Read Online Locked Away (Living With Lies Book 2) by Riann C. Miller - Free Book Online

dread that comes with it. My mother made it her job to make my father miserable, even if she was justified in doing so. I’ve made it my mission in life to not be like my father or to end up with a woman like my mother. The only way I know how to accomplish that is to avoid relationships altogether. Long before Belle arrived, that plan had backfired one too many times.
    Feeling restless, I get up and walk around the food court. By the time I make it back to the bench where I was sitting, I see the bank teller that helped Belle but no Belle. I push open the door. “Excuse me. Is Be—” I stop, wondering if she used her real name for whatever she came here to do. “The blonde that was just in here, did she leave?”
    “Yes, a few minutes ago.”
    “Thank you.” I walk back out and start searching for her. As I lap around the food court for the second time, I slowly start to panic. Where in the world could she have gone?
    I wish I could call her, but I never asked her for her number. Instead, I continue pacing around, looking like a man who’s lost his child.
    When a half an hour has elapsed, I pull out my phone and call Gavin.
    “Yo, what’s up?” he questions.
    “I lost Belle,” I reply.
    “You what?” His carefree tone vanishes.
    “You heard me. I lost her, man,” I repeat, practically shouting.
    “Did she take off?” I groan. “No, I don’t think so. Fuck! She was here one minute then gone the next.”
    “That doesn’t tell me shit, dude,” Gavin roars in my ear about the same time I hear her voice behind me.
    “I’m right here. You can tell Gavin I’m safe and sound.” I turn around as her annoyed voice washes over me. After a quick glance, I’d say she’s mad, and judging by the way she’s suspiciously looking at me, I think mad might be an understatement.
    “Never mind. She’s back,” I tell Gavin as relief courses through me.
    “If you can’t handle following her around a mall without losing her, maybe you should bring her back to the house.” Before I have the chance to say anything to either of them, Belle starts walking to the main entrance, lugging a large bag with her.
    “Fuck off. We’ll be home soon and if that changes I’ll text you,” I disconnect the call and start running after Belle.
    “Where the hell did you go?” I question when I catch up with her. My hand naturally reaches out for her bag. I almost drop it, not expecting it to be as heavy as it is. “Holy shit. What’s in here?”
    “Don’t worry. It’s just a computer. I don’t like to walk around the mall with dead bodies.”
    In the phone store, her comment felt like a joke, but this time, there’s no laughter in her voice.
    “What the hell has gotten into you?” I question as she stops walking and turns back to me.
    “I didn’t know you were required to report my every move to your buddy. I thought ...” she trails off. She seems sad rather than mad. “I’m sorry, okay. I’m sorry that Kate’s life has collided with Damian’s. I’m sorry that you and your friends are starting over and my baggage showed up at your door. I’m sorry that you had to waste your day babysitting me.” Watching her fight back her emotions is almost painful.
    “If you want the God’s honest truth, I’d rather be anywhere in the world other than living with Damian’s real daughter.” A tear forms but she quickly brushes it away.
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “Would you please just take me back to Kate’s now?” Without looking at me, she starts walking toward my car.
    Shit, even when I’m not trying to be an asshole, I still manage to piss her off.
    After I unlock my car, Belle climbs in while I place her bags in the trunk, then I slide into the driver’s seat. Instead of starting the car, I look over at her. “You said you’d be in the bank. My ass got tired of sitting on that hard bench so I got up to walk around. When I came back, you were gone. The lady who was helping you told me that you left. I...I