Page 75 of Taming Liberty

“You’re bluffing,” he says, seemingly unaffected by my words. “I’m not that gullible.”

I snort and search for the keys to the rental car. We got it after dropping Luis’s car off in a parking garage and texting him the address. Dick move, I agree.

Angel’s right, I was bluffing. But if he doesn’t get his ass out of that bed, I’m really going to leave. I don’t know how to get to his parents’ house, but I’ll figure something out.

I rifle through his pants until I find the keys, then I stand and walk toward the door.

“You don’t know where they live,” he says, his voice finally etched with anxiety.

“Of course I do. I have a great memory.”

“Pleasestop.”

I spin around to face him. “It’s time, Angel. I know this sucks, but we can’t just avoid the inevitable. At some point, you’re going to have to leave Spain, and I don’t want you leaving with regret.”

“You heard my father. I’m not welcome there,” he says, his face creased with anger that probably isn’t directed at me.

“Your father’s a bitter old man who’s as stubborn as you are.” I huff out a breath. “Yourmotherwants you there.Luiswants you there. Let’s just go, then you can hash it out with the old man and remind him that his opinion isn’t all that matters.”

He shakes his head in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“Why?” I fling my hand with exasperation, causing the keys to jingle.

“I’m not going back to that house while he’s there. You don’t know how fucking difficult it was to come back here at all.”

“Then what are you going to do? Wait for the funeral?”

I was being sarcastic, but with the way Angel doesn’t respond, I think thatishis plan.

My jaw drops. “Angel…”

“What the hell am I supposed to do?” he grunts, climbing off the bed. He grabs his boxers off the floor and pulls them on.

“Justtalkto them. At the very least, take your brother’s calls. You haven’t even gone to see Julia, and she’s the whole reason your dad said he doesn’t want you there.”

He pulls on his pants, not looking at me. “She isn’t the reason for anything. She did nothing wrong.”

“Then what, are you avoiding her too?”

No answer. Because, yep, that’s what he’s doing. He flies over an ocean to get here but can’t bring himself to go through with seeing the people he came here for.

I sigh, resting my hand on my hip. “Are you going to come with me or not?”

He glances at me then pulls on his shirt. “Not.”

My teeth grit, and I turn toward the door. “Fine.”

I get to the door and open it, but Angel’s hand reaches over me and pushes it shut. When I turn to face him, he jerks the keys from my grasp.

“Why do you have to be such a pain in the ass?” he asks.

“Because.” My chest heaves with a frustrated breath. “That’s exactly what you need.”

A moment passes, then another, until finally, his face softens. He looks up at the ceiling and rolls his neck, his eyes closing.

When he looks at me again, I can see the turmoil in his eyes. “I can’t see my father right now. I’m not ready… Please respect that.”

Instantly, my irritation vanishes. I ache to touch him, sensing the pain eating him alive, but I don’t reach out. It’d make him feel weak if I did. This man can infuriate me, but the moment he lets his vulnerability show, it all fades away.

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