Page 8 of Arranged Devotion
I snort, very undignified. “Yeah, pretty sure I already know he fucked up big time. I saw it happen. In my bed.”
Liam’s nose wrinkles. “He cheated on you in the bed you two shared?”
“Foryears. It was his idea to move in!” I don’t know why that detail makes it feel so much worse. “I was against it at first, but he talked me into it.”
“Kieren’s good at that, isn’t he?”
I nod, pissed off, and grab the second glass. I try sipping this time but it still just tastes like wood steeped in cleaning solution. I suppress a gag.
“That’s Kieren, able to talk himself out of basically anything. My dadlovedhim. Not sure how he feels now that we broke up and he hasn’t been coming into work. God, that stupid asshole, we had a good thing—“ Tears threaten and I have to swallow them back, struggling to maintain control. Liam looks on impassively. “Kieren was moving up at work. Dad was talking like he’d help run the business one day. I’d be the company’s main CPA, he’d be the CEO or something, and together—“ I let out a bitter laugh. “But that future’s dead now, huh? Burned like his stupid car.”
I throw back the whisky, feeling stupid, ugly, angry, and broken.
“I’m sorry, love. He’s a fucking idiot.” Liam sounds genuine, which surprises me. He glances back at the city. “Lots of fucking idiots in this town. If I had a woman like you, I’d lick your toes and treat you the way you deserve.”
I burst out laughing. “Oh my god, lick my toes?!” I wipe tears from my eyes. “Are you serious?”
He shrugs, smiling slightly too. “If you’re into it, love, I’ll give you it.”
“You’re one weird freak, you know that?”
“I’ll wear that badge proudly.” He finishes his drink and comes over. With a sigh, he pours a second, and nods at me. “Unfortunately, though, we do have some business to discuss.” His eyes roam me toes to lips. “Where’s Kieren staying right now?”
The question surprises me. I shake my head. “I don’t know. I figured he was still back at our apartment.”
“From what I can tell, he hasn’t been back there since you caught him.”
“Then he’s probably staying with—“ I close my eyes and see Vera’s bored smirk, her tits swaying with every thrust.
“Baranov.” Liam whispers the name heavily. “The girl.”
I glance at him and nod. “You know her?”
“Only vaguely.” He seems disturbed as he taps a finger against the glass. “Did Kieren say anything to you? Leading up to his disappearance?”
“You mean, leading up to him ruining my life?”
“Yes, love, but I was trying to be tactful.”
“No, he didn’t say anything. What would he say?” I do my best Kieren impression, lowering my voice a few octaves. “Hey babe, been banging some hot chick from high school behind your back, heh heh, hope that’s cool.”
Liam seems amused. “Did he act strangely? Not at home, but at work. Did he request anything? Ask to see documents that weren’t his?”
The questions catch my attention. A slow, creeping feeling rolls into my guts. “Nothing like that. We didn’t really work together that much. He was high up in project management and I’m an accountant.”
“You have access to your father’s books?”
“For the business, sure.”
“Do you ever bring your laptop home with you? Maybe leave it around the apartment? Does Kieren know your passwords?”
I shove away from the counter and get to my feet. “What the hell is this?”
“Questions, love, that’s all. Not accusations. You’re not in trouble.” He holds his hands up, trying to calm me.
“What did Kieren do? Why were you sent to look in his car?”
“Can’t talk about specifics.”
