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

Several minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot with Lyle right behind him. They went into the restaurant, then spent some time debating the merits of what to buy that they both liked and could share. They ended up with sweet and sour shrimp, General Tso’s chicken, an order of fried crab wantons, and spring rolls. Damien paid the bill and they talked about the weather, which from the look of it was going to get worse, until their order finally appeared. Gathering up the bags, they returned to their cars and headed home.


“Did you mind my suggesting we eat at your place?” Damien asked when they got off the elevator.


Lyle grinned. “Well…I do have a table large enough for two people, with chairs.”


Laughing, Damien agreed, and loaded down with the bags holding their dinner so that Lyle’s hands were free to unlock the door, he followed him down to his apartment.


Chapter 33