Endless Lies (Lies #6) - Ella Miles Page 0,25

children isn’t safe.

“Pen,” I demand.

He picks up a pen and slides it to me. His eyes narrow slightly as I take the pen.

I have no time to waste. Every second I stall is a second closer to death.

I sign all three quickly, somehow managing to not let my hand shake. Then I shove the papers hard across the table.

“Your move,” I say.

My father’s eyes widen. Instead of puffing on his cigar, he puts it out. He sits straighter in his chair. For the first time, he seems proud of me. Of course, a man who gave up his only daughter would think me signing away my children makes me strong.

He moves faster this time.

I move.

He moves.

Again, I’m forced to take another piece. He sees it, I see it. Actually, I see a way I can win, but I’m going to have to take two pieces and sacrifice another to do it.

I can tell by the gleam in his eye that he sees my path to victory too. He won’t let me win this game easily. He still may not let me win at all. And surviving three more challenges is not a given.

Three.

More.

And then Declan is mine.

Then I can fight back.

Then I can find the perfect time to kill my father.

I gather all my strength as I take his rook.

His eyes shine brighter, prouder.

“The next challenge is simple. Prove that you don’t love Langston. Prove that your heart is open to being with another man.”

I frown, guessing where he’s going with this, and it makes my already uneasy stomach twist on itself.

“You want me to fuck someone who isn’t Langston?”

My father laughs in my face. “Why would I want you to do something that could just result in you having more bastards? You have plenty of those already.”

I frown. “Don’t talk about my children that way.”

“Except they aren’t your children anymore. They aren’t your anything.”

His words don’t have the effect he intended them to. Instead, I smile at him like I have a secret he will never know. I’ve already won. Keeping my kids safe is all that matters, not my legal parental rights.

“You’re going to have to be more explicit with what you want from me.”

“People forgive their spouses fucking another all the time. Fucking a man won’t prove that you stopped loving Langston. Kissing another man. Letting him touch you in an intimate way while his lips are pressed against yours. That is much harder to forgive.”

Why is he talking about forgiveness?

“Who will I be kissing?”

My father looks to my left. Corbin.

I look at him, and he has a pained expression on his face. I’ve sucked his cock. We’ve threatened to kill each other. And yet, kissing him does seem harder than fucking him. I don’t understand why, but somehow my father has realized this truth.

I don’t have a choice, and neither does Corbin. He has to kiss me. I have to let him. And I have to prove that I’m enjoying the kiss, giving part of myself over while Corbin’s lips are pressed against mine. I have to open my heart during the kiss and encourage Corbin’s hands to wander over my body like I’m his.

I stand, deciding that I need it for courage. Standing will make me more lightheaded and more likely to lean on Corbin, making it seem like I’m falling just a bit for him.

Corbin stands wordlessly next to me. I know he’s in this just as much as I am. He’s just as willing to do whatever it takes to win, same as me.

I don’t let myself think.

I don’t let my father win.

I lean in and let my lips brush against Corbin’s while I open my heart and let it bleed.

13

Langston

My arms are tied behind my back, as are Maxwell’s behind me.

We’ve been led into a small, dark room. I assume it’s our prison until they decide they have a need for us, but I sense Liesel is close. If she’s here, Maxwell and I will escape. We’ll find her; we have to.

I’m sure the men who led us into this room think keeping the lights off will dull my senses, and I’ll be less of a threat. They don’t know I thrive in the darkness. I can see better here than in the light.

I’m not sure about Maxwell, so I can’t signal to him the moment we should fight back. I’m sure he’ll catch on, though. If not, I have no problem taking down the six guards in the small room with