Page 131 of Unspoken Lies
“Calvin makes a mean cookie,” he says, bending down to steal a bite. “Did you really think we’d fire you?”
“The three of you are impossible,” I grumble as I finish my cookie. “I missed almost a month and a half of work. Yes, I thought you’d find someone to replace me.”
“Brea doesn’t want anyone else,” Theo says, tugging me into his arms. “You tend to have that effect on people.”
“Doubtful,” I retort. “Maybe just you. I blame it on something in the water. What time are we leaving?”
“A couple of hours. I proofread and added your resources to the back of your paper for your English class. Is there anything else that needs to be done for it?” he asks.
“The one on how Shakespeare has impacted angst and tragedy in romance novels?” I ask, shocked.
“Yes. It was really good. You were napping, so I took a look at what you’ve been working on since you’ve been going hard on things to catch up,” he says nonchalantly, as if that’s not an invasion of privacy. “You’re pretty much done after that paper and effectively working ahead. So is it done? Can I submit it?”
“Ah, yeah it’s done. It just needed the resources added,” I say. “Do you know where to submit it?”
“I went into your school portal thing and found it,” Theo says with a nod. “Go relax, hang out, and I’ll do it now.”
He disappears down the hallway as I gaze after him. I don’t know what to do with him.
“Those three have it bad,” Calvin murmurs, coming over to stand beside me. “It’s always been the four of them and then they fell out with Ignacio. It’s going to make them, ah…”
“Overbearing?” I ask, pushing my hair behind my ear.
“Pretty much,” he says. “You have more power over them than you think. I don’t often say this, because I am fiercely loyal to them. However, give them hell when necessary. It’ll keep them humble. In high school, your ability to work hard scared them because they had to be the best. None of that matters anymore.”
I suppose he’s right. Finding my ebook reader, I curl up on the couch to read until it’s time to leave. I end up having thebest night at work with six back to back clients for tarot card readings.
I need to find what makes me happy. The Kings aren’t a threat to anything but my heart at this point.
IGNACIO
As Calvin opens the door to the house, I give him a tense smile.El Tigreis lost in the wind. There was a very ominous note waiting for us at the empty building that they were using as a laboratory.
Jefe,I don’t think you know what you’ve done. You’re lucky your wife is nowhere to be found. I’ll have to find something precious of yours to take instead.
Fuck you and your need for control. Those cunts had it coming to them. I’m providing a service, Emil.
Vayase al carajo,
El Tigre.
After that,I told my father we needed to go home right then. The only person thatEl Tigrecould hurt to get to my father other than me is Rachelle. The fact that he called my father his boss is also fairly suspicious. While his wife told us a lot, she refused to tell us anything about his motivations.
We’re in a fucking mess, and I know my father is pissed off that we were so damn close too. Grace is dead, as is Carlos and a long mess of underlings. Their boss is on the run. I know we’remaking this personal for him, but since Liliana was affected by his damn drug, it is personal.
“Welcome back,” Calvin says, opening the door wide for Lili and I to walk in. Mr. Cruz and my father have a meeting they couldn’t miss.
“Thank you. Is anyone home?” I ask.
“The guys are at work and she is with them,” he says cryptically until the door is closed. I appreciate that he’s so careful about saying Rachelle’s name. “It’s been a pretty calm two weeks here though.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” I say.
“Wait, Rachelle is at the club?” Liliana asks.
“No, she’s doing tarot card readings at the shop,” Calvin explains. “There’s only so much you can do cooped up in a house. I’ll take your bags and get everything washed.”
“Ah,” I wince. “I think it would be better if we did it. We threw a lot of our things out, but I’m hoping to save my boots.”
