Page 88 of Unspoken Truths

“You’re not serious,” Ignacio gasps, coughing.

“Maybe a little serious,” Lili says with a shrug. “It’s too bad you’re still on the wrong side.”

I told her everything that happened yesterday on the way to school, and she almost crashed her car a couple of times. Lili had to park a block away from the school in order to be able to hear the rest.

“I can’t talk about that,” Ignacio says, swallowing thickly. “I don’t have a choice. Her name has already been submitted to the Council and we can’t take it back.”

Emil made Ignacio explain what he could to me, since most of the kids know all of this from growing up in the school. Knowledge is power, which I’m seeing from Theo’s need to pick and pull at the threads until he can see the full picture. The Kings are a long standing society that ensures wealth, power, and choices beyond their wildest dreams.

Once a name has been chosen, there’s no way to choose another. They’re stuck, and based on what’s riding on this, the guys aren’t willing to lose this bet. That’s all I know, unfortunately, but Emil is so angry at his son. If I didn’t stare at the idea of ending everything so often, I would be more scared than I am.

I’ve lost everything so often, it’s harder to terrify me unless it’s something that throws me into the past. That’s where the worst demons live. The Kings pale in comparison to those.

Lili squeezes my hand, making me sigh as I look between them. It’s clear I’ve missed some of the conversation, but she simply continues on now that she has my attention.

“Your choice is clearly not us,” she says. “I’m not going anywhere, Nacio. Stop looking at my girl like a kicked puppy.”

“I’m not,” he says. “You never answered my question.”

“The party was a date, but it didn’t go very well,” Lili says, lips twisting. “We should have a do-over.”

“What’s your idea of a do-over?” I ask, interested.

“The weather is nicer now, we could do a movie night out in the tent, eat popcorn, and sleep outside,” she murmurs.

“Lili’s got game,” Ignacio says. “Damn, girl.”

Preening, she winks at him. “She deserves the world. Clearly, I’m the only one willing to give it to her.”

Watching them bicker and joke around is fun, and I shift in my seat as I listen.

“Alright, target hit, but I got the parameters of the bet amended,” he says. “They’re going to keep their hands off you in regards to any sexual touch. Everything else is on the table.”

“My hero?” I ask, blinking at him. “I’m fairly certain Theo is a serial killer, so there’s not much that’s not on the table with a comment like that.”

“No, I’m the serial killer,” Ignacio says, leaning toward me. “The four of us aren’t lily white innocents, and we’ve all killed before, but I have the highest kill count.”

“How nice for you,” Lili says. “A good little mafia man, modeled in your father’s footsteps. Except, he’s a much better man than you.”

Freezing, Ignacio glances at her, and she flinches.

“Back into your corners,” I tell them. “Leave the bloodshed for when he really deserves it, Lili.”

“Yeah, that may have been a low blow. How are your balls?” Lili asks.

“Apparently numb according to your girlfriend,” Ignacio replies.

I can’t help but laugh at Lili’s confused look. “I didn’t exactly say that,” I admonish. “I need to get my photos from the dark room, though, before someone steals them.”

“It’s almost five in the afternoon, I doubt many people are using the dark room today,” Ignacio says as I get up.

Smoothing down my skirt, I nod as we begin to walk toward the stairs.

“Will you take me to drop these off before you take me home?” I ask.

“Yes,” Lili says, following me down the stairs.

“I’m surprised Dad hasn’t bought you a car yet,” Ignacio says.

---