at the screen over my shoulder. Max wanted me to Google traits of a sociopath. “Now read them.” I begin silently reading in my head. “Uh-uh. Out loud, Isabel. Read them out loud.”

  I grit my teeth. It’s like I’m being chastised and reprimanded or something that isn’t entirely my fault. “Will you show me the tape after?”

  “Yes. Now read.”

  Sighing, I tap down on the mouse. “Manipulative and conning.”

  “They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering. Check one. Next.”

  “Shallow emotions.”

  “When they show what seems to be warmth, love, and compassion it’s more feigned than experienced and serves as an ulterior motive. Check two. Next.”

  “Need for stimulation.”

  “Verbal outburst and physical punishments.” He gives his head a slight shake with mock amusement. “Didn’t he spank you and assault you on more than one occasion? Check three. Next.”

  I force myself to swallow. “Poor behavioral and impulsive nature.”

  “Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused. No sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. How many times has he made you feel that way? Check four. Next.”

  My hands are trembling. I try to hide them in my lap. “Lack of remorse, shame, and guilt.”

  “They do not see others as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end result is always justified that means they let nothing stand in their way—”

  “Enough Max. Please. Enough.” I slam the laptop shut and recline my back towards the couch. A severe sweat breaks across my skin, my chest is heaving, and my heart is pounding in my ears.

  “Oh, but wait…this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s the pathological lying, superficial charm—”

  “Max, stop. I get it.”

  He stands and drops in an elegant crouch in front of me, assessing eyes gauging my reaction. “But you still love him, though.”

  My brows furrow, expression bewildered. “I can’t stop loving him, Max. Is that what you’re asking me to do?” Because that’s impossible.

  He looks guilty but it’s only briefly; Max’s anger rages on. “You want to see the video? Okay. Fine.” Max stands and yanks a remote from the coffee table. He presses a button, powering on the massive flat screen. A plain blue screen comes to life. He presses another button, but the image is so dark that I have to squint to see it clearly. There, on The Suicide Bridge, I make out two figures in black coats that are standing in the never-ending rain. As the video begins to play, I realize that it’s Tyler and he is talking to…No. I scoot up until my nose is practically shoved against the TV screen. There’s no mistaking it. The person he’s talking to is Hunter. Hunter appears to be yelling at him. Tyler takes a few cautious steps back, afraid of Hunter. Hunter then grips him by the labels of his raincoat, yanking him off the ground.

  I screw my eyes shut and sniff, attempting to stifle the swelling of a hysterical wail, but it’s useless. I burst into sobs.

  “Checkmate.” Max flicks off the TV and squats, scooping me up from the floor. He takes me into his bedroom and lays me on the bed. Max lovingly strokes my hair. I cling onto him with everything I have.

  Hunter did it.

  Hunter killed my brother.

  God, how was I so blind?

  “I knew this was going to be hard for you.” He kisses my tear-stained cheek and stretches his arm out, grabbing something from his stand. “Here, this will help you get through tonight.” She pushes an open bottle of vodka to my lips. I drink the scorching liquid through woeful sobs and hiccups. It doesn’t take me long to drain half the bottle.

  “Why did he do it? I loved him so much. This can’t be happening.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry. He’s just really sick, Pumpkin. I found that tape well-hidden in my father’s safe at home. I think my dad was protecting Grace. I have to make a few calls. We have to catch him before he does something else drastic and dangerous.”

  “Why would he be protecting Grace?”

  “My dad has been in love with Grace since before I was born. They were really close once. It was years ago though. Something huge happened between them. They don’t talk much at all now.”

  “What’s going to happen now?”

  “I’m going to hand over the tape to Chief. He’s going to take it from there. My dad will disown me, but I don’t care.”

  Max is my prince.

  He’s betraying his own father for me.

  He chooses me.

  “Why are you doing this, Max?”

  He shrugs. “I thought the alcohol could help knock you out for a bit. You’re going to need your rest.”

  “No, not the vodka. Why are you choosing me? Am I really worth what you’re risking?”

  His eyes narrow and his head jerks. Max inclines very close, gazing into my tear-brimmed eyes. My brows snap together because what I see in their depths has me mystified and horrified all at once. We breathe in each other’s air for what seems like an endless moment suspended in time. He gingerly smoothes out the deep wrinkles between my brows and presses his index finger into the soft spot there. “He really messed you up inside of here. Isabel, you’re worth every damn risk in the world. Furthermore, love is the biggest factor here.”

  “You love me?” I sniff.

  He gives me mournful smile, wiping the snot from my nose with the edge of his dress shirt. “It’s kind of difficult not to love you. I’ve loved you for a very long, long time now.”

  “Max,” I breathe. A bunch of tulle, lace, and stain from my gown moves with me as I snuggle closer into Max, leaning completely into him. I’m so close to him right now. If I shift just a tiny bit, I can actually kiss him.

  Glistening eyes stare back at me. “Pumpkin,” he caresses the side of my face, “you don’t have to do anything but breathe. You owe me nothing. I didn’t do this to gain your affection. We can let things take their natural course, if you think there is even a course to be taken.”

  “Kiss me, Max.”

  His burning gaze drops to my lips, he swallows nervously. “I don’t think we—”

  I smash my mouth against his, running my tongue at the seam of his lips. He moans, and my tongue dips inside his sweet mouth. I drank him in. It’s like a having a refreshing glass of chilled lemonade after a long, tiring day. Max rejuvenates my heart that has been obliterated so many times. My hands are frantic as they fumble and tug on his belt buckle, desperately trying to undo it. I don’t fully understand why sex means so much to me, why it’s essential to my romantic love life.

  I just need him inside of me.

  He wedges himself between my legs, planting gentle but ravenous kisses down the side of my neck. He kisses me right behind my ear and I shudder. “Max, please.” When he attempts to undress, I stop him. “Leave it on. I can’t wait that long.”

  Something in him awakens. Max stares at, his chest heaving and breathing labored. He shuts his eyes as if pained and our foreheads meet. He slides his nose down mine and kisses the corners of my mouth, sending tingles and heat everywhere throughout my body. “We don’t have to do this. You’re really wasted right now. I do
n’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage of you in the most vulnerable moment of your life.”

  Do good guys like Max Gabai really exist?

  I guess my answer is looking me in the face.

  He kisses me on the cheek like something cherished, like something that means the world to him, as if I just might break if not handled with care. The familiar wail is building in my chest again. “Stop treating me like I’m precious, Max. I am not.”

  He smoothes wisps of hair from my sweaty face. “But you are, Isabel.” His lips lightly brush against mine. Through the tears, I inhale sharply. His supple lips move delicately over mine as he talks, looking intently into my eyes. “You’re so incredibly precious to me. So unbelievably precious. You are loved. You are treasured. You are cherished. I can see treating you like this makes you uncomfortable, but I have to warn you that your uneasiness will only peak from this point onward, because I’m going to break down every barrier and I’m going to remind you every chance I get that you’re worth more than my weight in gold.”

  My heart hurts.

  We gaze at each other.

  A second later, I burst into more tears until I black out.

  Chapter forty-nine

  The Truth

  I’m splashed with a bucket of ice-cold water. Chilly droplets leak from my hair and cling to my lashes. My eyes slowly flutter open.

  What?

  Where am I?

  Dark lilac eyes stare at me through steel bars. My body is hunched forward and cramped. I try to shake the wooziness away and focus on my blurry vision, but the thick cloud of unconsciousness blankets my brain and threatens to pull me back under.

  I nod back off.

  “Gamila, wake up.” A soft voice urges me from unrelenting slumber. “Wake up, Gamila. You’re not finished yet.”

  I fight hard against the sleep. The water soaks through my gown, now I’m chilled to the bone. I blink a few times, glancing around, confused.

  “Why am I in a cage?”

  The violet eyes sparkle at me. “This isn’t just any cage, Gamila. It’s the same cage that your beloved Hunter suffered in. Isn’t that right, Hunter?”