Page 52 of Unspoken Lies

“Oh, please wear gloves when you open this,” I add with a wince, handing it to him. Nothing is ticking inside of the bag either. I already put it up to my ear to listen.

I’m feeling really fucking paranoid, but this could be a big help in tracking downel Tigre.Mr. Emil has people on staff who will test everything to find where he lives based on what is on the actual bag, as well as how he’s transporting the product.

It’s so damn complicated, but I really am hoping that we can figure it out. Santiago takes the bag and books it, walking quickly away from me to where his car is located at the end of the alley.

Nodding as I watch him drive away, I continue down the road, knowing that eventually, Ignacio will catch up to me. The shadows are creeping along the street, the streetlights on now. It’s now fully dark, the world beginning to quiet.

I really enjoy experiencing this part of the day, and tend to run in the morning or around this time. I already had my morning run, since my schedule was full today so I’m set.

I haven’t seen heads nor tails of the Kings in the past few weeks, and I’m pretty happy about that. Ignacio has more than paid any debts to them, they can fuck all the way off.

My ankle threatens to roll over an uneven section of the sidewalk, causing me to curse under my breath as I catch myself. Shaking my head, I glance up to find a girl running across the street barefoot.

“What the fuck—” I whisper, craning my neck to see her better. Her small frame, long dark hair, fuck even her hips are familiar and tears threaten to fill my eyes. “Why are you running…”

My answer is given to me as three large men in masks stomp after the terrified girl.

I beg your finest fucking pardon. Not today. Giving chase, I’m grateful for the fact that I never miss a run.

RACHELLE

The rattling of my door makes me swallow hard, but it’s when I hear their voices that I know I’m fucked.

“Rachel, Rachelle, who fucking knows who you are. You hurt your boss, and there are consequences to that,” Jared yells.

My door has two locks and a sliding bolt lock, but something tells me that won’t keep the Kings out. Breathing hard, I look down at my pajamas and grab the first things from the clean laundry that I find to change into.

As terrified as I am of going outside, the men out there are fucking feral. Cruel, callous, evil creatures. They almost killed me once, what is to keep them from doing it again?

My heart is pounding as my hands shake, and I pull off my pants to put on a pair of black leggings. Next, I pull on a sweatshirt as quickly as possible and pull on socks. Looking around in panic, I remember that my shoes are in my bedroom.

Fuck, this is what trying to be semi neat gets me! I recently finished a load of laundry in the basement of the building, I can’t imagine what would have happened if they had caught me coming back up.

I need to go.

The door’s locks are turning one by one, and I’m trying not to dissolve into a puddle of fear. They have no idea how much I struggle from day to day to function. Truthfully, it’s none of their goddamned business. Picking up my phone, I text my stepfather. I won’t be taking this with me.

Me:

911, flying the coop. Love you. Thank you for everything.

It may seem melodramatic, but I don’t know why they’re coming so hard for me. The guys said themselves that it’s because I attacked Elijah, but he scared the shit out of me. I reacted without thinking.

Turning, I shove open the window and force my legs out so that I can reach the fire escape. I’m going to need to walk along the siding and then jump. I’d rather take my chances outside than here.

Isn’t that a mind fuck?

My legs threaten to sag in fear, but I’m going to fall and break things if they do. Forcing myself to be strong, I think of Ignacio and Liliana. They’re both so much better than I am. They have always lived without fear.

I fucked up their lives. I’m the problem.

Holding onto the side of the building now that I’m finally out the window, I don’t bother to close it as I gaze down. The world would be better without me, but I’m not giving it the satisfaction of offing myself tonight.

Forcing my feet to shuffle to the right, I shiver as the wind whips along the street. The door opens only to get caught on the sliding bolt, and I gasp as I continue along. My vision is blurry as tears threaten to overflow my eyes, but I open them as wide as possible.

I can’t fall apart. I’m going to get out. Too many people have sacrificed their lives for me to be able to live. Too many are mourning a death I escaped.

Grabbing the railing, I climb up and over it without looking behind me before I’m running down the stairs.