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

“No they aren’t,” Lyle protested, even though he knew Damien was right. Although it was still relatively early, he was exhausted.


“Don’t worry. If you fall asleep on the way home I’ll carry you up to your apartment.”


“You probably would, wouldn’t you?”


They finished the hot chocolate before getting into the car. Lyle didn’t fall asleep, only because he forced himself not to. He was definitely dragging on their way up to their floor. When they go to his door, he fumbled with the key. Damien took it and unlocked the door.


“Jacket off, boots off, hat, gloves,” Damien said when Lyle started into the living room. “Then you’re going to bed. You have to work tomorrow.”


“Which you don’t. Want to trade?” Lyle asked as he shrugged out of his jacket, putting it and the rest of his outerwear in the closet.


“Nope. I need to be in top shape to help you out at the shop tomorrow night.”


Chapter 40