Page 55 of Depths of Destruction
"Andre."
He nods. "Tell him to come in." He turns, and I don't take my eyes off him until he's inside the house.
I gaze out at the sea, watching the waves crash and listening to the birds screech, trying to pull my emotions and thoughts together. But there's nothing to calm the quivering in my gut.
Darien Cal is a beautiful, painful scar from my past. I've just torn it open and let it bleed on my present.
And I wonder how I'm going to get through this to keep Andre Lòpez as my future.
10
Andre
Don't be an asshole.She said she isn't in love with him.
But he's still in love with her.
Can't blame the guy. It's Naomi. She's not only smoking hot but smart and amazing. There's no other woman like her on the planet.
Please don't let her be in love with him.
Darien and I have been eying each other for the past hour. Naomi paces the room, staying away from both of us. She nervously glances between Darien and me while we discuss our current predicament and what the best plan forward is.
Part of me wants to hate the guy. I can't. He wants what is best for Naomi.
But I don't like him, either.
It's got to be killing him. I'm in his house, but he's allowing it for her sake.
Don't let your guard down. He still wants your woman.
They have a history together.
Twenty years' worth.
"Naomi, what made you think butting into the drug cartel's business would be safe for you?" Darien glares at her.
"It's hurting the people of Belize. Someone has to shed light on what is going on."
"Didn't have to be you."
"I was trying to make a difference."
"I warned you to stay away from it!"
"So Belizeans can continue to die?"
He points at her. "You never learn, do you?"
"Hey. She's doing her job. Lay off her," I bark, pissed off with his tone and trying to respect the fact we are in his house. I also don't want to step on Naomi's toes or appear as if I'm just jealous over their relationship. But I am no longer able to watch his anger toward her, which probably is really toward me, unfold.
He scowls. "Did she tell you about the time she investigated the prison system and had death threats?"
"No. But sounds to me like she's doing a hell of a job shedding light on injustices." Naomi's job isn't always safe, but I'm proud of her bravery and moral compass.
He focuses again on Naomi. "You're pissing off the wrong people."
"Change the subject," I growl.
