Page 116 of Unspoken Truths

“No one wants to see all of that,” she says. “Find a shirt, Nacio.”

“I’m going for a run with Elijah,” he says. “Don’t stare so hard in front of your girlfriend, or she’s going to think you want me too.”

Ah, she’d be in really good company.

“Dream on,” Liliana murmurs, snagging my hand.

I can’t help but notice the way his gaze stays on our linked fingers as we walk away. Nacio appears very conflicted, but that’s not my problem. His intentions are clearly aligned somewhere else, which means the longing in his eyes will need to fuck off.

“By the way, little sister,” Ignacio says, making me twist my body to face him. We’re the same age, though months apart. I really wish he wouldn’t call me that and stare at me as if he wants to eat me alive. “I heard it’s your birthday.”

“It is,” I say, waiting for him to say something he may feel is obligatory.

“Maybe watch your back today so you can make sure you make it to your next birthday,” he says, smirking as he pushes past us.

My feet try to trip over themselves as I watch him run down the stairs to meet whoever it was. Was it Elijah? Maybe, I can’t think right now.

“Why would he say that?” I ask, shaking my head.

I’ve had enough close calls this year, even though I was never actually run over or shot. The idea of my rapist possibly getting out of prison early is making me twitchier than ever.

“No,” Lili barks out. “He doesn’t get to ruin your birthday. Not today and not ever. Nacio is an asshole. Let’s get this breakfast over with and escape.”

That sounds good to me.

Shaking off my odd encounter with my stepbrother, I walk down the stairs with Lili to the breakfast nook. It’s flooded with morning light, and smells amazing. Sitting down across from my mom and Emil, Lili and I serve ourselves food quietly. We are now on a mission to eat and leave in the most polite way possible.

“So, your mom and I have a few things we want to give to you,” Emil begins, refusing to let this get awkward. I appreciate his efforts, but it’s still probably going to end up weird. “First, I want you to have driving lessons. It’s an important skill to learn.”

I’d just been talking about this recently, and my eyes widen.

“Really?” I ask.

“Absolutely. Just because Lili is driving you around, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn,” Mom says. “Once you know how to drive, we’ll discuss a car.”

Opening my mouth to tell her I don’t need a car, Emil shakes his head. “You need a car,” he confirms. “I want you to be able to come and go, even if you don’t see the need.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, overwhelmed. That’s not what I expected as a present for my birthday.

Even the expectation of a car after learning how to drive feels like a lot.

“We have a lot of different cars in the garage in the meantime for you to learn with, and as I said, I’ll hire someone to teach you,” he says. “Now, for the next gift.”

“There’s more?” I ask, eyes wide as I force myself to eat my food.

God only knows what Lili has planned, and I want to make sure I have the energy for it.

“There is,” my stepfather confirms. “You were robbed this year, plain and simple in regards to your grades.”

Sighing, I nod. At least, Lili placed at the top of the class and the Kings didn’t mess with her grades.

“I want to find a trip for you and Lili to go wherever you want,” he says. “I’ll send a guard to make sure you have an adult, but honestly, that’s a simple precaution.”

“Even the beach?” I ask, remembering a conversation I had with Lili once. A few days on the beach would be really nice.

“Does it have to be Florida?” Mom asks, teasing me.

“Any beach,” I insist. I just want sand and salt water around me.

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