Page 1 of Filthy Liar

CHAPTERONE

RAVEN

Asharp slap landed on my cheek, startling me awake and making me blink against the light. My wrists hurt from the rough rope rubbing them raw when I’d tried escaping earlier, and my ass was going numb from sitting on the solid wooden chair for so long.

I hadn’t meant to doze off, but Dante had taken me hours ago, and it was starting to get late.

“Wake the fuck up,” Dante growled, fisting my hair and yanking my head back to make me look at him, his emotionless eyes burning into me. “You’re going to confess it all to Ander, and then you’re going to take whatever punishment he gives you.”

“He’s coming here?” I asked, my throat dry and making me cough. My head hurt, my lip was swollen, and I had a hint of panic about what he might have done to me while I was knocked out on the way here.

I’d woken up tied to the chair, my jeans unbuttoned with the top of my ass hanging out. Reid and I had fucked like animals, so I had no idea if the discomfort I was feeling was from him, or some kind of sick punishment from Dante.

“Of course. It’s his right to punish you himself,” he spat, making me wince as he forcefully shoved my tender head forward before releasing my hair.

“What did he say when you told him I was here?”

“It’s a surprise for him. Let me ask you something, Raven. Have you seen him tear a limb from a body with nothing but a kitchen knife? I have. I was skeptical about him when Papa first brought him into the family business, but he impressed me. He can remove an eye from its socket without blinking, castrate a man without hesitation, and cut out someone’s tongue with a smile on his face. You have no idea who you messed with.”

“I’ve seen him kill people.”

“You haven’t seen him kill people for fun. I’d bet money on it,” he chuckled, and I hated how I flinched as he gripped my chin in his hand and ran his thumb across my lower lip. “You’re not really my type, but I’m kind of hoping he lets me punish you a little myself. Ever had your ass fucked raw and then boiling water poured in your gaping hole? I hear it’s not pleasant.”

My silence made him snicker, and he released me before pacing a little further away. He was starting to look unhinged, and I hoped like hell that Ander got me out of here despite being a lying piece of shit.

Doors slammed, echoing through what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse of some kind. The room we were in was completely empty, other than the chair under me.

Relief filled me when Zavier appeared with Ander, my voice cracking. “Zav.”

“What the fuck?” Ander bit out, putting on a good show as he pulled his gun out.

Was this an act? Was he really sucking me and Zavier in with his bullshit charm for Stefano after all?

Zavier moved towards me, but Dante tutted and stepped in his path to stop him, glancing at Ander impatiently. “Why did you bring Lopez with you?”

“Because he was with me when you called and I didn’t particularly like the way you said you had a surprise for me. What the fuck are you doing?” Ander snapped, and I let out a dry laugh.

“Drop the act, Lavaro. Your cover’s blown.”

“What are you talking about?” he growled, his eyes dropping to notice my pants riding low. He aimed his gun at Dante, genuine fury in his voice. “What thefuckdid you do to her? You fucking touched her?”

Zavier shoved Dante out of the way, moving to my side and inspecting my restraints.

“Ander. Give me your knife.”

Ander didn’t take his eyes off Dante as he pulled the knife from his pocket and moved towards us, offering it to Zavier, who instantly started cutting at the rope.

I winced, and Zavier murmured a soft apology.

When Ander finally looked at me and grabbed my chin to take in the damage, I jerked my face from his hold and kicked my foot out, aiming at any piece of him that I could reach.

“Fuck you!” I snapped, confusion filling his eyes.

“Bluebird—”

“Don’t fucking call me that!” I screamed, ignoring the curse from Zavier as the knife lightly nicked my wrist. I barely felt it, I was so angry. “Is Ander Lavaro even your real fucking name, or is that a lie too?”

“It’s my fucking name,” he said sharply, but I saw it. The flicker of guilt in his eyes that told me he knew that I was onto him.

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