Page 86 of Torched

PRESENT DAY

IfeelCristina’seyesburning a hole through my side, sitting next to me in the passenger seat. Her presence makes me grip the steering wheel tighter while my nostrils flare with every exhale.

“I’m not bullshitting you guys, Liam,” she says. Her voice is whiny and needy, reminding me of all the moments she acted like a brat when we were together. At the time, I thought I felt important, being the one to fix shit for her. Man, I was stupid.

“Your track record is so checkered, it’s almost black, Reyes,” Jeremy bellows from the back of the car. Normally, he’s the epitome of reason, always keeping his emotions in check. But right now, I can hear the annoyance seeping from his throat. He’s getting just as fed up with her bullshit as the rest of us.

“I’m trying to make amends.”

“You’re trying to get a fucking diamond in exchange for the life of an old lady,” I argue.

“You weren’t going to listen unless I had something to make you.” I know that when I turn my head, she will be looking at me with Bambi eyes, because she’s done it more than once. She’s skilled when she wants to persuade someone.

“You’re right. I wasn’t.” I pull into the parking lot of the small cemetery with two of our cars parking on either side of us.

“Sit tight, we’ll be right back,” I tell Cristina.

“I’m coming, Liam.”

I roll my eyes, getting out of the car. A man can try, right?

“You two.” I point at two of our men. “Follow us. The rest, keep your eyes open for any threats.” They all nod in agreement, and I walk into the cemetery with Cristina next to me. She’s looking completely unlike herself, with her black hair in a messy bun and her denim shorts. A world of difference compared to the tight skirts and blouses she used to wear back in New York. I know she does it to make us believe she’s not all shine and power, that she’s one of us, but her efforts are futile. Jeremy trails behind us with the two men. I instructed him to get in the back of the car, just like I instructed him to literally have my back while we were here. I can’t prove shit what Cristina is up to, but I know she’s up to something. I wouldn’t be surprised if she slams a knife into my body when I’m not looking, and I’m not risking that shit ever again.

My eyes run the length of the entire lot, trying to find the angle the picture was taken while I hold it up in the air. “There.” The same tree is shown on the picture as the one in the back of the lot, and I tuck the photo back in my pocket. Floral aromas enter my nose when we make our way to the grave, clenching my heart when they remind me of Imogen, but I push them away.

We will get her out of here.

“Here it is.” I glance over my shoulder as Jeremy points at a headstone to the right and I follow it.

Ruby Reyes.

“Well, start digging up your cousin, Reyes.” I twist my head to Cristina while passing her one of the shovels that’s handed by my men.

She cocks an eyebrow with a glare that speaks volumes. “You’re kidding, right?”

“What? You’re too good to dig up a little dirt? Can’t get your hands dirty? Yeah, that sounds like you. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I got it.” My smile doesn’t reach my eyes, but inside, I’m laughing.

She’s so predictable.

I lock eyes with Jeremy long enough to silently tell him to keep his gaze on Cristina at all times, while I get down on my knees and start digging. I can tell my men to do it instead, but Gen’s life is at stake. I want to find that diamond and hold it in my hands to make sure I can trade it for her. I’m not leaving that job to anyone else.

Sweat is dripping from my forehead, my shirt getting damper by the minute, as I keep digging under the heat of the sun until I’m about a yard in. Victory squares my shoulders when I hit something hard below me.

“You found it?” Cristina cheers.

Throwing the shovel to the side, I start digging the dirt with my hands, slowly exposing a wooden cigar box. Eagerly, I pull it out as fast as I can, while all eyes are set on me.

I carefully open the box. Inside rests a white satin cloth, pushed in there like a soft bed, and on top, a yellow diamond shines bright. The reflection is intense, even though there are also bits that are a bit dusty from being in the ground for so long.

“¡Joder! We found it! Give it to me!” Cristina’s grabby hands fly my way, but before she can pull it from my palms, I snap the box closed and remove it from her reach.

“Keep your manicured paws off. I’ll be keeping this with me.”

“I just want to see it!”

“And run away with it, I have no doubt.”

She crosses her arms in front of her chest, popping her hip. “Are you ever going to get over it, Liam?”

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