Page 28 of Liar

“Luciana,” Diego warns, watching me closely. I never told him about my encounter with his philandering boss on initiation day.

“Problem is he refused her. Did it publicly, too.”

My heart skips a beat before I can catch it. “He did?”

Diego eyes skim across my face, my surprise far too evident, far too gleeful.

“I always suspected it was the Z22 who killed our parents. I’ve spent years despising her.”

“She’s got blood on her hands. Just not ours.”

“What exactly happened?”

“She attacked one of Ignacio’s women. Dragged her off his lap.”

“I saw.”

“She propositioned him, and he walked away then disappeared for ten minutes. And I was so worried everyone would notice me when I slipped back into the room, but all eyes were on her. Never seen someone lose their temper like that.”

“Um ... have you looked in the mirror when you’re raging?”

He snorts. “When the Boss returned, she wouldn’t even look at him. What person gets that offended because someone heads off to take a piss?”

Against my will, I feel it. Pure, profound pleasure. He went after me. He risked upsetting Marifer in order to speak to me.

But ... why?

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’ve been invited to dance with Amalia Hernandez.”

I laugh. Choreographer and creator of Mexico’s Ballet Folklorico, Amalia Hernandez is my idol. “Impossible. She passed away years ago.”

He studies me thoughtfully, like he can see right through me. But if he really knew how I’m feeling, how curious I am about his boss, I’d be on a bus with a one-way ticket out of here. “What’s the Bastard’s agenda then?” I manage to muster.

“We wait and watch.”

“Like in poker.”

“Exactly. Everyone has a tell. Marifer and Ignacio are no exception.”

“Well, the Bastard’s lucky to have an expert player among his men.”

“Says the woman born with a royal flush in her hand.” Diego throws his arm around me and tugs me in close. “I’m sorry, Luciana. For dragging you in with me and for keeping my intentions to myself. Killing Arturo wasn’t the best thought-out plan of mine.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“I didn’t have a choice. And now, if I weren’t a Lobo, I’d be dead.”

That’swhatHaydensaid. “This was entirely your plan. Not ours.”

He sighs then falls silent.

“I feel like I’m losing you too,” I whisper. “You’re all I have.”

“Yeah, well I love you more than anyone or anything. But it’s time we grow up. It’s time we consider the future.”