Bed of Lies by Paula Roe Read Free Book Online

like jagged pieces stabbing her throat on the way in. Those months after the crash had been mind-numbingly tough, her desperation for privacy tested by the public’s morbid fascination with every gory detail. On the very first anniversary she’d caved and given an interview, naively assuming the reporter would keep her personal details anonymous. In the ensuing press avalanche, she’d gone off the grid, working a dozen different cash-in-hand jobs, living in near squalor in Sydney’s far west before reinventing herself. All had been worth it to finally get through night college and earn her TAFE certificate in remedial massage.
    She could’ve joined the other survivors in their class action suit but that would’ve involved too many questions, too much publicity. For so long the crash had been her first and last waking thought, consuming every hour, every day, every dream and horror-filled nightmare until she’d somehow managed to leave the past behind and focus on her future.
    Stop. You can’t go back. Only forward.
    Beth rubbed at her eye sockets until her face ached, until she managed to shove those memories away and her shoulders slowly relaxed.
    When she softly exhaled, the window misted. She wiped it away. Now was not the time and place to lose it, not when she needed all her wits and strength to deal with the here and now.
    Through the window’s reflection she glanced at Luke, but the melting ice in his drink had his rapt attention.
    He handled millions, no, billions, on a daily basis, rubbed shoulders and dealt with clients who made ridiculous amounts of money. The sheer scale of the league she was now in blew her away.
    “Do you still think I’m your uncle’s secret mistress?” she asked quietly, still staring out the window.
    He paused, but when she turned to face him, he shook his head. “No.”
    “Good.”
    Another moment of silence passed as they studied each other like wary opponents unwilling to concede.
    “I’m serious about my offer to buy you out,” he said suddenly. “I can make it worth your while. You can start over in a new place, something closer to Surfers—”
    “Let me tell you something.” She shifted, crossed one leg over the other and gave him her full attention. “Imagine someone gives you a car—it’s old, it’s worn, there are a few bumps and scratches on it and a bit of rust. But still you can see the potential behind all that because up until now, all you’ve ever had were total lemons that weren’t even roadworthy. You spend years on improving that car, banging out the dings, replacing the tires, giving it a new paint job. You sweat and obsess because it gives you a purpose, transports you from your studies, from your crappy waitressing and cleaning jobs, and shows you the possibilities that come with a little hard work and determination. It becomes more than just a project—it becomes a part of who you are. And finally, when you’ve got it running perfectly and that sweet feeling of pride sings through your veins, a guy shows up and demands you turn it over to him. Yes, legally I know I’m just a tenant,” she added quickly just as he opened his mouth. “But, Luke, I put my heart and soul into that place when I had absolutely nothing else. Can you understand that?”
    After an interminable silence, a faint ring permeated the air. Without a word he pulled out his phone. Beth sighed and went back to staring out the window.
    “Connor. What’s up?” Luke said by way of greeting.
    “I heard about the commotion on the 10:00 a.m. newsflash.”
    Luke ground his teeth and muttered a curse. “Yeah, we lost them on the way to Brisbane airport.”
    “Where are you now?”
    “Surfers. Pacific Highway.”
    “What? And who’s ‘we’?”
    Luke glanced at Beth staring out the window then brought his best friend and boss up to speed.
    “I see,” was all Connor said when he’d finished explaining. Luke cringed. He could just picture the dark, impassive expression on