Page 118 of When Lies Unfold

When he’s done having his wicked way with you, text me back.

Just as I’m about to respond to her, another text arrives. This one, however, is not from Sabrina.

It’s from Supreme Asshole.

Heard you were finally up. Hope you slept okay.

I waver on whether to edit his name but decide against it. I cannot allow my defenses to weaken against this man. After all, I’m merely a passing fascination for him.

His next message threatens my will to replace the necessary distance between us, however.

I gotta say, I hated having to leave you like that.

I dutifully ignore that and type out,

Thanks for returning my bag to me. I slept fine, thanks. I need to iron out my schedule because Sabrina wants to meet up for coffee at some point over the next few days.

I groan when my phone’s screen lights up with an incoming call. Dammit.

His deep, masculine voice greets my ears when I answer. “You can’t go out for coffee.” There’s the briefest pause. “As it is, I didn’t want you cleanin’ at all this week but figured you’d give me shit over it.

“I got Aarón to modify your schedule, so you’re only doin’ the houses we’re familiar with that are easy to surveil.”

Irritation threatens to suffocate me, and my tone is waspish. “Well, you’d be right about me giving you shit over that. What the hell do you mean, I can’t go out for coffee? What happened to me coming and going as a guest?”

“It’s too dangerous. I don’t wanna run the risk of Andro puttin’ a hit out on you.” Male voices sound in the background. “If it’s that important, have Sabrina come to you.”

I attempt to digest what he’s just disclosed. Holy shit. I’m officially living in the most messed-up nightmare where a petulant punk hates me for no legitimate reason. Then his second statement hits me, my words emerging slow and stilted. “Have Sabrina come here?”

“That’s what I said.”

My shoulders slump as fear drips down my spine. “Do you really think he’ll try to kill me again?”

He calls out to someone, “Gotta take this in private. Be back in a second,” before addressing me. “Hold on a second, Miss Arias.”

The voices grow more distant before he addresses me in a subdued tone. “Look, Lola…after shit hittin’ the fan the way it did, it’s smarter and safer for you to stick around where my men can more easily protect you.”

When he releases a weary-sounding breath, I wonder what he’s up to. What business called him away unexpectedly in the middle of the night?

“I wouldn’t enforce any of this if I didn’t think it was necessary. I want you to steer clear of anythin’ that puts you at risk right now.” His voice drops an octave. “I don’t wanna chance somethin’ happenin’ to you. Especially when I’m not there.”

Well. That almost makes it sound like he cares about me. But that can’t be right, because he just wants to fuck me. Eventually, he’ll grow tired of me and move on.

“You okay? How’s the shoulder?”

In an attempt to keep things casual and keep my defenses firm, my answer is stilted with awkwardness. “Fine. I’ve dealt with worse.”

A beat of silence precedes his next question. “You okay otherwise?”

I frown. “Otherwise? As in…?”

His voice deepens, dropping an octave. “You sore?”

My mouth drops open. “You did not just ask me that.”

“I’m talkin’ about your shoulder.”

Shit. “Oh.” My cheeks grow hot, and I drop my chin to my chest. “It’s fine.”

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