Page 64 of Marks of Rebellion
"You didn't know, did you?" I gently ask.
She snorts. "That my twin sister was screwing my husband?"
"Yeah."
"Nope. I was too busy and stupid building my career." A tear slips down her cheek. "A lot of good that did me. Not only did I lose my husband, but I lost my sister and the rest of my family. They all sided with her because of their beautiful child. And to throw it in my face, those two named her after me. As if that would make up for it. But I know it's so my sister can act like his tattoo was meant for his daughter and not me."
"He got it before she was born?"
"Yep. When we were kids."
I put my arm around her. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine how painful that must be."
"But while she was rolling around in the sheets in my bed, I was signing up to work extra flights to pay for this land, so my lovely husband could have his dream. Well, I got way more than property. I got forced into all the things I wanted no part of."
"With Santiago's crew?"
She finishes her drink and adds more to the glass. "Nope. Never met him until I got kidnapped." She sarcastically laughs while tears drip onto her thighs. "Torres was our drug lord. All for the good of the movement." She presses her hand to her forehead. "Forget I said anything. I shouldn't have. Please don't ask me about it or repeat what I said."
She knows.
"I know about the movement," I quietly say.
She shifts. "You do?"
I slowly nod my head.
"Then you know what they have planned?"
My stomach flips. "Yes."
"Some days, I just want to kill myself," she whispers.
"I know."
"You, too?"
"Yes." I admit.
She taps the glass in her hand. "I don't see the point anymore. Even out of the hands of Santiago and his men, what do I have that's left? A bunch of memories of what they all did to me? The looming fear of what's in store for me when they find me?" She takes several mouthfuls of rum. "I might as well take one of the guys' guns and end it on my terms."
"Don't say that," Hunter's voice booms behind us, and I jump. He sits down and quietly says, "Sorry, Flower."
Julieta finishes her drink and wipes her eyes. "Forget I said anything. I'm sleeping in that building." She rises and grabs the bottle of rum. "There are three guest bedrooms upstairs. Pick whatever one you want. Until the paperwork is filed, it's still my house." She scoffs, and more tears fall.
Hunter starts, "Julieta—"
"Please don't."
"I'm not going to forget you said that. You—"
"Please stop. I'm so tired of fighting and worrying, and... God, just everything. Please just stop." She sobs and trots away.
Hunter starts to get up, but I stop him.
"Let her be."
"She just talked about blowing her head off, and she's drinking, too. I can't just let her be."
