Page 18 of Hidden But Not Safe

The huff returned, feeling almost natural. When he turned his head, she smiled up at him.

“So your name’s really Ignacio?”

Why did it sound so different when she said it? He nodded. However much he hated it, that was his name.

“But you prefer Naz?” she asked, her eyes intent on his face.

He did. He should nod again. Then she’d never use his full name.

His hesitation ended in a shrug.

Her smile widened. “It’s like you said I can call you whatever I want.” Her head rested on his shoulder again. “I kind of like that,” she mumbled, her arm loosening around his.

His breaths were long and even. He didn’t mind having her close.

“My name is actually Margaret. Margaret Reyes.” There was a hitch in her voice as she said it. “But I prefer Meg. My father was the only one who called me Margaret, and he was an asshole.”

Naz had memories of his own father, but it was the opposite of what Meg was describing. Those fragmented childhood memories were the best thing in his life. He remembered laughter mixed with loving words and hugs. His father was the man he wanted to be, but he was too broken to ever be like him.

It was his father who had first called him Naz. When Diego had gotten him out, using the name had made him feel almost reborn.

“I’ve never had a friend before.” Meg’s voice slurred, and she let out a loud yawn, snuggling deeper into his shoulder. “Maybe that’s what you are.”

Naz didn’t hate the way it sounded, but she was wrong.

He answered to Julio. He couldn’t be her friend.

Chapter 7

Julio was going over the pickup schedule. Most of the dealers weren’t showing up for a couple more days, though a few would trickle in earlier. His crew all knew how it worked. Julio just liked to give orders. It was a way to remind them he was in charge, but Naz never minded. Things sometimes went to shit, but having a clear pecking order and clear plans helped smooth them out.

Not that Julio’s plans were clear. He mostly rambled.

While Julio talked, Meg moved over to rest against the wall near Naz, though not so close that they touched.

Julio’s eyes flicked to Meg, but his voice never paused.

Naz had been expecting something different, but he hadn’t wanted to deal with Julio’s possessiveness either.

“Can I have your phone?” Meg whispered.

Naz tried to pay attention to what Julio was saying, but she’d diverted his attention. Why the hell did she want his phone? Was she going to contact someone?

“Please,” she breathed out.

Naz pulled his phone out, unlocking it and handing it to her. He kept an eye on the screen as Julio continued in a drone that didn’t register. She didn’t call or text anyone. Instead, she pulled up the Notes app.

‘What’s your favorite animal?’ she typed.

Naz’s mind went blank. Why the hell would she ask that?

Meg tapped the screen.

He shook his head.

At first, her lips tilted down as if she was hurt. Like he didn’t want to share it with her or something. Then her lips parted in surprise, and she typed again.

‘You don’t have one?’

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