Page 145 of Unspoken Truths

“I see you brought someone with you,” my stepfather murmurs as Ignacio pulls into the driveway.

Emil waves at Lili as she drives away to go see her dad at home, while Ignacio sits in the SUV for a second. I don’t even know whose car that is, it’s not one I’ve seen before. It’s a beautiful emerald green, the color even more stunning as the sun begins to set.

“He found us first,” I mutter. “He’s been searching the coastal towns for us. We probably should have taken a car that wasn’t as flashy.”

Emil smirks even as he rolls his eyes.

“I had that car checked for trackers several times, which is why I figured it was fine,” he says. “My son is apparently a fool and very determined. I would never fuck up as badly as he did for the record, but my grovel game would be on point.”

“Oh would it?” Mom asks, amused as she joins us. “You wouldn’t be dumb enough to fuck up. He’s home… wait, Rachelle what am I missing?”

“My stepbrother stalked me across Oregon,” I answer as quickly as possible, hoping she won’t freak out too badly as she begins to add things up.

“Is this like where boys in the playground pull your hair because they like you, but instead they try to kill you?” Mom asks. “If that’s what this is, I’m going to question your lame parenting skills, Emil.”

This shouldn’t be funny. It really should not, but I feel a bubble of laughter moving through me. Maybe not enough to escape.

It’s a very inopportune and inappropriate feeling, though.

“No, I can reassure you that he did not learn any of this from me,” Emil says. “Damn boy is making me look bad!”

Ignacio is still sitting in his car, gazing at his steering wheel as we discuss him.

“All of this isn’t really appropriate. Ignacio is Rachelle’s stepbrother,” Mom says firmly.

“I think you need to tell that boy’s heart that,” Emil mutters. “It’s very complicated,mi amor.”

“Fuck,” Mom sighs.

Stomping down to the SUV, she knocks on the window, making him jump with an audible shout.

“He already had his nuts zapped once today. Does she have any weapons on her?” I ask, amused.

“Well, he probably deserved it. Was it you or Lili?” he asks.

“She pulled a gun on him, while I fried his nuts. Teamwork,” I say, smirking.

“I would say I pity my son, but I think you’re both what he needs,” he says. “That being said, don’t go easy on Nacio. Make his life hell.”

The boy in question rolls down the window, flinching as my mom goes to knock again.

“Maybe move faster,” she advises. “Are you planning on sleeping in your stepsister’s car, or are you coming inside?”

My car… what?

“You said I wasn’t welcome inside, so I’m probably going to sleep in the car,” he says glumly.

Shut up, heart. Don’t feel bad. Not one little bit!

“This is your home, even though you are an idiot,” she says. “I’m still angry, you will still grovel at my daughter’s feet. She needs water? You get the fuck up and get it. The only servant she has is you.”

“Okay,” he says with a quick nod, sneaking a look up at her.

“If you’re the reason I lose my only child, no one will be able to save you, Nacio,” she says. “Your father gave me full permission to kill you.”

His eyes widen, but I’m sure it’s true. Mom would only do it if I was no longer here. I’m burying the past and everything that happened after my dad died. She’s a much better mother now than she ever was before. I’m not sure what the change was, but I’ll grab it with both hands.

Ignoring the whispers in my head that tell me otherwise, I take a deep breath. I’m going to need to text Barrett when I get upstairs. I was really hoping I could go until tomorrow until I needed to see him.

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