Page 28 of Torched

This is Cristina Reyes, though. She’d sell her mother if it got her what she wants.

“You’re not fooling anyone on this yacht, Cristina.” Our faces are only three inches apart. “Liam will never take you back."

“We’ll see.” She shrugs, her smirk never faltering.

She rattles me, and I hate it. It makes me furious because it’s fucking with my head. My heart yells at her that Liam loves me, but my mind keeps throwing pebbles to get my attention, saying shit like ‘what if he still has feelings for her?’ and ‘what if she’s right?’

“You get the fuck away from her before I snap your neck!” Liam booms as he makes his way back to the yacht with big strides. Cristina instantly takes a step back, shoots me a wink, and then throws her hands up in the air before offering Liam an innocent smile.

“We’re just talking, Liam.” There is a hint of indignance in her tone, and I’m amazed by the level of nerve this girl has.

I keep staring at her, flabbergasted. She switches from devil to angel within a split second, giving every word she utters so much credibility it’s eerie. It’s not just the fact that I know she’s a skilled fighter, ready to defend herself when it’s necessary, but it’s that this woman can convince anyone of anything. I understand why Liam fell for her lies, because if I hadn’t known about what she tried to do to Liam and Kane, or how she knew Callie was sold for the night, I would’ve believed every word she said.

Cristina Reyes is a siren.

Gorgeous, mesmerizing, and lethal in a way that catches you by surprise every time.

If I want to play this game, I need to find a way to be outsmart her.

And when I lock eyes with a scowling Liam before he pushes his body in front of me to block me from Cristina, I’m determined to find a way.

This man is worth fighting for.

This man is mine.

“I don’t believe a word that’s coming from your snake mouth,” Liam grunts.

Cristina sighs, her features showing defeat. “We’re going to be together for the next few days. I really don’t want to fight, Liam. Can’t we just try to get along?” Her hand reaches out to stroke his arm and I see red.

Darting past Liam, I push him to the side, then shove her a few steps back with my finger pricking in her chest.

“Touch him again, and I will kill you.”

She slaps my finger away, her true character slipping out. “Touchmeagain, and I will make you wish I’d killyou.”

Liam pulls my arm, sheltering my body with his, as he squares his shoulders before peering down at Cristina with contempt.

“Stay away from her, Cristina,” he shouts before he guides me back inside.

I see her narrowed eyes trailing behind us as we step over the threshold, and I let Liam take me away, but not before I flip her off with a glare.

Insecure or not, I need to get over it and own my shit. She will not get what she wants. She will not get Liam. Cristina Reyes will not bring me down. If she thinks I’m not going to put up a fight, she’s got another thing coming.

My day will come, you evil bitch. And you’ll wish you never pissed me off.

I wake up from stumblings on the deck above us, probably the kitchen staff, and I stretch my arms above my head with a big yawn. Liam’s chest is sticking to my back, his warmth dampening the rest of my body.

I feel him stir away behind me, followed by a lingering kiss below my neck.

“Good morning, babe.”

“Hmm, morning.”

I settle closer against him, enjoying being the little spoon as I glance around the room.

I want to say that I kept the attitude the last time I saw Miss Evil on the deck. But I haven’t. For the last forty-eight hours, I’ve been mostly cooped up in this room, trying to process everything that’s happened. I admit it’s also a way to avoid running into Cristina, mainly because I need to get my shit together before I’m ready to face her again. It’s like walking out of that door means walking into a war zone. I’m prepared physically, even though I know Cristina wouldn’t dare to hurt me because it would mean she’d lose any chance to find her precious diamond. But I’m not completely there mentally.

“Are we going up for breakfast?” Liam asks.

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