Page 19 of Liar

“I did what needed to be done. Now, it’s over.”

I open my eyes so he can see what he’s doing to me. “Over? You came here to join them. You’re pledging yourself to someone who used you.”

“He did us a favor.”

“He did himself a favor.”

Diego sigh upsets me even more. What will it take to make him see reason? “Cartel recruits follow orders without question, something you struggle with. You’re the antithesis of a soldier. Someone who calls the shots. A general not a foot soldier. Do you really believe the Bastard is going to wave some magic wand and you’ll click your heels and fall in line along with the other men?” I snort. “That’ll be the day.”

He rubs his fingers across his chin. “What’s a general without an army?”

“I’myour army.”

“You’re a fighter, true. But we’re surrounded.” His eyes soften. “I’d do anything to protect you. If joining a cartel is the only way, so be it. The Bastard’s cunning. He’s respected by the others. I’d rather swear allegiance to him than anyone else.”

I cringe, hearing the admiration in my brother’s tone. Knowing my coming here is a lost cause.

“He might not accept your pledge.”

He snorts. “Right. Mark my words, the Bastard will appreciate what I have to offer.”

“Being a smart ass, hotheadedburrowith a penchant for pissing people off?”

Diego doesn’t react with humor as expected but instead looks over his shoulder at the door. My heart sinks because he’s already thinking about rejoining the group. “What’s done is done, Luciana. And, if the Bastard noticed I left while he was speaking ... mierda.”

“You think he’ll be angry?”

“Especially on days like today, everything revolves around respect. My leaving the room is a show of blatant disrespect.”

“I can’t believe you. Do you hear yourself? You’re already justifying his actions.” I swallow hard. “Well, go then.”

“I have no choice, Luciana.”

“And now, neither do I.”

He blanches.

I exhale a long, difficult breath. Deal. Adjust. And Move On. It’s a mantra that keeps playing on repeat. “If anyone asks, you were using the restroom. Hurry now.”

He stares at me, somberly. We’d be broken beyond repair without each other. Yet his allegiance to a cartel feels like a sledgehammer raining down on the fragile pieces that are us. My worst nightmare has come true.

I’m losing the only family I have left.

Diego just hasn’t realized it yet.

“Luciana.”

“Go. Before he notices.”

“You are the only person in this world I love.” He swallows hard. “I couldn’t go on living while knowing Arturo got away with it.”

“Actions have consequences,” I grind out. “Every. Single. One.”

“We’ll talk more at home. Leave through the side exit, okay?” He still waits, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders, as it should.

“Go, Diego. I’ll leave once you’ve gone.”

“Love you,conejito.” Little bunny, the nickname he always calls me because he says my nose is always twitching toward his business, yet I’m too cute to shoo away. I always loved the nickname and the loving way he says it. But I’m seventeen going on forty. It’s time to retire a nickname better suited for a time when blissful innocence was all I knew. Everything is different now. I’m forced to survive in a different world, one where wolves swallow bunnies whole.