Lyle Atwood's company is hired to costume a party given by multi-millionaire Warner Radclyffe. As he and his employees begin preparations for the job, Lyle begins to feel as if someone is watching him. Then he meets Damien Sauvage, the newest tenant in the apartment building where he lives. Damien tells Lyle that he's a waiter, and when Lyle confides in him that he thinks he's being stalked, Damien offers to help find out who it is. What he neglects to tell Lyle is he actually works for Radclyffe, who wants him to protect Lyle from a very powerful enemy. As Damien gains Lyle's confidence, he becomes attracted to the younger man -- an attraction that Lyle reciprocates. He fights his feelings, knowing Lyle will hate him when he finds out his secret -- and even more so when he learns what Damien really is. Radclyffe orders Damien to continue the job, as he has a secret of his own involving Lyle. A secret that cannot be revealed until the night of the party. Can Lyle survive what is to come, or will the lies of omission be the death of him -- or worse?

Lies of Omission

Timing was everything when it came down to it. The costume shop closed at six, which gave Damien time, between sunset at four-thirty or thereabouts and when Lyle would arrive home, to change into clothes that suited his new persona. He decided on black slacks, a white shirt topped by a gray vest, and a black bowtie, all at Radclyffe’s suggestion.


“I guess I look like a waiter in an upscale restaurant,” he grumbled after checking it out in his dresser mirror.


“One who has had a rough couple of days, between moving in and then working yesterday, and working the day-shift today,” Radclyffe agreed from his spot on the edge of Damien’s bed. “Remember, you normally…”


“Work the day-shift. Yeah, yeah, got that. It explains why I’m around in the evenings, if he asks.”


“Exactly. Take off your coat before you get to the elevator so he can see you in all your overworked splendor.”


“Splendor is not the word I’d use,” Damien retorted. “I wish…” He sighed.


Chapter 8