Page 23 of Ugly Truths
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Davey doesn't respond as he places the bottle on the ground at his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. Not much has changed since the last time I saw him. I bite the inside of my cheek, watching him watch me.
The seconds turn into minutes, and I wonder briefly if this is supposed to be some intimidation tactic to get me talking. Still, he continues to sit and stare, eyes darting across my features, brows drawn together.
Eventually, I break our unofficial contest. “Are you going to do something, or are you just drawing out the suspense?”
He sits up straighter, and the corner of his mouth twitches, almost imperceptibly.
“I guess thereisstill a little fire left in you.”
That response surprises me, and I tilt my head. His posture shifts slightly as he leans his elbows on his knees, looking me straight in the eye.
“What were you looking for?” he asks.
Of course. Silas sent him down here to try the good-cop-bad-cop routine. I wonder how badly he wished he could've been the bad cop in this situation.
I sigh, my shoulders sagging. “I already told Silas. Iwilltalk, but there are conditions.”
Davey's lips press into a tight line. There's no flicker of recognition or knowing glance. Just stillness. The kind that settles in when someone hasn't found what they were hoping for or doesn't even know exactly what they were looking for in the first place.
Relief trickles in, easing some of the tension in my chest. Silas lied. He doesn't know everything on those servers. If he did, Davey wouldn't be here. Silas wouldn't keep something like that from him. He values Davey too much to keep him in the dark.
Davey surprises me with a curt nod. “What kind of conditions?”
I swallow hard, the words heavy in my throat. “I'll tell you everything, but only after you ensure Luis's safety. You'll get him out of Chicago discreetly, take him home, and leave him alone. Forever. That's the deal.”
Davey's eyes narrow. “Why does Luis's safety mean so much to you?”
The pointed question hangs in the air. They all suspect something, and I can understand why. Not long ago, I was staying in the guest room of Silas's home, and we were anythingbut friends.
I hesitate. If I lie and say we're dating, will they use him to make me talk? Or do I say we're just friends and risk him being killed because he's not strong enough leverage?
There's no correct answer.
I draw in a slow, unsteady breath. “Luis was there for me when I was in trouble,” I admit. “My old employer… they're not the kind of people you can walk away from.”
His expression sharpens, but I keep going.
“Luis helped me leave before my handler could hunt me down. He came up with a plan to get me out of Chicago to maybe start over, away from all of this.” I shake my head slightly at the memories. “I owe him, and he shouldn't die because of my choices.”
Davey studies me for a long moment as the words sink in, probably trying to figure out how much of what I just said is true. Whatever thecase, he doesn't press me further. Instead, he asks, “And what happens toyouafter you talk?”
I meet his gaze, shrugging. “I don't care. I just want to make sure Luis is safe, and that what's on those servers is dealt with by people who can fix it.”
His eyebrows lift, not quite knowing what to do with an answer like that coming from me. After everything, I'd be shocked to learn I'm not always motivated by selfishness, too.
Now it's just about Luis and whatever the hell William is hiding. Nothing more.
Davey studies me for a beat longer, the surprise slowly melting into something steadier. “I'll talk to Silas.”
I blink as he stands and buttons his jacket, casually collecting the water bottle and chair. My brain doesn't register his words right away.
Did Davey just agree?
A spark of something jolts in my chest, and with it, a flicker of boldness I didn't know I had left.
He's almost to the door by the time I collect myself enough to call out, my voice trembling. “There's one more thing.” My heart pounds. I have one opportunity to do this right. “I need to talk to Natalie.”
