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

“You know how they dressed?” Lyle asked in surprise.


Think fast, fool. “I watched some movie about Beau Brummell one night on a streaming service. What can I say, I was bored and not in the mood for action flicks. That is the right period, isn’t it?”


Lyle grinned. “It is. Somehow I can’t see you watching it, and picking up some of the phrasing from the time.”


“I have a good ear for words,” Damien replied. Gods help me if he doesn’t believe it. I have to watch what I’m saying, or how, I guess.


“I’d say so.” Lyle pushed his plate away. “I’m stuffed, but take more if you want. Otherwise it’ll end up in the freezer as leftovers.”


“Nothing wrong with that. It saves on cooking. Honestly, I’m full, too. I’ll help you clean up.”


“You don’t have to, you’re a guest.”


By the time they finished the dishes and Lyle had put the leftover chicken into the freezer, it was almost eight.


Chapter 21