Read Locked Away (Living With Lies Book 2) for Free Online Page B

guard up.
    “Morning.” I continue my journey to the fridge for a bottle of water. The whole time, I feel Kiran’s eyes following my every movement.
    “Everyone was really worried about you yesterday,” Kiran adds in a consoling tone, which I find annoying. Everyone wasn’t worried about me, Kate was. Because Kate was upset, she made her concern Gavin and Kiran’s problem.
    I decide it’s best to ignore him and head back upstairs to my room. However, Kiran starts talking to me again as if we’re suddenly long lost friends.
    “The three of them went out to get Callie’s school supplies. They should be back in a few hours, but Kate left you a plate of food from breakfast.”
    I’m not hungry. I should be because the last thing I ate was a bagel at the coffee shop I was in all night.
    “Unless you’re hiding food in your room, you have to be hungry. Eat please,” he adds, echoing my thoughts.
    My back is to him as I try to decide what to say. Life would definitely be easier for me, and especially for Kate, if Kiran and Gavin like me, but I’m not sure where I truly stand with either of them. Is Kiran being nice because Kate was upset with him last night or does he honestly feel bad for the way he’s acted?
    I hear Kiran sigh with frustration. “I feel like you’re purposely avoiding being downstairs and...I want you to feel comfortable here.”
    I turn as Kiran gives me a half-smile, almost as if he’s uncomfortable around me.
    “I’m not avoiding you. Or ...” I trail off, hating the fact that I’m lying.
    “Maybe I am,” I nervously add while I shift from one foot to the other. “I’m used to people judging me but feeling unwanted is a new emotion.”
    Kiran’s eyes flash from my comment. “I didn’t mean—”
    “No, it’s okay. I’m never around men who aren’t on my father’s payroll and when I first looked at you...it felt like my heart actually skipped a beat.” I swallow down my embarrassment and force myself to continue. “When I heard you talking about me when you thought I wasn’t around, I wasn’t mad. I get it. I’m trouble—the kind you don’t want in your life. The kind nobody wants in their life.” I chuckle as his eyes narrow, but he holds my stare.
    “If it makes you feel better, I’m just as ready to leave as you are for me to go.” My voice cracked when I spoke. I’ve already said more than I intended. I need to get out of here before I embarrass myself further.
    “If you see Kate, tell her thank you for breakfast, but I’m not hungry.” I quickly head back up to my bedroom before he can say anything else.
    ****
    “Knock knock,” I sing as I push open the door to Daddy’s office. I turn toward his desk and gasp.
    “Belle,” Daddy says in warning. I usually wait until he tells me I can come in, but his door wasn’t closed tight. My stomach twists when I see Daddy holding a gun against a man’s temple.
    “I’ll go,” I announce before turning and racing out of his office. I run up the stairs to my bedroom where I lock myself in my bathroom. I see guns all the time. I’ve even heard rumors about what’s happened to some of our staff that’s just up and quit, but I’ve never seen Daddy point a gun at someone before.
    Tears start falling down my face as I hear a knock at my door. “Belle.” My hand shakes as I wipe my cheek. “Open the door now, Belle.” Daddy’s voice is stern and I know he’s mad at me. I reach out and unlock the door. Daddy pushes it open and steps in front of me. His eyes look furious as his chest rises and falls. I cast my eyes down in fear of the unknown.
    I hear him sigh. “Belle, you need to knock before you come into my office. You know that.” I know the rules, but Daddy always keeps the door closed when he’s with someone.
    “I thought...I thought ...” I whimper as my eyes fill with more tears.
    “Baby, come here.” My eyes dart to his when I hear how gentle his voice suddenly is. He’s holding his arms open,