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

“I thought I heard voices,” Lyle said. “Meeting the neighbors like you said?”


“Unintentionally, but yes. Karen in six-o-seven.”


Lyle cocked his head quizzically, and then nodded. “Blonde, with a Texas bouffant?”


“If that means too much hair piled high on her head, then yes.”


Damien’s buzzer sounded at that moment. “Guess my pizza’s here. At least I hope so. I’m starving.” He went to answer and let the man in. When he got back to his door, he saw Lyle’s closing. At least we talked a bit. Next step, trying to get a full conversation with him somehow. Tomorrow’s Friday. Maybe…


He didn’t get to finish his thought as the guy with his pizza stepped off the elevator. Damien took it, tipped him generously, and went inside to eat.


An hour later he heard Lyle’s door open then close. On the off chance he was going out for a late evening walk, Damien shrugged on his coat and went into the hallway just as Lyle was pushing the elevator’s Downbutton.


Chapter 12