Eric opened his mouth to respond, but the words stuck in his throat. He lowered his face in shame.

"It's not what you think, I..." Eric began, his voice barely above a whisper.

Bruno cut him off with a sharp look.

"I came here with her," Bruno said, his voice cold. "And she's doing me a favor."

Eric met his gaze, surprised and shocked at the same time,his lips a gap.

He came here with her? Why didn't Beauty say so?

Every ounce of confidence drained from his body, leaving him pale and weak. He had been caught, not just in a lie, but in something worse.

Bruno talking about...