Page 51 of When Lies Unfold

“Pizotes?1.”

“How many dogs did you save from pizote attacks?”

“Barely a handful. Most of them died from their injuries because they were so extensive.”

He may think that was a trick question, but it’s not. Everyone knows how vicious pizotes can be. They’re notorious for leaving household pets on the brink of death.

“You acted like you knew what you were doin’ with my nephew.” He loosens his grip on my throat, his thumb sweeping along my skin. “You ever remove bullets from people?”

“Twice.” My voice is raspy. “Only twice.”

Because the other times sure as hell weren’t on people. To me, they weren’t even remotely human.

I would’ve let them die if I’d been given the choice.

When he releases his hold on me, no one speaks while taut silence suspends between us.

“And those two times?” Santiago’s voice is low and lethally sharp. “Gonna tell me they were huntin’ and somethin’ went wrong?”

“No.” My answer is curt. Because I’m not falling for his shit. We all know that hunting is illegal in Costa Rica. He’s treating me like an imbecile. “One was an accident at a private shooting range. The other was an attempted robbery at gunpoint.”

The thing about reinventing yourself is adapting the truth. Staying as close to it as possible to avoid tripping yourself up in lies and avoid anyone else doing it to you.

The bad part is, certain twists start to feel like they’re no longer a modification but actual unadulterated truths.

Even worse is when you start believing your own lies.

“Yeah?” Interest laces Santiago’s voice. “They both survive?”

“Yes.”

He hums under his breath. “Good to hear.” He leans in closer, his hot breath dusting along my ear. “By the way…” I despise the shiver that dances over my skin, my body betraying me with its reaction to his proximity. “Doc said you did a stand-up job on Andro. You impressed him.”

Unease radiates through me because I don’t give a shit about impressing anyone here. They can rot in hell for all I care. Especially a doctor who willingly caters to them.

“Doc says he wants to meet you.” Santiago’s taunt has goose bumps rising on my skin.

Jaw tight, I grit out the words. “I’m pretty busy these days, with cleaning and being a part-time nanny. But thanks for the offer.”

A dark, nefarious-sounding chuckle skates over my skin. He moves, cutting into the bright light searing my vision. I blink a few times to focus on his face looming before me.

His penetrating, dark stare holds me captive while his strong fingers grip my chin. “Ah, Miss Arias. You forget your place. You don’t get a say.”

Fuck.

Giving me the impression he’s privy to my inner thoughts, he lets out another chuckle.

An instant later, the lights turn off, and we’re left in the pitch-black room. By the time my eyes adjust, Santiago is filing out of the room, leaving me alone, still restrained.

Hovering at the threshold, he doesn’t bother to turn around. “Sleep well, Miss Arias.”

The door slams shut, and the click of the lock serves as the final sound that greets my ears until morning.

1 The white-nosed coati, also known as the coatimundi

23

SANTIAGO

---