Page 93 of Marks of Rebellion

"Fooled?"

"It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together."

"Why don't you stop talking in code and spit out whatever you're trying to say," he seethes.

I lean back in my seat. "All right. I will. We could have gotten killed today. There's no reason Julieta could have an in with the landowners of that crossing if it doesn't involve some sort of smuggling."

He angrily points at me. "You're wrong, Hunter. It has nothing to do with that."

"I never thought of you as gullible, Ryker."

"That's rich, coming from you."

The sting of his words is a slap in my face. But it's one I deserve. "Go ahead, finish what you want to say," I egg him on, wanting to fight.

He rises. "No. I'm not going there. But you're such an arrogant prick sometimes."

I huff. "Rather be arrogant than naive."

"Spoken from experience. I'll make a note of that."

"I know it's been a while since you've been in the game, but not everyone is good like Maureen was."

Pain, surprise, and anger flare on his face. It's the lowest blow I can give him. I meant it as a warning, but I hate myself for how it comes out and stooping so low. "How dare you bring her into this conversation."

I should apologize and stop. I've done enough damage, but it's like I have to keep lashing out. "Have fun being deceived by Julieta. It's a real shitshow." I knock back a mouthful of alcohol.

"I'm only going to tell you this one more time. Julieta isn't a liar. I'm sorry about what you went through, but don't put her in the same category. And it sucks you're at odds with Vanessa, but don't take it out on Julieta...or Maureen's memory. This is your last warning, too." He stomps into the house and the door slams.

Great. Way to piss Ryker off.

I didn't just upset him, I took the lowest blow I could.

I scrub my hands over my face. I don't have any proof Julieta is lying. It's not right of me to accuse her of smuggling, but no other reason pops into my mind about why she had access to the border.

Stop worrying about Julieta and her issues. Vanessa is the woman I should be focusing on so I can help her.

Can't protect someone who won't fill me in on the situation.

That and I can't go a day without scaring her senseless.

Any option about what I can do so Vanessa doesn't have a panic attack caused by me, or how to get her to tell me her secrets leads to a dead end.

If I push her, she breaks down.

If I don't push her, she'll never tell me.

That's because she doesn't trust me. And now I told her I'm finished with her.

The truth swirls slowly at first then spins faster, until pain and regret tornado in every cell. I finish my beer as reality crashes all around me. The demons of my words and demands mock me, and I go back and forth about whether I've made the right decision or not.

I can't protect her if she doesn't tell me.

I can't protect her if I'm not with her, either.

She doesn't trust me.

She definitely won't trust me now that I gave her an ultimatum.