Twisted Lies (Twisted, #4)

by Ana Huang

“Having feelings is nothing to be ashamed of.” A tiny smile cracked the ice in Alex’s expression. “You’ll get used to it.”

Josh’s smile disappeared. “What do you mean, you’ve beaten Alex in chess? When did you play chess together?” He whipped his head toward Alex. “You’ve been playing chess with someone else?”

If there was one thing I despised, besides incompetence and Valentine’s Day, it was people digging into my personal business.

Alex making a joke? Rhys giving up his privacy for a lifetime of paparazzi and ribbon cuttings? It was nauseating.

I didn’t love her, but I wanted her with an intensity that left the flimsy, overused concept of love in the dust.

Eventually, I would catch her, and once I did, I was never letting her go.

A strange emotion welled in my throat, so unfamiliar it took me a minute to identify it: pride.

Yes, guests were expected to share their accomplishments at an Alonso family dinner. How else would my family judge whether they were worthy of another invite?

More lies. I could make a killing as a car salesperson if my clothing line didn’t pan out.

“They were looking forward to meeting your boyfriend.” More like they were looking forward to grilling him.

Thou shalt not kill…unless your fake boyfriend was trying to crash a dinner with your overbearing family.

“Maura is family. She was more of a mother to me than you ever were!” The words burst forth before I could stop them.

The little girl in me still cringed at the thought of making my parents mad, but anything less than full honesty would only be a temporary salve for a festering wound.

“I suggest you don’t finish that sentence.” Christian’s quiet voice sliced through the toxic fumes of my father’s anger like they didn’t exist.

If my father’s fury was a gathering storm, Christian’s was a dark, silent tsunami. By the time those in its path scented danger, it was too late.

“Are you threatening me in my own home?” A steel edge ran beneath Jarvis Alonso’s voice. “Not threatening, sir. Suggesting.”

I could deal with her parents getting angry, even though they’d been pissing me off all evening. But what I would not tolerate was anyone, even Stella’s flesh and blood, guilt-tripping her into giving an apology they didn’t deserve.

Instead of being proud of her drive and passion, you force her into a box she doesn’t belong in. Stella is one of the most selfless, creative, and brilliant people I know, yet you belittle her for not conforming to your limited definitions of success. Why? Because you’re embarrassed to have a child who dared stray from the rigid path you yourself took? Your pride matters more to you than her happiness, yet you’re surprised that she considers the only adult who was there for her growing up to be more of a parent than either of you were.”

How many of Stella’s insecurities had stemmed from growing up in such a judgmental household? Most of them, I’d bet.

Few things amused me more than people trying to threaten me.

😌😌😌

he’s been nothing but helpful since we met. He encouraged me to follow my dreams and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He’s been more supportive of me in the few months I’ve known him than you’ve been of me my entire life, and I won’t let you insult him for standing up for me.”

No one had defended me before. Ever.

I wished, for the first time in my life, that I was the man she thought I was.

“You didn’t have to defend me.” “I wanted to.”

“You put too much faith in people. I’m not the knight you think I am,” I said softly. It was a warning as much as it was a compliment.

One only had to turn on the news to witness the depths of depravity to which humanity could and would sink.

She wasn’t the only light of optimism around me, but she was the only one that mattered.

I’m pretty sure nothing I do will be good enough for my family, so why even try? I might as well tell them the truth about how I feel. I should’ve done it a long time ago.

Better yet, he makes me feel like I can be who I am.

You should take more vacations, or at least connect with nature every once in a while. It’s good for the soul.” “It’s too late for my soul, Stella.”

I didn’t come from a bad family. They were judgmental and had high expectations, but they weren’t physically abusive. They’d paid for my college education in full, and I grew up in a nice house with nice clothes and nice vacations. Compared to a majority of people, I lived an incredibly privileged life.

“You can’t measure your success based on someone else’s progress. And I’ve met your family. Trust me, it’s better that you don’t fit in.”

“It wasn’t just my parents. Look at the world around us. People kill, steal, and lie in the name of this abstract emotion we’re told is supposed to be our ultimate goal. Love conquers all. Love heals all. Et cetera, et cetera.” The curl of his lip told me how much respect he had for such platitudes. “Alex gave up a multibillion-dollar company. Bridget almost lost a country. And Rhys gave up his privacy, which mattered more to him than any amount of cash. It’s completely illogical.”

“And do you think that will happen?” His low drawl condensed the air between us. “That I’ll fall in love and eat my words?” I shrugged, the casual movement at odds with the rapid beats of my heart. “Maybe. I’m not a fortune-teller.”

I gently pried her empty mug from her hand and set it on the table before I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. She was in such deep slumber she didn’t even stir.

It was almost embarrassing how easy it was. The man’s password was his first car’s model and his birthday, for fuck’s sake.

nothing cleansed the soul like a good cyber rampage.

I wanted to etch every detail of her into my mind until I could close my eyes and picture her as vividly as if she were standing in front of me. Perhaps then I would understand the hold this woman had on me.

I shouldn’t be touching her and tainting her with my crimes, both past and future. She deserved to shine without darkness threatening to consume her, and if I were a better man, I would let her go. But I wasn’t.

She looked like Venus emerging from the deep blue sea, only a thousand times more spectacular.

A goddess in her natural element.

Darkness was always drawn to light, but I wasn’t just drawn to her; I was fucking obsessed. I would throw myself into her flame and let it burn me alive if it meant her warmth was the last thing I felt before I died.

I didn’t believe in paradise, nor did I believe I could reach it even if it existed, but she smelled exactly like how I imagined paradise would smell.

Her mere presence fascinated me more than any rambling monologue on film, travel, or whatever the fuck people liked to talk about.