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

Lyle waited until right before closing to let Joseph and Elaine know Damien would be joining them as soon as he got off work. “He wanted to see what a costume shop was like,” was his explanation. “Since he works days when we’re open, I invited him to come by tonight.”


“The secret boyfriend,” Elaine exclaimed, a wicked gleam in her eyes.


“A friend, nothing more. He lives in my apartment complex, which I think I told you.” The fact that they’d hugged a couple of times, although never in public, didn’t negate Lyle’s words—much to his regret.


“Elaine, don’t.” He rolled his eyes as he locked the front door and turned the sign to Closed before going to the desk behind the counter to shut down the business computer. “How would you like it if I teased you about what’s his name?”


“Whoever you’re dating this week,” Joseph replied before Lyle could.


“I’m between men, damn it,” she grumbled. “And I think our first ghost has arrived.”


Chapter 28