Free Prelude of Lies by Victoria Smith

the entire time she showered. Thinking about Daisy’s love life was far easier than replaying Marshal’s seductive comment. She still wanted him, despite her sober status this morning.
    What did that mean?
    Daisy wasn’t anywhere to be found in their cabin when Sydney returned from the bathroom. Sydney wondered if they’d gone somewhere private, until she saw Daisy at Marshal’s cabin. A black truck took up the space behind her car and Sydney rushed outside to find out who had arrived. They were expecting three different contractors for estimates on the bathhouses, but they weren’t due to arrive until noon.
    Daisy raised her hands in a symbol of frustration as Sydney rounded the corner. “I’m telling you she’s not here.”
    Uh-oh. She should have stayed away.
    “Then who is that?” The man gave Daisy a superior glance and turned toward Sydney.
    “Good morning. I wanted to talk to you face-to-face since our phone conversations usually end with you swearing and hanging up on me.”
    Oh. Shit.
    He held his hand out. Sydney refused to take it.
    “Jace? You have a lot of nerve showing up here. Especially after your nasty little tricks the other night? Did your grandmother put you up to them, or are you trying to stay in her good graces so you get more money when she dies?” Maybe a tad too nasty, but it was better than slapping him.
    Confusion crossed his face. “What? Grandmother has nothing to do with my visit. What are you talking about?”
    He could not be that stupid. “Duh. What does your Grandmother not have to do with this? Go away, Jace. We have nothing to talk about.”
    Why did he have to be so handsome with his dark hair and blue eyes? And well-dressed? And why did he have a smile that melted her toe nail polish? He was the enemy and she had a headache.
    “You always say that and, yet, here I am with unfinished business to discuss with you.” The man practically oozed charm. Sydney had to remind herself he worked for Vile Violet or else she would have smiled back.
    “See? That’s the part you don’t get. We have no business with you. This was my grandfather’s land. Your grandmother conned my grandfather and now she wants his hard earned heritage to go to her family so it can be turned into a casino. Trust me, that’s never going to happen.”
    “What the hell are you talking about?”

CHAPTER 6
    “What? You cannot be that stupid.” Sydney quelled the urge to punch him square in his solid chest.
    “Grandmother tells me she’s made you a fair offer for Brookside and that you verbally accepted her terms. Now you’ve changed your mind? My grandmother is a powerful woman, Miss Brooks. I don’t think you want to make an enemy of her.” Jace folded his arms over his chest, though his words were calm and lawyer-like.
    Why did this man always make her think violent thoughts? “Your facts are seriously wrong. I suggest you check them. Your grandmother is lying to you. Surely you’re a better lawyer than that? I have nothing else to say to you.”
    The shock on his face almost made her laugh. She might have, if her insides hadn’t already incinerated because of her fury. Damn Violet. And damn Jace.
    Yeah. That was it.
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” Daisy faced Tucker. His stunned expression almost made her wish she had approached him a little differently.
    Except with his crew constantly around, she hadn’t had any choice but to wait until he came out of the bathroom. She’d snagged his arm as he exited, still buckling his belt and whistling.
    “What are you talking about?” His irritation rose to the occasion pretty darn quick.
    “The baby. Why didn’t you tell me there was no baby? Was what we had so bad?” She wrestled the hurt into anger, wanting answers more than his comfort.
    “What? You knew. Jackie told me she told you.” He did seem confused. As if that would save him.
    “And Jackie never lied? Give me a freaking break, Tucker. She wanted you back bad enough that she