Page 78 of Liar

Warning sirens sound inside my head. “He killed El Calaca?” I whisper.

My hand shakes.

“Something set the Bastard off.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. Because I understand exactly what set him off. Hard to forget the bone-chilling look that crossed his handsome face when he saw my bruised face and learned the truth.

“Wouldn’t wish a death like that on my worst enemy. But now, there’ll be hell to pay.” My world spirals. I feel faint. He killed El Calaca, for me.

He broke the peace, because of me.

“We may not talk again until things quiet down. Stay put and stick with Javier. And, if you’ve been listening at all, keep your distance fromhim. The less contact you have, the better.”

Listen? Keep away?

How can I when he’s the only person with the answer to my simple question.

Why?

“Happy birthday,’manita. We’ll celebrate when were next together.”

I blink. With life as it’s been, I forgot my birthday was next week. “Diego,” I croak out. Needing him more now than ever. But realizing I have to let him go, for now.

“¿Sí?”

“Follow orders. Wait for him to call you back. Promise?”

“Of course.”

I scowl. “Diego ...”

“Sí, I promise. But only if you do the same. Do what you’re told, understood?”

I roll my eyes then cross my fingers. “I promise.”

And then, our call ends. Tears fall freely, and I’m helpless to stop them.

I hate goodbyes.

But what I hate more than anything is that I’m the reason peace has ended. That I’m the cause of all the goodbyes to come.

23

“Hayden.”

He crosses the main room without casting the slightest glance my way. Pretending I haven’t been trying to get his attention for the past three days. Ignoring me, like my part in starting this war is insignificant.

A trail of Lobos follows him. It’s been like this for days. Him barking orders. Them jumping to do his bidding. Me “listening” like I promised my brother. But with the boss ignoring me and me doing my best to not distract everyone, I’m no closer to finding out why he started this war.

That’s not to say my wayward mind hasn’t mulled over the most obvious answers.

Hayden cares deeply about me.

Hayden might even love me.

It’s mesmerizing watching him work. Firm in his words and confident in his swagger. A brilliant strategist. His plan is to strike hard then outmaneuver the Z22s.

And strike we did.