Page 99 of Nemesis

I made her promise not to leave me again, and yet I did exactly that to her.

I loved her despite the feelings of betrayal she’d implanted in my heart, but I didn’t know if I could trust her.

I thought I could put it past me and forgive her, but I needed time away. It would be unfair to her to start our future with any resentment on my end.

And right now, I didn’t know where I stood.

A loud ringtone jolted me from my thoughts, but I let it ring. My mother had been calling me nonstop ever since I’d relieved myself of my bodyguard duties. I’d ignored her repeated phone calls, knowing she’d be able to decipher what was wrong immediately, and I wasn’t up for any interrogation.

My phone rang again and I scrubbed my hands over my face, sitting up on the couch to pick up. Noah’s name lit the screen, the blue light illuminating the dark space.

Why did he always have to call so late at night?

Groaning, I picked up the phone and lay against the back of the couch. “Yes?”

“Why aren’t you answering?” Noah muttered.

“Noah,” I warned.

“Open up.”Click. Confused, I looked at my phone screen.What the fuck?

A knock resounded in the room and I glanced toward my front door, finding his face peering in through one of the large windows in the living room.

Muttering a curse, I dropped my phone on the couch and headed toward the front door, then swung it open.

“What is it with you and late-night visits?”

He glanced down at my clothes and then into my place. “You look like shit.”

I’d been wearing the same outfit for the last few days, barely able to shower and eat, sulking on my couch all day.

Although he had a valid point, I chose to ignore his dig. “Get to your point.” I grunted.

He shoved past me, marched to the couch, plopped down on it, and propped a foot against his knee.

“Victor Morales is dead,” he finally said.

“I know.” The door shut behind me as I passed behind him, heading for the kitchen.

Grabbing us beers from the fridge, I popped them open against the counter, then tossed the caps into the recycling bin before walking back into the living room.

“Why aren’t you with his wife?” he asked.

I swallowed around the thick knot that’d formed in my throat at the mention of Sofia.

“Contract’s over,” I lied, handing him a bottle before taking a seat on the chair across from him.

I took a large gulp, the cold liquid making its way down my throat.

Noah hummed before taking a sip from his own. He was silent for a few minutes as he just watched me, analyzing me.

I rolled my neck, uncomfortable under his scrutiny, waiting for him to continue.

Instead, I decided to break the silence. I’d overheard Sofia mention their name briefly that night, but despite my searches, their connection with Victor Morales was still a mystery.

“Have you ever heard of the name Barrera?” I asked.

He startled at my question. “No. Why are you asking?”