Page 57 of Faded Gray Lines

I hung up when it hit me why the number looked so familiar.

It was the same one I’d seen on Luis’s phone.

Twenty

Leighton

The truth shall setyou free.

However, after the few glances I stole at Brody’s profile, I realized the truth could also cause my brother to have a stroke. From the moment he stormed through the door of the townhouse and dragged me into his gray BMW, I knew a confrontation would be unavoidable. He had me trapped, and the longer he drove in silence, I was positive the muscles in his neck would snap at any second.

I couldn’t hold onto my innocent persona any longer.

Brody squeezed the steering wheel as I rubbed my damp palms over my bare thighs, the thick tension in the car breaking as we spoke at the same time.

“What the fuck is going on with you and Cortes?”

“I’ve been lying to you.”

“What?” Brody shouted, his eyes widening in shock.

“Brody...” I started, unsure how to navigate the conversation from here.

“Leighton...” My name was a slow breath of barely contained anger. “You called me for help, and I’ve been trying to give it to you, but every time I turn around, you’re withhim—a stranger. I’m not stupid, so either you tell me the truth, or I’m done.”

My heart squeezed. My big brother had always been the one person I could count on to be in my corner. I had to come clean no matter what my confession cost me.

“Mateo isn’t a stranger.” Taking a deep breath, I forced myself say the words out loud. “I knew him when I was in high school.”

“How the hell did you manage to meet a...he’s a...Leighton, how?”

“I know what he is, Brody.” I sighed. “I mean, I didn’t back then. I took off from one of Mother’s campaign parties one night and ended up in a place no girl should’ve been alone. Mateo was there and saved me. We spent the next seven months together in secret.”

“So you knew who he was at Caliente?”

“Yes and no. When we were together, he told me his name was Matty. I had no idea his real name was Mateo until you said it.”

“I’m going to fucking kill him.”

“Because of something that happened four years ago?”

“No, because he came here to help me and didn’t have the balls to tell me that—”

“I lied to him about my name too. He had no idea the whole time you worked together I was your sister.” I gently pulled his hand away from his face, so he could see the truth in mine. “Let’s just get all this out now.”

His face paled as my confession registered. “Does this mean you know about me?”

“Yes, I know.”

“For how long?”

“Since I got back.”

His apologetic stare hardened. “And you didn’t say anything?”

His tone dulled my remorse. “Exactly how is one supposed to confront one’s own brother about such a thing? ‘Hey big brother, thanks for giving me a place to crash after I murdered a guy. By the way, I know you’re a wanted man and work for a cartel.’ Sorry, it just didn’t come up.”

Brody sighed, the lines around his eyes deepening. “Does anyone else know?”