Page 148 of Perfect Liar

The sight of it was horrifying, the sound utterly sickening.

I freaked the fuck out, burying my face on Will’s neck and clutching at him, digging my nails into his flesh, choking on the tears and the blood filling my mouth.

Will purred his soothing words to me.

“Easy, baby…I’ve got you…we’re okay…you’re okay...”

He held me on the floor until Thomas stood over us and the security team had the Green brothers in custody. Will didn’t let go, not even once after we were on our feet. He kept me wrapped up inside his arms while he gave orders.

“Where is my mother? Anyone?” Thomas shouted.

“S-she’s with Robert upstairs,” I sputtered.

Will signaled to one of the guards.

“Upstairs with my brother. John, get our mum and the girls in one room. Everyone stays there until you hear from me or Thomas.”

I choked again, and Will rubbed his hand gently over my back.

“It’s a precaution, Elle. They’ll be safe.”

Robert had come back down. He walked up and reached for my arm.

“I’ll take Ellie upstairs to your mum,” he said.

Joe Turner stepped between us, moving Robert’s hand away from me.

“Step back, sir. Miss James stays with us.”

Will nodded his approval at Joe and barked out more orders.

“Get that fucking thing out of my house. Leave it outside for the police. Move the rest of these people off the estate and lock it down. Keep the Greens here until I can talk to them myself. And then everyone meet me in the war room.”

That fucking thing was Seth Green’s body.

Bile burned the back of my throat.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered to Will.

No, I can do better than that.

I lifted my chin to say it again with more composure, but he stopped me, taking my face into his hands.

“Don’t you apologize for this, Elle. What happened here tonight is my fault.”

A wave of cold resentment rushed though me—none of it was Will’s fault. I pressed my blood-stained lips against his.

“No, they forced your hand.”

He only stared at me, his eyes reflecting controlled anger.

And then he wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to his war room.

Will studied the security monitors, examining every corner of the estate while we waited for the others to complete their tasks and get to the war room.

Strategic thoughts flashed in his eyes.

His determination was a force unto itself.