Page 49 of Torched

A lopsided grin has me peering down at her as I get off the stretcher, grabbing my glass to lift it to my lips. “You fooled me once, Cris.” I shake my head. “It will never happen again. Here, have a drink.” I swing the contents toward her face, then throw the empty glass in her lap.

“You asshole!” Her Mediterranean accent is on full display as she bares her teeth.

Like a viper, I lean on the stretcher to quickly grip her hair once more, forcing her face close to mine. My eyes radiate the ruthlessness she only knows from my baby brother, and I can see her fear growing when her eyebrows lift in shock. She doesn’t know me like this. She got the composed Liam. The one who’s down-to-earth and practical. The one who one day hoped to be the family man, but she made one mistake. She made herself believe the other version of me wasn’t there. The one who’s used to living on the darker side. It’s there. And the moment she betrayed me, she made sure that’s the only version of me she’ll ever get.

“The only reason I haven’t killed you yet is because you have the last of Callie’s family. But make no mistake,Cristina.” The emphasis of her name is filled with loathing. “You can’t play with me. Because you’ll never win. I won’t hesitate to torture you, tear you up, limp for limp. Stay the fuck away from me. And stay the fuck away from Gen. Do you understand?”

She stays quiet, holding my gaze with a level of defiance I’ll no longer tolerate from her.

“Do you understand?!” I bark, making her lashes flutter beneath me.

She nods, though her eyes stay narrowed.

“You better mean that, because if you try to upset her one more fucking time, I will take my chances of finding Babushka myself and make you disappear like we did to Junior.” I push her head from my grasp, and watch her suck in a breath as I straighten my back. She’s on her ass, her legs curled up in front of her as she watches my movements. Tilting my head, I look at the sight in front of me, enjoying it more than I thought possible. Gone is the confident whore who tried to torment me, and it feels good to find her scared for once.

“Goodnight, Miss Reyes.” I smirk, strolling inside with broad shoulders and a smug feeling, back to my girl and our warm bed.

14

IMOGEN

PRESENT DAY

I’mstaringintothelight blue of the Cote d’Azur, my thoughts wandering as I watch the small fish under the smooth surface. My arms are leaning over the railing, and I can feel the midday sunburn on my shoulders. Besides from Callie’s home in Granada, I’ve never seen more of Europe than that before Kane and Liam stormed into my life, but I think I’m in love. I relish the many cultures that are mere hours away from each other, the different scenery, and all the foods that heighten my senses. It’s so different from the States. I love New York, but I wouldn’t mind taking yearly trips to Europe to discover everything else it has to offer.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Cristina’s voice sounds thick as she approaches, her heels tapping over the deck as I catch her coming my way. Her white sundress contrasts with her olive skin, and black hair that radiates under the rays of sunshine, appearing almost a deep cobalt blue. Leave it up to the devil to dress like an angel. Irritated, I sigh, knowing she will ruin my day. I know I shouldn’t let her get to me, but this girl has the ability to worm her way under anyone’s skin until she shreds you from the inside out, and that includes mine.

Liam told me about the stunt she pulled last night on the deck. It shouldn’t surprise me, but I can’t help wanting to claw her eyes out for touching my man. I hated knowing she was in his lap, with their lips almost touching, but the fact that he told me before he wrapped me into his arms made me feel even more secure with him. With us. Liam Carrillo is mine, and I will be six feet under before she’ll ever get him back.

I tilt my head, scanning the length of her body with a glare from under my sunglasses before I rear my chin back to the water in front of me.

“It’s gorgeous. Don’t jump in, though. Your toxicity might taint the water.”

“You always were funny.” She comes to stand beside me, her shoulder almost touching mine, pissing me off with how she sets herself on the edge of my personal space. Close enough for me to hate it, far away for her to be calling me out if I’d want to make a comment about it.

“You’ve always hated me, Cris. Don’t stop now.”

“I didn’t hate you.”

“You’re full of shit.” I keep my head still, not offering her another glance. Not sure what game she’s playing now, but I’m not giving her the satisfaction of witnessing my annoyance more than she already is.

The sigh that leaves her chest is loud, almost sounding like a teenager begging for attention, which is probably an accurate resemblance even though the woman is a few years my senior. I brace myself for whatever bullshit will slide into my ears, but freeze when her hands fall on my arm, her manicured nails pressing against my skin. With a glare, I drop my gaze to the point where her fingers are burning through me, then lift my head as I grind my teeth together. She shoots me a shocked look, then drops her hand with regret etched on her face, and I can’t help but knit my brows together.

I have to remind myself what good of an actress she is. “I’m sorry.” Cristina turns her eyes to the floor, ashamed, as I assess every inch of her body to find some honesty in her stance. She shuffles her feet a little, then sucks in a breath before her eyes lock with mine again. I can see why Liam fell for her. I can see why any man would fall for her. She’s gorgeous. Her deep brown eyes look like little lanterns under the radiance of the sun. Her skin is smooth, almost looking velvety, tempting to be touched. Her hips are well-rounded, bringing out every alluring curve of her body, combined with her slim waist. She’s not skinny. She’s a grown woman, voluptuous, and beaming, with a level of confidence any man would desire.

But she lacks one thing that’s clear on her deceiving lips; empathy.

I’ve known her long enough to know that’s not something she was blessed with at birth.

“No, you’re not.”

“I am, Gen!”

“Don’t call me Gen. I’m not your friend. You tried to kill my boyfriend.” Snapping my head toward her as I lean in to get into her face a little, my eyes shoot daggers. My heart beats like a madman, and I’m only half as certain as I pretend to be, but I refuse to let her think she can fool me. Or intimidate me, for that matter.

“I know!” Tears pool in the corners of her almond-shaped eyes, and I tilt my head as I wait for her to speak. “I know I can’t rewrite the past, but trust me; if I could, I would. I never wanted Liam to get hurt. Junior made me.” She pauses, holding my gaze as if she’s trying to tap into my feelings. “You know what Junior is capable of. I had no choice.”

I guess since her pathetic attempt didn’t stick with Liam, she’s now trying to throw it on me.

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