Throne of Truth (Truth and Lies Duet #2)(90)

My heart is so full because of that.

And I hope you can forgive me for not waking you.

Belle Elle needs me, and I have to go to work. However, I’ve left you a present. Call me when you’re awake—sleep all afternoon if you want. You deserve it. Then come find me at the office and perhaps take me over my desk.

I’d like to put that particular fantasy into reality.

I love you.

See you soon,

Elle xx

I flopped onto my back, a ridiculous grin on my face.

The gift she’d mentioned was her lingerie. She’d left it neatly folded on the covers, proof that she’d gone to work naked beneath her clothes, thinking of me as I thought about her.

I grew hard picturing her bare and waiting for me.

I shouldn’t get so caught up over a note on my pillow and her underwear on my bed, but I did.

It gave me peace of mind that this wasn’t a dream.

This was real.

The second I woke, I’d had a panic attack thinking I was back in lock-up and the soreness in my body and slight dehydration from so much sex was all make-believe.

Then I’d stretched, and the crinkle of paper brought my mind instantly back to Elle.

She knew more than I’d wanted to show her. She knew how my temper and sharp need to protect worked against me and filled me with fear. She understood that the world I was from was full of danger and enemies, while happiness and friends padded hers.

It would take a while for me to relax and not search for disasters, but with her in my life, I had no doubt I could find the one thing I’d never been able to afford—no matter how much I stole or earned on the stock market.

Love.

Unable to fall back to sleep with her on my mind and lust in my heart, I showered, dressed, and headed into the kitchen to enjoy some caffeine before heading uptown to Belle Elle.

While the coffee brewed, I collected my laptop from the locked drawer in the sideboard, and for the first time in five months, opened the internet.

Not having regular visitors or phone calls in jail was hard. Not having access to daily news, stock prices, and portfolio updates was torture.

Logging into my charity, I noticed the offsite staff I’d hired had been busy with a local food bank, lunch day, and a temporary tent city where the council had let us do a trial for homeless people.

I had no doubt Larry would’ve kept it running. I had so much to repay him for.

Perhaps, before I headed to Elle’s, I’d take him to lunch and show him in a woefully understated way how much I valued his friendship and support.

Opening the local news, I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee and prepared to spend the next fifteen minutes perusing the disarray the world had once again fallen into.

Only...my coffee cup slammed onto the table, spilling brown steaming liquid everywhere. My heart stopped. My fingers scrabbled at the screen to jerk the technology closer.

After the happiness of last night...this couldn’t be happening.

NOELLE CHARLSTON SHACKED UP WITH A HOMELESS CRIMINAL?

In terms of New York royalty, none come as close as the Charlston family—the owners and creators of the Belle Elle department stores. Not only have their clothes, toys, and household appliances graced our homes for decades, the Charlstons have regularly been noted for their impeccable social standing and unblemished record at avoiding scandal.

When Noelle’s mother died, the country rallied in support and records showed florists in the New York area all had at least three deliveries a day to the Charlston family in condolences.

However, recent events have made the public doubt the Charlstons are as pure as they led us to believe.

Protesters were photographed yesterday outside their flagship store, boycotting their clothing line. Speaking to one protestor, they said they wouldn’t dress in apparel provided by a company involved with criminals.

It brings up questions as to their own moral code and what they have been involved in over the years while painting the perfect family to the New York people.

Penn Everett is the man hiding in Belle Elle’s shadow. Recently released from prison on an incorrect accusation, it’s been said that his previous arrests are in discussion by local lawyer Larry Barns, pointing fingers at our very own chief of police, Arnold Twig.

Chief Twig states Penn is one of the most violent offenders out there, and it’s a disaster to see the justice system fail the American people.

In a personal interview earlier today, Chief Twig also said he feared for his son, Sean, now that Everett was free. According to him, Everett has always been jealous of Sean Twig and there’s history to show Everett places the blame for his crimes onto the innocent young man.

Neither Joseph Charlston or Noelle were prepared to make a statement.

My elbows planted on the table either side of the damning article.

Fuck.

My legs jittered on the chair leg, my heart filling with snow.

I’d known this would happen. I’d heard rumors in prison and had updates from Larry that Belle Elle was regularly mentioned alongside my name.

But to see it in black and white?

To have a prominent newspaper tear Elle’s family legacy apart all because of me?

Shit, it dug a dagger into my heart and twisted until I couldn’t breathe.

I loved her. I would do anything for her.

But they were right.

This was all my fault.

I’d gone after Elle because of my hate. I’d dragged her into my chaos because of my love. I’d ruined her business because of my selfishness.