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

Damien watched Lyle, somewhat surprised that he didn’t seem the least bit nervous about being in the midst of so many people. Probably because he’s too busy making sure everything’s the way it should be. That could change later, when he’s at the party.


Finally, a man Damien presumed was the director of the haunted house show came into the room, calling out, “Places, everyone.” The actors hurried out and the room felt empty when they were gone.


“Now what?” Damien looked at the others in question.


Elaine sighed. “We wait until it’s over, then collect the costumes so we can take them back to the shop. I’d much rather be upstairs, hobnobbing with the rich and famous.”


“Who are down here, going through the haunted house,” Joseph pointed out.


Even though they were well away from what was happening, they could still hear the occasional shriek from a female guest who was having her wits scared out of her.


Chapter 56