Locked Away (Living With Lies Book 2) by Riann C. Miller

and you need help.” He gives me a weak smile before walking back to the kitchen where I see Kiran standing by the door, watching my every move. I inwardly sigh because tonight has already started off all wrong.
    ****
    Jared ends up being a great first date. He took me to dinner at a nice restaurant then to a nightclub where we sat around and had a few drinks. Throughout the night, Jared was easygoing and made me laugh more than I could remember.
    After a couple of drinks at the bar, he suggested we hit the dance floor. Pushing down my nerves, I let myself go and followed his movements, which set my body on fire, but Jared didn’t make a move. Instead, he acted like a perfect gentleman, touching but not crossing a line.
    By the time he dropped me off at Kate’s, almost six hours had passed and it was close to midnight. “I have to work a lot this week, but I’d like to take you out again if you’re okay with that,” Jared says with a huge smile.
    “I’d like that.”
    “This weekend?” he questions, already sounding excited.
    “Sure. Call or text me later in the week.” Jared’s eyes bounce back and forth between mine until he leans in and brushes his lips over mine. The kiss was over seconds after it began, and it didn’t leave me with butterflies like I was hoping.
    “This weekend,” he repeats. I nod my head and climb out of his car, heading back to Kate’s house. I unlock the door with a key she gave me the other day. I relock the door and lay my head against it, willing my heart to slow down.
    “Did you enjoy your evening?” I hear Kiran ask in a harsh tone from behind me. I bring my head up and look into the dark living room to see him sitting in a chair that faces the door...like he was waiting on me.
    I raise my chin. “Yes, I did,” I challenge.
    Kiran’s lips are pressed tight together as if he’s fighting the urge to say something. “Why are you up so late? Don’t you have work in the morning?” I question, taking a step closer.
    “I was waiting on you,” he says as the flutters I was expecting to feel earlier finally make their way to my stomach. “That was nice—”
    He frowns at me before cutting me off. “I wasn’t trying to be nice. What you said earlier to Kate? That was a shitty thing to do, not to mention Callie could have overheard you.” Kiran’s comment causes my breath to catch. I already feel awful about the way I acted, but I never thought about how my behavior could have affected that beautiful little girl.
    “You’re a guest in this house. You’re a guest in Kate’s house. I suggest you act like it,” he spouts before standing up and walking up the stairs.
    My legs wobble and the urge to cry is strong, but I know better. Tears are a sign of weakness and being weak is never acceptable. Instead of acting like a child, I make my way to my room as guilt overrides any fun I had tonight.

Belle
    “Stop crying.” Daddy isn’t yelling but he’s mad. Earlier in the day, we’d gone shopping, and I’d snuck off when the man trailing me wasn’t paying attention. “Do you have any idea what could happen to you if the wrong person had found you?”
    I sniffle but I don’t answer him. “Belle, there’s a reason for everything I do. I have men follow you to ensure your safety.” He groans as he runs his hands through his hair. “There won’t be any more shopping trips. If you want something, I’ll send someone out to get it.” My lip quivers as I continue to fight back more tears.
    “I think it’s time.” My eyes dart to his deep green ones. I stand motionless, waiting for him to continue. “Belle, I won’t always be here. I think it’s time you learned how to protect yourself. It’s time you learned what the world really has to offer people like us.” My heart sinks to my stomach. I have no idea what he plans, but I can already tell I’m going to hate it.
    ****
    “How was your date?” I snap out of my thoughts when I hear Kate’s voice.
    “Good.