Page 57 of Torched

“The next time you call me that, I swear, Junior, I’m going to shoot you in the foot.”

“Just make sure it’s a toe I don’t need.”

“I’ll think about it,” I tell him, then take on a more serious tone. “Look, I need you to set it up.”

“¿Verdad?” The excitement is audible, and I nod.

“Really. But we need to move fast, because I don’t know how long I can keep him out of Kane’s grasp.”

“Tell me when.”

“This weekend. The whole charade.”

“Bien, consider it done. So, I guess that means I’ll see you this weekend?”

I haven’t been home for a long time, and I didn’t even realize it earlier. But now that Junior points it out, I feel a giddy feeling forming in my stomach as if my five-year-old self is taking a trip to Disney. But I also am aware of the hurdle we need to overcome first. No time to party just yet.

“If everything goes according to plan, my sweet cousin… you and I will be sipping sangria until we can’t walk by Saturday.”

“Taking over the world on Friday, getting wasted on Saturday. I love it.”

“See you Friday, Junior.” I smile before I hang up the phone, gripping the device tight between my fingers.

This weekend, we can finally end it. We can finally take what is ours.

I suck in a lungful of air, rolling my shoulders back, before I quietly slip back inside.

A few more days, Cris.

18

LIAM

PRESENT DAY

Thetappingandtickingof cutlery echoes through the awkward silence in the room as we all focus on our plates to avoid an awkward conversation.

What do you say to the woman who tried to kill you over breakfast?

Thank you for not succeeding.

Thank you for not trying to kill me today.

I glance at Imogen every few seconds, just wanting to make sure she’s okay, but after she clearly won Cristina’s little power play on the deck the other day, she has been walking around with a new attitude. She shredded her old skin and holds her head high with confidence, her entire stance unbothered by the known threat that’s living amongst us. She’s bright and vivid, showing me that smile that I’ve become addicted to.

But the best part?

It’s killing Cristina inside. She puts up a good act for the most part, but she’s not good enough of an actress to hide her frustration. I’m sure she had the intention of wrapping me around her little manicured finger and taunt Imogen as much as she could. But neither of us is giving her that satisfaction, causing her to let her pinched features slip through more than she wants them to.

“When are Callie and Kane coming back?” The sound of Cristina’s voice makes Gen and I stop with our next bites mid-air as we exchange a look.

“Why do you care when they are coming back?” Gen cocks an eyebrow.

“Look, you can quit the hostility, okay?” There she goes again, trying to play the‘genuine’card. She’s preaching to the wrong choir because we have already seen all the tricks she’s pulled. “I know you hate me, but I’m only here because I have no other option.”

“Taking Babushka hostage was the only option?” Gen cocks her head, amused.

Cristina huffs. “It was the only way you would be willing to work with me, and I need that diamond.”

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