Page 128 of When Lies Unfold

As selfish as it is, I liked having him look at me like a regular person. As if I were a good human and not some scum-of-the-earth criminal.

But that’s over now.

With a look of sudden intensity, he closes the distance between us, bringing us toe to toe. Wariness has me tensing as my muscles enter fight-or-flight mode. “Nando? What are you?—”

Faster than I’d expect, he cups my face in his hands and plants his mouth on mine. Shock reverberates through me so potently that it takes me a moment to react.

When I batter at his shoulders with my fists to shove him away, he releases me instantly. I gape at him, covering my mouth with my hand, my lips feeling bruised from the fierceness of his kiss.

“So, that’s how it is.” He phrases this as more of a statement for his own benefit.

I’m unable to form a proper response other than to hiss, “Don’t ever do that again.”

Our eyes hold for a long beat. “I sure hope he’s worth it, Lola. Because we both know you deserve better.”

He turns and walks to his truck. I stand in place, watching him slide behind the wheel and disappear down the gravel driveway.

What the hell was that?

54

SANTIAGO

“You sure ’bout this, boss?”

“Just fuckin’ get me there.” I bite out each word, my fingers curlin’ into tight fists.

Gordo lets out a gust of breath. “Goin’ on record to say this ain’t the smartest idea.”

“Don’t fuckin’ care.” I stare straight ahead at the dark road ahead. “Just drive.”

He lets out a string of expletives, but he does what he’s told. It might not be a good idea, but evidently, I need to lay down some strict rules.

Fuck if I’m not still seein’ a blaze of red fury in my vision even now. Diego’d called me to let me know Nando showed up at Lola’s last house. We were on the phone the moment he saw the kiss happen.

That motherfuckin’ cop had the nerve to put his mouth on her.

Diego wanted to intervene right then and there, but I told him to stand down. That I’d take care of it.

Just like I fuckin’ intend to.

Gordo pulls up in front of the small house, and I’m out of the vehicle before he even puts it in Park. Stompin’ up to the front, I beat my fist against the door.

“I’m coming!” Nando yells from inside. The moment he yanks the door open, my fist meets his jaw, and he goes reelin’ back.

Somehow, he manages to stay upright and pissed outrage transforms his face. He throws a punch in retaliation, but I’m ready for it. I block it and aim next for his gut.

“Never put your hands on a woman”—my harsh words emerge in between grunts and punches—“without her motherfuckin’ permission.” I land another punch to his side, and when he throws a semi-decent right hook, I turn in the nick of time, and it glances off my chin.

“Fuck you!” Blood drips from his lips and nose. After my next hit, a puffy redness blooms around his left eye. “You’ve got no business messing with her!” he thunders, his eyes wild. “She’s too damn good for your sorry ass!”

His words break through my haze of fury, and I let him get a lucky hit in, his fist collidin’ with my cheek. I steel myself against the pain before levelin’ him with an icy glare. “You’re right.”

My calm tone catches him off guard, and he eyes me warily. “What?”

“You’re right.” I match his probin’ gaze. “She’s way too good for me. But I still plan to make her mine.”

My words stay suspended between us, and I don’t know which of us is more shocked—me or him. I didn’t plan to say that, but the hell of it is, it’s all true.

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