A Deal with the devil ( Tangled lies)

r's cold gaze, the ominous key, the words that seemed to vibrate in her chest long after he'd disappeared into the

as hap

d known there were layers to him, but this... this was a nightmare she wasn'

ed up her blouse. The sharp lines of her work attire couldn't mask the deep unease in her chest, but she woul

isappearing into his world of meetings and sile

bbed it off the kitchen coun

el

orted. "I told you. You're in danger. Max

her like a sla

back, trying to keep the pan

? That's just the beginning. There's more to it. More th

g now, but she gripped the phone tightly, refusing to back

iage is real? The truth is far uglier than you could ever imagine. He's a pa

her voice steady. "Who are you? Why

ou. You don't know who you're dealing with." The

one rang i

her. Was this some kind of sick game? Or was this person telling the truth? She had to get to

er now: a need for answers. She couldn't trust Max. Not

he motions of the day-answering emails, making calls-but her mind

he kno

n, the sound of it ech

expecting anyone. She checked the

tinct screamed at her to stay back, to call Max, but she knew this

ad-shouldered, his face partially obscured by the brim of a baseball cap. But there was som

e step back, her heart s

emanded, her voice b

just stared at her, his eyes sharp an

said, trying to stay calm. "I

half-smile, but it was a smil

trouble, Clara. I'm her

Clara's m

om me?" she asked, h

she could close the door. He moved like he was used to

is voice low but forceful. "The game you're playing isn't j

e again, wanting to slam it shut and lock herself away from this man, but hi

?" she asked, keeping her vo

only player in this. If you think you can trust him, you're mistaken. There are thin

wer, his next words almost a wh

?" she demanded again, unable to mas

you listen to me." He stepped back, glancing over his shoulder as if checking for something-or someone. "You ne

ning in this ocean of uncertainty. Max, dangerous? H

e weak, but she could feel a crack formin

ettling calmness. "You will. But

turned and left, his steps echoing down the

eaming at her to run, to flee this house, to disappear f

as goi

of her mind, but now she was certain of it. She had to know what he was in

e man she was married to. She couldn't trust the strangers wh

door creaked open again. She didn't even have time

m h

e wasn't ready for this, no

way of making the world around him feel smaller, more controlled. And in t

u," she said, her voi

s eyes narrowing. The coldnes

on?" he asked,

she took a step toward him. "W

something flicker in his eyes-a glimmer of someth

the answers to," he said, his voic

ready gotten a taste of the truth, Max.

that moment, Clara understood

coming would be worse