Page 54 of Deceitful Oath
I pull myself away from the window and plop onto the sofa—which is, thankfully, very big and comfortable. Sleeping herelast night was rough, regardless. I silently cried myself to sleep, wondering what the hell got into Dominic.
A small, stupid part of me hoped he’d call or at least send me a text to make sure I was okay, but all I got was radio silence. I pull my phone out of my pocket, checking it for the millionth time this morning. Nothing.
Lisa joins me, passing me a steaming mug of tea, and flips on the TV. We sit in silence for a bit, watching a group of silly game show contestants battle for a free dinner.
“So,” Lisa starts, eyeing my face, “is that bruise the reason you're sleeping on my couch?”
I sigh, placing my mug on the coffee table. “Yes and no.”
“Very mysterious,” she scoffs, but she pats my arm comfortingly. Lisa isn’t the most emotional person, but she tries to be understanding. “Did your new man do that to you?”
“No,” I say vehemently. “He would never.”
“Okay, if you don’t want to share the details, I’m not going to pry. You’ll have to use a thicker concealer for work though, or Carlo’s going to be pissed.”
I stare at the TV, not trusting myself to speak. I don’t really know how to tell Lisa I’m not coming to work with her tonight. Or that our boss beat me up in his office for some mysterious betrayal that I didn’t commit.
“Right,” I manage to choke out.
“Imagine what he’d do if he saw one of his best girls with a busted face?” she chuckles. “Sorry, it’s not funny. I have issues dealing with…serious topics.”
I smile, nudging her with my elbow. “Laugh through the pain, I get it. Don’t worry.”
A bang on the door makes me jump, nearly slipping my tea onto my lap. Lisa gives me a concerned glance before getting up to open it.
“You good, Lux?” she asks, reaching for the doorknob. “You’re so jumpy.”
“Fine, fine,” I smile, smoothing down my sweatpants. “Totally fine.”
“Uh-huh, that’s convincing,” she mutters under her breath before pulling the door open.
A delivery guy thrusts a package into her hands and she signs for it. I relax and focus my attention back on the game show.
I don’t know why I’m so jumpy.No, I know, it’s because my life’s falling apart.Am I expecting Carlo to bust in here and beat me up again? Dominic to swoop in on his white horse and put a ring on my finger?
I shake my head, laughing at my overactive imagination. So, she lives in a weird old mansion at the edge of town and half the staff from The Velvet Room also happen to live here.That’s not weird or creepy.
“I quit my job,” I blurt out as soon she settles onto the sofa beside me. Her head whips around, her eyes boring into the side of my face. I nod, confirming it’s true.
“Why on earth?” she cries, muting the TV and forcing me to look at her. “You know that place pays double the hourly wage of any bar, restaurant, or cafe in this town. And the tips…Lux, you’re insane.”
“I know, I know,” I lament, rubbing my face with my hands.Think of a lie. Think of a lie. Or tell her the truth?
“Carlo slapped me.”
“What?” Her voice rises an octave and her eyes go wide as saucers.
I point to my cheek lamely. “It was him.”
She stares at me in shock. Her mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.
“When he called me into his office the other night,” I explain. “He accused me of betraying him and slapped me.”
“Oh,” her eyes light up like she’s made a connection that I seem to be missing. “That makes sense.”
“What?”
“What?”