Page 59 of Twin Deception

As if he would even come out of hiding because someone might have killed me.

He couldn’t even answer the phone when?—

I gasped, freezing in place as I reached for the conditioner.

He didn’t answer the phone.

I’d called him. So many things had happened, and so quickly, that I’d forgotten about how I’d called Bayshore for a number to contact him. That call was probably how that Cartel man knew to come to that room and almost killed me. That call was likely traceable, and therefore, how they’d known to find me.

Oh, my God.It wasmyfault a connection had been made, then. My call to Louis was likely the piece of the puzzle that had that Cartel man sneaking into the last hotel room.

Forgetting about the conditioner, I shoved at the handles to shut the water off in a hurry. I stepped out of the shower stall as quickly as I could without slipping. Water streamed down my skin, boldening the ink I’d had done on my arms.

Soaking wet, messy hair and all, I grabbed the first towel within reach and wrapped it around myself.

I have to tell him.

I’d been insisting that I hadn’t talked to Louis in years. And I hadn’t. But I felt like a partial liar for not telling Miguel that I’d tried to reach out to him.

Running out of the bathroom and leaving wet footprints in my wake, I exited the steamy room and sought out Miguel.

He stopped pacing in the middle of the room, taking in the sight of me. His dark brows raised high as he waited for me to explain why I’d burst out of the bathroom like this, panting and frantic.

“I called him.” I swallowed hard, so worked up by this admission. “I forgot.”

Worried he would assume the worst, that I was lying all along, I rushed up to him and stared into his deep-brown eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“I called Louis yesterday.” I furrowed my brow. “Was it yesterday? Yes. Last night.” I licked my lips, rambling and too hasty with my words. “After the beach, when you told me to go to your room and wait for you, I did just that. And when it was taking you so long to come back, I thought I’d do something instead of just sitting around. I didn’t have a number for Louis for me to call and ask him what was going on, but I knew the rehab place my mother is at would have an emergency number. I called them, and they gave me a number. Then I called it. No one answered.Of course, no one answered. If that number even goes to Louis, he doesn’t give a shit about me to answer the call.”

Miguel didn’t move. He merely watched me with that serious stare.

“When I was in the shower, I realized that maybe that’s why that Cartel man broke in this morning. If by calling a number that may or may not be linked to Louis, it was a traceable call on a log somewhere. And if my calling him for answers led that Cartel man to that room, thenI’mresponsible for your getting shot or hurt, and I hate that.”

I heaved out a deep sigh, feeling better about shedding the burdensome weight of a secret like that.

“I keep telling you that I haven’t talked to Louis. And I haven’t. But I didn’t explain that just last night, I tried to contact him. I don’t like the idea of your thinking I’m lying to you.”

For a few long moments, he stared me down. No frown or smile showed on his rugged face. He offered me no reaction at all.

“Miguel?” I bit my lower lip, nervous. “I’m sorry I didn’t say that earlier. So much has happened so fast, and I only just now remembered how I’d tried and failed to contact him. I’m just as eager for answers as you are, and that’s theonlyreason I tried to take matters into my own hands and get some intel or directions.”

Still, he didn’t speak or move, only staring at me deeply.

“Miguel?” I laid my hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart.

“Hmm?” He exhaled a long breath, gazing at me wordlessly.

“Please…” I winced. “Please don’t be mad.”

“Mad?” He tilted his head to the side as he raised his hand. With one flick of his fingers on the knot I’d tied on the towel wrapped around me, he growled.

The plush white fabric fell to the floor, leaving me naked and wet for him to stare at.

And stare, he did. The corner of his lips tipped up in a cocky smile as he checked me out.

Instant heat roared through me as desire took over. My nipples pebbled, hard and achy under his attention. My pussy started to get sensitive, slicker with arousal that he caused me to leak.

“I’m not mad…”

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