Mendacious Read Online Free Page A

wait—”
    “Do not interrupt me when I’m talking to you, Alexander Robert Lewis. You need to shut up and listen to what I’m telling you. I expect you to be at this house by no later than eight tomorrow night for dinner. Your sister has a busy life, but she always makes sure to spend time with her family.”
    My eyes widen and a smirk touches my lips. She means business when she full names me in the middle of a rant.
    “Are you gonna make something to tempt me home then?” I start to tease. “There has to be something in it to make me drive all that way.” She knows I’m baiting her further, so I’m surprised that she isn’t biting back.
    “I’m making Toad in the Hole because it’s your sister’s favourite. If you start coming home more then I’ll start making things you like. Now, bugger off to your meeting.”
    I can’t help but laugh. She knows I hate Toad in the Hole, so it’s obvious she’s doing it on purpose because I cancelled. Round win to the mother, I guess.
    “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I reply, disconnecting the call and shoving my phone into the inside pocket of my suit jacket.
    Despite her moaning, I’m grateful to have at least had some company as I made the short walk from my block of flats to the restaurant. It’s about five minutes away from where I live in Birmingham city centre, so not too far.
    “Good evening, sir.”
    I’m greeted by the usual attentive hostess as soon as I open the main door into Jamiesons. She’s been greeting me like this at least once a week for the last few months since Gemma, the old hostess, was promoted up to general manager. I’ve not learned the new girl’s name, but she seems far too intimidated by me to make general chit-chat.
    “I believe my assistant, Kelly, has already booked a table under Lewis for three people?” I look past her at the dining room in case Benedict and Sean are already here. I spot them seated at our usual table off to the side and gesture toward them. “Actually, my guests are already here. I’ll show myself to my seat.” I nod politely and step past her.
    It’s not the largest restaurant in the world, so it only takes a couple of seconds before I’m standing in front of the table and find both men in deep conversation.
    I clear my throat and straighten my already perfect tie. It catches their attention and they turn and greet me.
    “Alex.” Benedict gets to his feet to shake my hand. “It’s good of you to arrange this meeting. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
    I return his shake. “You have me intrigued. I’m sure you have something up your sleeve to warrant your barrage of phone calls to my office yesterday?”
    “All will be revealed,” he replies, gesturing for me to take a seat. “We were just discussing it before you arrived.”
    “Alright, mate?” Sean asks as I take a seat opposite and help myself to the jug of water in the centre of the table. “This deal has potential you know ...”
    Taking a sip of water first, I lean back in the chair and cross one leg over the other. “Before we start, I want answers on the Oakley bid.” And more importantly, which one of them let this slip by undetected. “I can’t let Ivy take the hit completely. I think one of you two should have been aware of what was going on.” I narrow my eyes at both men. Sean is a picture of perfect composure, whereas Benedict suddenly seems nervous. I catch his face glistening under the dim chandelier light above our table.
    Guilt?
    Regret?
    I’m placing the blame at his door. But, he’s a big lad and I’m sure he’ll get over it.
    “Let’s not play the blame game,” Sean pipes up. “It’s happened. We need to focus on moving the company forward with the next big thing.”
    Quirking an eyebrow, I study him for a couple of seconds, wondering where this sudden boldness has come from. We’ve been best friends for years, but our personal relationship has never strayed into business. I made that decision a