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

That didn’t stop his pulse from jumping when he heard a soft rap on the door. Feigning casualness, he went to open it and saw Lyle standing there.


“I wasn’t sure you’d be home,” Lyle looked at him with a touch of shyness.


“Where else would I be on a Tuesday night?” Damien retorted a bit more sharply than he knew was warranted.


Obviously taken aback, Lyle started to turn away. “I don’t know. At a movie, maybe? It is your day off.”


“I’m saving that for when you’re free to go with me.” Damien hoped that would ease Lyle’s tension. It worked, because he gave Damien a relieved smile. “Come on in; tell me how it went tonight.”


Lyle did, looking around with obvious interest. “Spartan,” he commented.


Chapter 27