Fatal Deception by Katie Reus Read Free Book Online Page B

way that was possible without him knowing about it.
    But Mara nodded, her eyes sincere.
    Holy fucking shit.

Chapter 6
    Mara perched on the edge of the loveseat in her living room. She was battling her flight response. The one telling her to run like hell. And not because of Neville Perdue, but because of her husband.
    Once she’d told Harrison the truth about her background, he’d completely shut down on her. It was scary as hell. She wasn’t scared he’d hurt her or anything, but she hated being on the receiving end of such a cold, indifferent man. A man who’d seen her at her most vulnerable, who she’d let tie her up and pleasure her in countless ways.
    Wrapping her arms around herself, she leaned back and tucked her legs underneath her. She might as well get comfortable. After she’d answered more questions, filled out a police report and talked to her insurance company, Harrison had bundled her into one of his work SUVs and they’d followed the tow truck he’d hired to take her car to an auto shop he used for his work vehicles. Then he’d retrieved the weapons himself.
    And he hadn’t said one damn word to her the entire time. Every time she thought he might, his jaw clenched and he just growled at her. Whenever he looked at her, his dark eyes were shuttered and unreadable.
    “Is she all right?” Harrison’s deep voice was soft, worried as he strode into the living room talking on his cell phone. He’d taken off his suit jacket and tie. Now all he wore were black slacks and his light blue button-down dress shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, showcasing his muscular forearms.
    Swallowing hard, she looked away from his body and focused on his face. He was staring right at her, his dark eyes penetrating with just a hint of the anger she knew was most definitely simmering right under the surface. And it was all directed at her. He paused, as whoever was on the phone spoke. Then, “I’m on my way.”
    Harrison ended the call then turned from her, as if he couldn’t stand to look at her. When it was clear he was leaving the room without speaking to her, she jumped up.
    “Damn it, Harrison. Talk to me, please.” She couldn’t hide the note of desperation in her voice. Even if she deserved it, having him shut her out like this was too much to bear.
    He laughed, the sound harsh and brittle as he turned back to face her. “Talk? About how our marriage is a fucking lie? Or about how you planned to take off after leaving the most pathetic note. Do you know how insane with worry I would have been?”
    She cringed at the anger in his words because he was right. Wiping her damp palms on her jeans, she took a step toward him, but he moved back, flinching as if she’d struck him. Her throat tightened. He didn’t even want her to touch him and she couldn’t blame him. “I’m so sorry, Harrison.” She had so many things to say to him, to explain and make him understand, but knew her words would fall on deaf ears right now. He was too caught up in his own anger and she didn’t blame him. “Where are you going?”
    “Something happened with Lizzy on her way home from work,” Harrison finally said after a moment of silence.
    It took a moment for his words to register. Her throat tightened as panic set in. “Is she okay?”
    He nodded, his expression hardening. “I’m on my way to see her now.” When Mara made a move to go with him, he shook his head.
    Her own anger flared. “You might be pissed at me—and you have every right to be—but I’m going. She’s my best friend.”
    He snorted. “Is everything you told her a lie too?”
    Tears stung her eyes at his angry tone and words. She looked away from him, hating the way he was looking at her and hating herself for the lies she’d lived with.
    “Fuck,” Harrison muttered. “Don’t cry, Mara. Fuck, fuck, fuck .” He shouted the last curse and turned away from her. “Come on. I have questions and you can answer them on the way or in front of Lizzy