Page 26 of Torched

“You’re judging me, just like everyone else,” she hisses. “I’m leaving.”

“Sit down,” I tell her again, calmer this time, as I tug her arm a little. Cristina holds my gaze and I soften mine to ease her mind. “I’m not judging you.”

Yet.But I’m not happy about this piece of information either. I will her to sit down with my blues drilling through her, and I watch her chest move up and down with heaving breaths before she finally sits back down.

I relax my muscles as much as I can, resting my body against the stool.

“You knew who I was when you agreed to dinner. Why?”

She takes a minute to think about that answer, the look in her eyes growing sadder with every passing second. “Because I asked myself if I would’ve agreed if I had a different last name,” she says, “and didn’t have to be scared of you hurting me for being a Reyes. The answer was yes. So, I took my chances.”

“Why?” My guard is up, but I’m also still mesmerized by this woman. There’s something in her that keeps me fixated.

“Because you intrigue me, even though I should quickly run the other way.” She pauses on a rough swallow. “Because I don’t want my last name to prevent me from having the future that I want. I broke all contact with them when I moved here.”

I don’t know if there is any truth to her explanation, but I sure as hell hope there is. She’s taking a big risk telling me her last name, but in a way that seems completely in line with her character. She doesn’t mess around. She’s straightforward. I have no issues painting a picture of her telling her family to go fuck themselves, and considering the way they treat the human race, I think it only makes Cristina that much more appealing. Like she’s the only fresh apple on a full tree of rotten ones.

“Your family and I aren’t on good terms,” I announce, as if she doesn’t already know that.

“Neither am I. They disowned me when I refused to join the family business.”

“Refused?”

“I might look like a harsh bitch, and yes, at some point, I figured I’d be part of the family business,” she confesses as I cock an eyebrow, “butI drew the line when I found out they were kidnapping and selling women.” Her tears well, voice lowering with every word, chin dropping to the floor in shame. “I could look the other way when I thought it was still harmless stuff like cannabis and other drugs. But I can’t when it comes to human rights. That’s just not okay.” Our eyes collide again, agony lacing through hers. “That could’ve been me if my last name wasn’t Reyes.”

I nod.

She takes her napkin from the table, dabbing under her eyes. “Besides, I don’t want to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I’ve always wanted to be a realtor. So I moved to New York city and became one. Junior wasn’t happy.” She shakes her head and I feel my neck tense at his name. “I’m ashamed to admit, but we’ve always been close.” She gives me a side glance. “But it’s also the reason I could escape my past. He let me go, fighting my father and uncle on it.” She brings her attention back up, this time her confidence resurfacing. “I’m grateful that he helped me, but we haven’t spoken in years. My last name is Reyes, but I’m no longer a member of that family.”

“Why would I believe you?” I want to. I really do. Not just because I see the pain sitting inside of her like a parasite, but also because this woman has caught my attention for longer than any woman before her. I don’t just want to get her between my sheets. No, I want to get to know her. I want to know what makes her tick. What drives her. I’m even curious about what she will look like in the future. If the years will make her softer as she works for all her dreams.

“Because you’re sitting here, having dinner with me.” She leans forward, her tone hushed but strong, but I can see her eyes pooling again. “So you must see something in me. I just hope it’s everything that doesn’t come with being a Reyes. That, for once, someone can look past the family I grew up in. I’m here foryou, Liam.” Another tear rolls down her cheek. “Nothing else.”

“Don’t cry,” I soothe. She has a grip on my heart, and I just want to comfort her with my arms around her body. I should be careful, not put my trust in her just yet, but nothing she has said has made me wanna get up and leave. She captivates me more every second I’m in her presence.

“I’m sorry.” She tries to muffle her sobs. “I just hate carrying a name that’s tainted. I know it’s tainted. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“I’m s–” she cuts herself off, wiping away the wetness below her eyes. “Maybe we should just call it a night.”

“Why?” I ask, before I can catch my own words. “Because your last name is Reyes? I’m not that easily scared, sweetheart.” Kane is going to kill me, but words keep leaving my mouth. “I like to think of myself as a fair man. Judging you for the crimes of your family wouldn’t be fair. I want to get to know you, and I mean that. I hope you feel the same.” Part of me hopes she says no, just so I can take the easy way, push away the level of intrigue I’m feeling for her, and get on with my day. But the other part is happy when she gives me a sweet smile, her eyes still a little moist but radiating a level of gratitude that has my heart racing in my chest.

“I do.”

7

IMOGEN

PRESENT DAY

“Don’tlethergetto you,” Callie whispers in my ear with her arms strongly wrapped around me. I swallow away the agony the size of a bowling ball in the back of my throat, trying to get rid of the dread that’s weighing down my entire body.

I hate the fact that Cristina is going to be this close for the next few days. At least with Callie around, I felt like she acted like a human wall in a way. Cristina has a level of respect for Callie that’s been there since they were little. But me? I’m positive Cristina will do everything to make my life miserable, and I’m not sure I have the energy to keep up with it.

Not that I have a choice.

I take a deep breath to get rid of the moisture in my eyes, then let go of her with a wide smile.

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