Page 47 of Born Sinner
I told my father and brother the story they wanted to hear. The story of how after Sam kidnapped me, I’d waited until he stopped for gas near New Haven, Connecticut, and then I’d run for my life.
The reality of what happened was substantially less dramatic.
The part where I hitchhiked my way across three states is true, however, I’d waited to call Santi until I was safely tucked inside the borders of New Jersey to give Sam plenty of lead time, not because I didn’t have access to a phone.
I spoke nothing of Newport or the run-down motel where Sam’s cock left a delicious scar inside me, matching the one carved on my skin.
When I finished, war raged across my father’s weathered face.
A bloodthirsty look settled in my brother’s eyes.
And me? I kept my silent promise to my darkest and dirtiest knight.
I did what I had to do.
I played the role of the virginal victim while painting him all the colors of a diabolical villain. If I knew it would’ve protected him, I would’ve happily shouldered all the blame. But my father and brother are so deeply entrenched in this Carrera/Santiago war, they wouldn't have believed me anyway.
A familiar lie is always more palatable than an uncomfortable truth.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have my own penance to pay.
My time in America is over. I’d already been ordered back to Mexico before Sam and I took off… After my return, I knew I’d never see the bright lights of the New York skyline again.
“Please,papá,” I beg, fighting to knit the fragile fibers of peace back together as they unravel before my eyes. “Don’t fan the flames of a war, Santi and I will have to extinguish.”
“Speak for yourself,” my brother says, violence flickering in his dark glare. “I’ve been ready to fight this battle for years. All I needed was an excuse.” One corner of his mouth tips up in a wicked smile. “So, I suppose I owe Sanders a thank you before I put a bullet between his eyes.”
He might as well have fired it into my own chest.
“Papá!” I beg, turning toward the formidable man now looming over me. “Do something!”
“I am.” Turning toward the front door, he nods to where an expressionless RJ stands guard. “Tell the pilot to get the jet ready. My daughter will be arriving at Teterboro in half an hour.” He snaps his challenge-filled gaze my way. “She’s going home.”
“Sí.” It’s the first and last word RJ utters before pressing a button on his phone, a silent warning in his eyes.Remember our deal…
Three against one aren’t good odds for anyone. But when you’re the king’s daughter returning from battle wearing the insignia of his sworn enemy, they’re damn near impossible.
Closing my eyes, I soak in one final moment of freedom before wordlessly making my way toward my bedroom to pack up my new life…
And reluctantly return to the one I left behind.
Epilogue
Lola
Seven Months Later
“Hey, Daniela! Wait up!”
Adjusting the heavy backpack slipping down my arm, I smile at the bubbly blonde waving at me from across the quad.Vanessa, I think is her name.She’s a nice girl, a little too talkative at times, but harmless.
I should know. My father and brother personally vetted every student on Northgate’s campus. This place is nothing like Rutgers. With only two thousand students, it’s almost impossible to blend in, so my family keeps their finger on its pulse, allowing no margin for error.
No dark corners for Santiago masks to hide.
Or so they think.
“Everything okay?” I ask, forcing as much of my native accent from the words as possible. No need to raise suspicion and make pretty blonde girls dead.
