Page 104 of Hidden Memories

But I’m too late.

My dad is inside the gate, and he’s not alone.

My boyfriend is already right there with him, and he looks like he’s about to unleash hell.

Chapter Twenty-Six

PRESENT

Rio

Kat’s father is here. Front gate. Pronto.

The secondI read the words, I’m up. No hesitation.

Paul is here?

Urgency slams through me. I don’t even think—I move.

Theo is on the couch, carving out the backside of his wooden pig.

I crouch next to him, keeping my voice light. “Bud,I need to check something out at the gate. You okay hanging with Luis for a bit?”

He shrugs, barely acknowledging me. He’s too into his project to notice my pulse is roaring.

Good. The last thing I need is for him to see me like this.

I push to my feet and make a beeline for the kitchen, where my dad is half buried under the sink, cursing under his breath at whatever pipe he’s pretending he can fix.

“Dad,” I speak quietly. “I need you to watch Theo.”

He slides out, wiping grease off his hands, eyes immediately narrowing. He knows this tone.

“What’s wrong?”

“Not sure yet.”

His gaze sharpens. “Santiago…”

“Just keep Theo inside. Don’t let him out of your sight. Watch him with the knife.”

His expression darkens, but he nods. “Got it.”

I sprint through the door, boots pounding.

Paul Castellanos is here.

And I don’t know what the hell I’m walking into.

Paul steps out of his black sedan like a man who has never been denied a damn thing in his life. His suit is perfectly tailored, his hair still dark, barely touched by gray, as if time itself wouldn’t dare mark him.

He scans the ranch, appraising it, gaze flicking over toward our pastures—looking for leverage, for weaknesses.Like he’s already three moves ahead in a game no one else knows they’re playing.

And when he assesses me?

His eyes are calculating. Cold. He’s already dismissed me as a threat.

Good. Let him.

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