Page 35 of Unspoken Lies

“If you weren’t involved, I’m not going to hurt you, boy. I may be the boogeyman, but I’m not going to kill you for helping her,”he says.

“I think it was some equivalent of the date rape drug,” I say finally, blowing out a breath. “Jared told us that she screamed and he heard her as he was making the rounds through the speakeasy. Some big fuck, er guy, was trying to walk out with her.”

“Put him on speaker?” Jared asks, and I nod as I do that. “Jared here, sir. I think she was given the gum by a female for some reason. She wouldn’t have taken gum from a male. Lili has strong fuck off vibes.”

“Especially now,” Mr. Cruz mutters. “Did the guy get away?”

“No, one of our security guards is holding him for us,” Jared says. “I have the gum being tested. As her body started to shut down from the drug, I think she almost choked on it, so she spit it at me and said, ‘evidence.’”

“That’s my Lili,” Mr. Cruz sighs. “I got worried when I saw her location stated that she was at the hospital. I didn’t know you boys were living in town.”

“We decided on a different direction for college,” I tell him. “We’re going to stay with her until she wakes up and go from there.”

“Thank you. I know you’re on the outs, but it means a lot that you had her back,”he says.

“Of course,” Jared says. “We’ll have her call you.”

Mr. Cruz says goodbye and hangs up, and the three of us deflate. He’s a stressful man to speak to.

“Dad still scares you, huh?” Lili says weakly.

“You could have said something,” Elijah groans.

“It was more fun to watch you ‘yes, sir’ to my father,” she smirks.

Fucking shit stirrer.

IGNACIO

Blinking as I step out of the prison, I look around in awe. Freedom, you look real fucking good. I was in solitary confinement for a month, and then it was like nothing happened.

There wasn’t a visit from my father or my lawyer to tell me that I’d fucked up and was going to have my sentence extended. Retaliation was never sought for killing Colton either by the Aryan Nation.

My roommate told me that the rumors that he was a pedophile were circulated, so no one wanted to jump me for killing him. Still, I refused to get lax in my vigilance.

Today, I got a call from the warden of the prison that I was getting out. No fanfare, just get your shit and go.

I have my letters from Liliana in my hands as I amble out of the prison, tipping my head back to feel the nonexistent sun. Oregon is a fickle bitch, and I don’t even care. I swear, even the air smells and tastes better on the other side.

I will never take any of it for granted again, even if my life is ruined.

“Ignacio!” the gruff voice of my father has my head moving in his direction as the gate to the prison closes behind me. “How about a ride back to civilization,mijo?”

“Fuck yes,” I breathe, beginning to walk in his direction. He’s waiting by the SUV he bought when Julia and Rachelle joined our family, a small smile on his lips.

He appears to have aged in the time that I’ve been in jail. The January weather is frigid, and the sweatshirt that I’m wearing offers barely enough warmth for it. Yet, I don’t fucking care.

I’d much rather be caught in a blizzard than spend one more night in prison. I want to live and die by my principles, even though it didn’t save either of my girls.

“How is this possible?” I ask him.

“In the car, and we’ll discuss it,” he says curtly, his eyes moving past me to the prison. “I want to get the fuck out of here. What do you want for your first post prison meal?”

“The things I doubt you thought you’d ever say to your son,” I sigh, opening my arms first for a hug.

Dad’s lips part in a grin and he grabs me and pulls me tightly into an embrace.

“You’ve been missed, Ignacio,” he whispers. Patting my back hard, he sighs. “Let’s get this place in the rear view mirror as soon as possible, and I’ll tell you what I can.”