Locked Away (Living With Lies Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

ago, my stomach actually growled with hunger, but now food is the last thing on my mind.
    On my way to the table, I do everything in my power to avoid looking at Gavin or Kiran. Once everyone sits down at the table, Kate and Callie start gabbing away, but I’m not listening to a word either of them are saying. Instead, I’m planning my next move.
    Damian left me plenty of money. I could easily stay in a hotel somewhere in Denver and wait out whatever’s going on and not cause Kate and her family any problems. Of course I’ll have to tell Kate where I’m staying if I want Damian to find me and—
    “Yoo-hoo, Belle. Hello, is anyone home?” Kate adds with a chuckle, bringing me out of my thoughts. When I glance around, everyone including Callie is staring at me.
    “I’m sorry. Did you ask me something?”
    Kate’s brows bunch as she watches me carefully. “I asked if you were okay with going shopping tomorrow. We can go to the mall and grab lunch downtown before we pick out a bed for your room.”
    She wants to buy a bed for me and her boyfriend doesn’t want me here. As much as I want to dislike Kate, I can’t stay here and cause her problems. “Thank you. That really means a lot to me, but my plans have changed. I’m not going to be staying here after all,” I say, radiating as much confidence as I can muster.
    “What?” Kate practically yells. I’m about to respond when my eyes lock on Gavin as he reaches out and grabs Kate’s hand and squeezes it. Kate looks at Gavin as he silently reassures her. Kate smiles at him and the love they share suddenly becomes obvious. This is what I’ve been missing in my life. My father loves me and will stop at nothing to protect me, but I’ve never been in love. I’ve never felt anything remotely close to love.
    After a deep breath , Kate looks back at me. “My plans have changed,” I repeat.
    “When? Did Damian call you?” Thanks to the lifestyle I grew up in, I’ve learned the fine art of evasion.
    “I’m going to head out after dinner and stay in a hotel for a few days,” I answer with a smile.
    “But, I thought Damian told you to stay here?” Kate asks, concerned.
    Before I can say anything else, Gavin speaks up. “Belle, you should stay. I would feel more comfortable with you staying with us rather than being by yourself in some hotel somewhere.” I ignore the urge to laugh. I heard exactly what he thinks about me staying here. Maybe he’s genuinely concerned about his sex life.
    “Yeah, you should stay. There are two of us that can keep an eye on you if you’re here,” Kiran says in a tight voice.
    I look around the table to find all four of them watching me, waiting for me to agree I’ll stay. I’m positive neither Gavin nor Kiran has had a change of heart. This is more than likely their guilt talking.
    I slowly nod my head without saying a word. No matter what I do, I’m going to upset someone. But if I leave, I risk upsetting the person who has the worst temper I’ve ever seen, and I’m sure the second I walk out that door, Kate will send him a text.
    “Good. That’s settled. Tomorrow we’ll go out and find a bed for your room.”
    “Okay,” I reply as nonchalantly as possible, which has Kate right back to talking as if we’ve known each other for years. Thankfully, she appears to be rambling and not talking to anyone in general because once again I’ve tuned everyone around me out.
    I take a deep, calming breath and fight the urge to run because I don’t want to be here, but like normal, what I want doesn’t seem to matter.

Kiran
    “Uncle Kiran.”
    I look up in time to see Callie jump into my lap. “Hey, squirt.”
    “Have you seen Belle?” she questions, which causes my shoulders to drop.
    “Not in a few hours, but I think she’s up in her room.” Actually, I know she’s in her room. Since Belle overheard Gavin and I talking, she’s made a point to avoid both of us and her way of doing that is by holing up in her room.