Page 74 of When Lies Unfold

“Two years.”

Stunned, I muse under my breath, “So, she hasn’t spoken in two years…”

“Nope.” He says this offhandedly. “Rumor has it, she was abused for talkin’, so she got used to not talkin’ at all. That day we found her was the only time anybody’s ever heard her speak, and even then, we could tell she was scared to.”

Holy shit. I’m left reeling with the revelation that Alma chose to speak to me. That she continues to choose me. I’m unsure what I’ve done to warrant the privilege, but I vow to do my best to honor it.

As long as I’m here. The little voice in the back of my mind whispers this reminder.

When Luis suddenly clears his throat, nervousness emanates from him. “I know we, uh, don’t know each other well, but I’d like to get to know you better.” He hurriedly tacks on, “At some point.”

I blink, attempting to digest his words. But when he continues with, “But boss said you’re off-limits for now,” a boyish smile tugs at his mouth. “And I probably shouldn’t be tellin’ you that, but I wanna be honest.”

I’m off-limits? Santiago’s declared me off-limits? That asshole.

I can’t say exactly what compels my need for additional confirmation, but I lean forward in my seat. “He said I was off-limits?”

He nods as he navigates the SUV along the private road leading to Santiago’s compound. “Yep. Told me so this mornin’.”

As if he’s suddenly second-guessing himself, his shoulders stiffen. Concern crosses his features and bleeds into his voice. “But please don’t tell anybody I told you.”

“I promise to keep this between us.” The lack of hesitance in my response has him visibly relaxing. Adopting a casual tone, I pose my question carefully. “You mentioned he said I’m off-limits right now? What does that mean?”

He casts me a quick glance before redirecting his attention to the narrow road. “Between us, he said he wasn’t finished vettin’ you yet. That a few things need to be cleared up.”

Interesting. So, he’s still vetting me? Or does he just not want me getting close to another man?

“Evidently, he still views me as a threat,” I muse.

He lets out a derisive grunt. “It’s clear that if you were gonna talk, you’d have done so from the start.”

“So, is it common for him to do this sort of thing?”

“For him to keep somebody at the house and under his watch?” He shakes his head. “Nah. Not at all. In fact”—he frowns thoughtfully—“I’ve never known him to do somethin’ like this before.”

A smile forms on his handsome face. “Then again, we don’t normally run into beautiful women like you.”

I’m granted a reprieve from responding when he pulls up at the house and Diego promptly opens my door. “Good afternoon, Miss Arias.”

Diego studiously avoids meeting my gaze for so long, and that alone is a glaring indicator he’s been reprimanded for lowering his guard with me in the kitchen the other day.

“How’s your day been so far, Diego?” I shouldn’t instigate anything, but dammit, these men have been kind to me. They’d spoken to me like I was an average person instead of a prisoner or suspect.

His eyes dart to mine ever so briefly. “Fine, thank you.” His lips press thin as though he’s attempting to suppress a response a split second before he offers in a stilted tone, “How’s your day been, Miss Arias?”

The formal way he pushes out the question has a tiny laugh falling from my lips. Leaning toward him, I lower my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s been okay, but it would be even better if you’d pull that stick out of your ass and talk to me like a real human.”

Now emerged from the vehicle, Luis has stopped beside us. At my remark, he coughs into his fist, clearly attempting to disguise his laugh. But I don’t allow my focus to veer from Diego, who glances around nervously, his eyes flitting to the mounted cameras nearby.

Finally, he mutters, “Sorry, Lo—Miss Arias. But boss gave the three of us strict orders about interactin’ with you.”

Wait a minute… “He gave the three of you orders?”

He gives a curt nod. “Yeah.”

Eyes narrowing, I prod further, even though I know what his answer will be. “When was this?”

“That day we had nachos.”

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