Page 43 of Promise and Punishment

“Of course they don’t. I’m the bad guy… not them. They’re just a bunch of greedy bastards who’d rather keep the money for themselves.”

Lina concentrated on her phone, lifting it up, reading a message before looking over her shoulder.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s Gemma… is she here?”

“Yes, that’s why you need to stay quiet,” I reminded, as she looked back down at her phone, trying her best not to smile.

“She must still be awake.”

“What makes you say that?”

“She just texted me… and maybe not everyone thinks you are thebad guy.” Lina’s endearing look almost made me fidget. Christ, Gemma was by far the only person that could make methisnervous.

“You? What does she need? I can take care of it.”

“Calm down, big boy. I know you could, but this is for me,” she looked back at the screen. “She wants to know that you’ll be ok, that you won’t have to go to jail.”

“Because of the case?”

“I’m guessing so. Whatever was mentioned tonight must have gotten into her head; although, spending all night at a precinct is enough to make anyone worry.” She scrolled down and smiled again. “She’ll even sign the NDA… just so you know.”

Gemma, my good girl,mygemstone: strong and gorgeous, more valuable and treasured than anything else—yet guarded. She was my girl, even if she couldn’t admit it.

“No NDA,” I ordered. “NDAs are not normal, and all I want, Lina, is to be normal again,” I emphasized, but she was already ahead of me.

“I already responded. I told her you would be just fine… that the whole thing was more of a misunderstanding.” She clicked off the screen, locking it shut.

“Thank you…” I sat back into my seat, “and though I enjoy our conversations, Lina, be sure to listen to me now, I don’t want you bothering Gemma unless it’s necessary, and my secrets are not the problem.” I warned, letting her know one last time that her boundaries were tied to an extent.

“Understood, Mr. Rivers,” she agreed. “And from your text earlier, it seems we have bigger problems, anyways.”

“Correct. You may need to fly back to L.A. tomorrow.”

“So, Miguel called you tonight?”

I re-twisted the bourbon cork shut, uninterested in having another drink at the mention of his name.

“His timing was less than perfect.”

“I still don’t know what he wants. He’s not asking for money; all he says is that you need to tell the truth, and, honestly, I don’t know what that means, but it’s starting to feel like harassment. Moving forward, I’m advising you not to take his calls. Let me take care of this, Mr. Rivers.”

I nodded.

“Fine. Go back and sweeten the deal and give that drunk whatever he needs to let this go. He ever speaks to anyone about me, I’ll come for more than just what little he has.” I stared down into my empty glass, annoyed at the swirling circumstance that I found myself in.

Tomorrow was so important. It was my only shot to show Gemma the world of Alex Rivers was different than my own. Maybe that was why she was so afraid. I couldn’t blame her. I was scary.

My entire life I was called a monster, starting from Miguel himself. Gemma had no idea how much I hid, which was why I had to lie to her after she heard my conversation today. Thinking about how I couldn’t be truthful about Miguel tore me apart, and in that moment, I never hated myself more. No matter how I tried to justify it, it was wrong, but necessary, and I only hoped that she could forgive me, once she was ready to accept my truth.

I changed the topic. “Before you go, I need to make sure you delivered my package to Ivanna.”

“The one you stole from Gemma’s room?” she asked. “Hopefully you don’t get arrested for that either.”

“Stop,” I grinned. “She doesn’t know about it, and I’d like to keep it that way. It’ll change her life forever, and I don’t want it spoiled.” I admitted, feeling content that not all my lies had to hurt, but rather could help. I’d do that for Gemma; anything to make sure that her future would always be better than her past.

Chapter15

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