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

Being Monday, he spent most of the day doing his usual chores and—as his father had kept his promise to return his car—grocery shopping. Then, mid-afternoon, he had a brain-storm of sorts. He changed out of his grubbies, got his suitcase from the closet, and then took off for his father’s mansion.


His mother greeted him at the front door, telling him that Warner was gone for the day at a business meeting. “He should be home in time for dinner, if you want to wait.” She studied him at that point and smiled. “You worked things out with Damien, didn’t you?”


“Oh, yes. You look happy. No, more than that, you look contented and at ease.” She touched his forehead. “The lines of stress are gone.”


He chuckled. “I’m sure they’ll be back when Father decides it’s time for me to get on with my lessons.”


“But for now…” She hugged him before asking why he was there.


Chapter 88