Read Online Broken Illusions (His Agenda Volume 3) by Dori Lavelle - Free Book Online
Authors: Dori Lavelle
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following the sale of the house for months now out of sheer curiosity. The realtor’s number had been in my phone for several weeks but I had yet to call it until today.
“I’m leaving for Mallorca in a few hours. Taking the wife on vacation. You were lucky to catch me.”
He gave me a once-over and then his gaze returned to my face. He smiled, clearly pleased with what he saw.
I had made an effort to look casual, but at the same time as if I had the money to afford a mansion like this. Thanks to my new black jeans, a white, collarless Armani shirt, a sleek Gucci bag, and metallic thong sandals, I was the picture of understated elegance. Around my neck I wore a diamond necklace from Stalford Jewelers—the gift I had bought myself when I got my first big check from shooting a celebrity wedding in New York.
“I’ll need at least half an hour in the house, if you don’t mind. I like to get the feel of a house first… imagine living in it.”
“Of course.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “I have at least an hour to spare. Take your time.”
I understood why he was nervous. The house had been on the market for two years. The people who had bought it from Jude before he died had moved out as soon as they found out about the crimes committed inside the place they called home. It must have been a shock when Leon’s body was dug out of the garden that now looked so serene and undisturbed.
For a moment, I wondered if Mr. Loyd knew who I was, whether he’d seen me in the papers. Hopefully not. I looked different from the woman I was two years ago, with shorter, darker hair, and less fear in my eyes. The photos that had made their rounds in the press had been of a terrified woman whose internal scars were visible on her face. To some extent, I was still that woman, but the scars were a lot less visible now.
“I’d appreciate that. It’s a beautiful house. Can you tell me why the previous owners left, and why no one has bought it yet?”
He sucked in a breath and I felt bad for putting him on the spot. It was clearly a question he typically avoided, but surely I wasn’t the first person to ask. Why did I even ask him, when I had more answers than he did? Did I want to see if he would lie?
He cleared his throat and pulled the keys from his pocket. “The previous owners moved abroad… hmmm… and well, the price tag on the house is quite high. Most people can’t afford it.”
A lie. He wanted to get this house sold as soon as possible. But I wouldn’t be buying it, of course. I’d come here for closure. I wanted to step back into the past to make peace with it, in the hopes my monsters would let me go for good.
“I see.” I kept my tone emotionless, my eyes fixed on his face. “Can I have some time in the house alone now?” I asked as soon as we entered.
“Of course.” Relief poured over his features. “I’ll be in my car in case you have any more questions.” He said the last word almost in a whisper. Questions were not welcome, it seemed.
I smiled and nodded. “I will.”
He bounced off to his car, unable to get away fast enough from any more possible questions.
When he left, I stepped further into the house. After all this time, the chill was still there—the sudden drop in temperature I used to feel every time I entered.
My feet were leaden as I moved forward, my heart beating so hard I thought I might pass out. I was cold but I was still sweating, and a headache was creeping up on me.
I managed to get as far as the flight of stairs, where I lowered myself onto the last step with my head in my hands, feeling as though something was wrapped around my lungs, squeezing them, cutting off my air supply. I tried to stand again, but my knees were too weak, and shadows of black danced in front of my eyes. If I walked up the stairs in this condition, I wouldn’t make it to the top without collapsing.
I stayed seated for a while, then finally stood. I took my time, climbing one step at
“I’m leaving for Mallorca in a few hours. Taking the wife on vacation. You were lucky to catch me.”
He gave me a once-over and then his gaze returned to my face. He smiled, clearly pleased with what he saw.
I had made an effort to look casual, but at the same time as if I had the money to afford a mansion like this. Thanks to my new black jeans, a white, collarless Armani shirt, a sleek Gucci bag, and metallic thong sandals, I was the picture of understated elegance. Around my neck I wore a diamond necklace from Stalford Jewelers—the gift I had bought myself when I got my first big check from shooting a celebrity wedding in New York.
“I’ll need at least half an hour in the house, if you don’t mind. I like to get the feel of a house first… imagine living in it.”
“Of course.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “I have at least an hour to spare. Take your time.”
I understood why he was nervous. The house had been on the market for two years. The people who had bought it from Jude before he died had moved out as soon as they found out about the crimes committed inside the place they called home. It must have been a shock when Leon’s body was dug out of the garden that now looked so serene and undisturbed.
For a moment, I wondered if Mr. Loyd knew who I was, whether he’d seen me in the papers. Hopefully not. I looked different from the woman I was two years ago, with shorter, darker hair, and less fear in my eyes. The photos that had made their rounds in the press had been of a terrified woman whose internal scars were visible on her face. To some extent, I was still that woman, but the scars were a lot less visible now.
“I’d appreciate that. It’s a beautiful house. Can you tell me why the previous owners left, and why no one has bought it yet?”
He sucked in a breath and I felt bad for putting him on the spot. It was clearly a question he typically avoided, but surely I wasn’t the first person to ask. Why did I even ask him, when I had more answers than he did? Did I want to see if he would lie?
He cleared his throat and pulled the keys from his pocket. “The previous owners moved abroad… hmmm… and well, the price tag on the house is quite high. Most people can’t afford it.”
A lie. He wanted to get this house sold as soon as possible. But I wouldn’t be buying it, of course. I’d come here for closure. I wanted to step back into the past to make peace with it, in the hopes my monsters would let me go for good.
“I see.” I kept my tone emotionless, my eyes fixed on his face. “Can I have some time in the house alone now?” I asked as soon as we entered.
“Of course.” Relief poured over his features. “I’ll be in my car in case you have any more questions.” He said the last word almost in a whisper. Questions were not welcome, it seemed.
I smiled and nodded. “I will.”
He bounced off to his car, unable to get away fast enough from any more possible questions.
When he left, I stepped further into the house. After all this time, the chill was still there—the sudden drop in temperature I used to feel every time I entered.
My feet were leaden as I moved forward, my heart beating so hard I thought I might pass out. I was cold but I was still sweating, and a headache was creeping up on me.
I managed to get as far as the flight of stairs, where I lowered myself onto the last step with my head in my hands, feeling as though something was wrapped around my lungs, squeezing them, cutting off my air supply. I tried to stand again, but my knees were too weak, and shadows of black danced in front of my eyes. If I walked up the stairs in this condition, I wouldn’t make it to the top without collapsing.
I stayed seated for a while, then finally stood. I took my time, climbing one step at
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