Page 55 of Torched

I scrunch up my nose, looking over my shoulder. “I really don’t like the name Reyes.”

He bites my neck, and I screech in his arms, trying to wiggle out of his grasp as he tickles me. “The name Reyes will be extinct as soon as this is over.”

God, I sure as fuck hope so. I’m not a hateful person and I don’t wish anyone harm. Although I did wish Junior all the fucking harm the universe was willing to give him, but in general? I’m not a resentful person. I don’t wish Cristina death. If anything, I want to know what made her who she is, because I don’t see the same empty soul I used to see in Junior’s eyes. There is something that’s causing her to lash out, a level of pain that can barely be explained, but I have no idea what it is.

It makes me understand that even though I don’t want her to die, there doesn’t seem to be another option to eliminate her. She’s hurt. The string that’s causing her to know the good from the bad was already cut long before I first met her. It crushed her ability to feel empathy, creating a monster that we will never be saved from unless we end her.Literally.

But I still wonder if there is another way.

I spin in his arms, taking his hand to press it against mine in the air. Our fingers are spread out and glued together, my hand significantly smaller than his.

“Do you think she means whatever she says?”

“Who? Cristina?” Liam scoffs. “Not a chance in hell.” He studies the features on my face with a little frown peeking underneath the messy strands that fall over his forehead. “Why? Do you?”

I lift my shoulders. “I don’t know. Sometimes. I just don’t think she was born without a soul like Junior. I think they made her this way, and I can’t help but wonder that if she was made this way, can’t she change? Maybe be happy?”

Liam sighs before pressing his lips against mine. The soft cushions express nothing more than love, making my toes curl until he lets go.

The depths of his dark blue eyes peer into mine with a smile that makes my heart beat faster.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“This is why I love you.” He pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “You always see the good in people. No matter how little it is. You smile your way through all the dark shit in this life. I don’t even know how you do it.”

I chuckle, remembering Callie saying the same, but this time, I don’t disagree. This time, I’m starting to believe it might be what sets me apart from the rest. I don’t allow myself to get pulled into the deep pools of despair and hate. I pick love and light every single time. Because I can’t understand why anyone would choose any differently.

“I just do.”

“I know.” I settle my face in his palm. “And you are so beautiful doing it. But to answer your question; no. Cristina doesn’t want me back. She doesn’t regret anything. She’s just sorry her plan didn’t work out. Don’t feel sorry for her, babe. She picked her path. The cards are dealt and her hand is shit. Don’t believe her bluff.” He kisses me again, and I pull him on top of me, wanting his love to seep through my entire body.

“I thought I wore you out.” He laughs, eagerly brushing his lips against mine. I love feeling his weight on top of me, already writhing underneath him for more friction.

“Well, those babies aren’t going to make themselves, are they?” I wink teasingly. “We have to practice, Blondie.A lot.”

He slips inside of me, and I gasp, my lashes shutting close while his mouth moves flush with my ear. “I couldn’t agree more, baby.”

17

CRISTINA

TWO YEARS AGO

Thepoundingatthedoor wakes me up, aggravation hitting me the second my eyes open.

“What the fuck?” I look at the clock beside my bed, my anger now reaching exponential proportions when I see it’s past midnight. I swear if this is Junior, I will hurt him like we’re still kids and he stole my pocketknife. Thatcabrónnever cared for the time. Always showing up at my doorstep at ridiculous hours since I have had my own place just because he has shit to tell.

With a grunt, I step out of my bed and make my way to the front door. The pounding never stops, and my heart starts to race when I think about the man who keeps finding me on the street. I have a gut feeling he wouldn’t knock in the middle of the night because he seems to like the element of surprise, but I grab one of my guns from the kitchen drawer anyway.

I glance through the peek hole, my sight colliding with Liam standing on the other side. “Liam?” I open the door, rolling my eyes, and he burst inside over my threshold. I do not have the energy for him right now. But his expression is troubled, and I put on my worried girlfriend mask, cupping his cheeks between my hands. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

He presses his forehead against mine. “Everything.”

Joder,this is going to take all night.

I guide him to the sofa, sitting him down before I curl into his lap. He hugs me tightly, and I let him bury his lips against my neck as I glare at the ceiling.

“You want to tell me what happened?”

---