Page 61 of Guarded

“Give me five minutes alone with him, and I won’t tell Ariella about what happened.” She says, her eyes challenging.

I look around the room, taking in her proposition. Salvi had taken her knife, and the machines would alert us if we did something funny.

“You have five minutes,” I say and turn to walk out.

The men stare at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I can’t think about anything but how Genesis knew it was me. Both their faces were covered with hoods. I didn’t put it past Leatherface to run his big fucking mouth. If he was willing to throw me under the bus to get whatever he wanted from Genesis, then I had no problem risking his life with her for five minutes.

I didn’t want her to unplug him, but I would walk around the building twice before checking on him. Genesis emerges from the room before the sound of my timer goes off. When she passes by Louie, he flinches, and Chunk’s eyes widen. She’s staring down at her phone, her eyes bloodshot, but she keeps walking until only a small space separates her from me.

She holds her phone up to me with a video of me lifting Ari into my arms the night of Vicente Consuelo’s party.

“I don’t know what you’re doing around my friend but let me find out you’re using her and I won’t hesitate to slit your wrist and make it look like an accident.” She walks past me, down the corridor, and into the elevator. However, the man who exits the elevator is none other than Ariella’s father, Aurelio Reyes.

Chapter 18

Ariella

A list of things that spread fast

1. The stomach flu

2. Chisme

Vomitgaddeon has hit Calavera Hotels, affecting everyone from staff to guests. Even Guapo didn’t look himself today. I arrived early to work and found Thalia and Enrique arguing about being understaffed.

When I walked in, they both looked over my outfit, Thalia with confusion and my Tio Enrique with disgust. After thirty minutes of trying to hide the hickies Nero left, I settled on wearing an oversized pink Dodgers hoodie and pulling my hair into a low ponytail to the side.

The time lost meant minimal makeup, my pink-framed glasses, and, yes, I was wearing Crocs.

“Ari, what in the hell are you- never mind. Can you work in the maid’s quarters today?” Enrique asks.

“Sure!” I say, trying my best to sound optimistic.

I wasn’t going to let vomitgeddon ruin this high I was riding. Not today. I was on cloud nine, and no one would get me down.

On the elevator ride down to the Maid’s Quarter, I read over the messages Nero sent me this morning,

Nero 7:00 AM

Morning Princess. You get some sleep?

Nero 8:00 AM

Where are you going?

Nero 8:10 AM

Why aren’t you answering me?

Nero 8:12 AM

Who are you getting ready for?

Nero 8:20 AM

If you don’t answer me I’m going over there.

I smile at the thought of him coming here to check on me. His possessiveness should probably be a red flag, but I’m color blind.

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