Page 81 of Unspoken Lies

Emil:

There is no reason you can’t under your pseudonym until I can get you cleared from the bet with the Kings Society. I’m calling you.

A second later,the phone rings, and I move to my bedroom instead to answer.

“Hello,” I say, dropping onto my bed.

“Buenas tardes,” Emil says. “I’m currently collecting favors with some of the members of the Kings Society. I’m ensuring that I have the things they need, and biding my time.”

“Do you really want to waste favors on me?” I ask, making a face.

“I’m going to pretend that you didn’t say that,”he grumbles. “You’re an important part of my family. The world has gone to shit without you in it. We aren’t even going to discuss your mother at the moment.”

Gazing unseeingly at the wall, I nod. Mom is currently at a retreat in Bali because she can’t handle reminders of me. She told Emil that all she can think about is how she failed me. I don’t believe she did, not anymore.

We all do the best we can with what we’re given, and the world is really fucking cruel.

“I want my wife back,”Emil growls. “You have to be safe before that can happen, though. So yes, I do need to trade all the favors I can gather to bring that to fruition.”

No one else knows where Mom is right now. It’s to prevent people from talking shit as much as it is to give her privacy. It’s no one’s business, but it also allows Emil to do what he needs to while knowing she’s safely tucked away. I don’t want to think about what she’s going to say or think when she finds out where I’ve actually been.

I hope that she can forgive us all.

“Okay,” I mumble. “I suppose the game plan is giving up my lease and moving in with Lili and Nacio. I don’t really have much to take with me. I’m hoping it’ll give me a better schedule to keep. I definitely won’t go hungry.”

“Don’t joke about that,”Emil mutters. He’s very grumpy today. “When are you seeing those boys again?”

“Ugh, I don’t know. They tend to find me,” I admit.

“Well don’t take any of their shit,mija,”he says. “You give them hell. There will be no people pleasing. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” I say with a little salute he can’t see.

Emil chuckles under his breath, saying, “Alright, Miss Sasshole. That’s the attitude I want you to give the rest of the world. Enjoy your day.”

Saying goodbye, I still have a smile on my lips as I walk to the bathroom and shower. Somehow, he helps me feel better when my life feels out of control.

Wrapped in a towel, I chuckle as I see Lili has relocated to the bedroom to begin packing up my clothes and things.

“Someone is excited,” I tease as I poke through the clothes on the bed where she’s packing to pull out underwear, a bra, and a long sleeved dress with tights. February is a chilly month in California.

“I’m a little more excited about what’s under the towel,” she says with a smirk, turning to sit on the bed so she can watch me.

Rolling my eyes, I let it drop slowly, enjoying her eyes on me as I cover my body up. Seems a bit wrong when her hooded eyes are so heated, but we’ll never leave if I don’t.

“You can undress me later,” I say with a giggle, reaching over to help her pack. Her hands grab my ass, pulling me into her lap and not at all helping the situation.

The sound of a knock on the door makes me freeze, and I bite my lip as I glance over my shoulder.

“Who would that be?” I mutter, listening to the knock continue. “I’m not expecting anyone, and that doesn’t sound like the guys. It’s ridiculous that I know the way they knock.”

“It’s too forceful,” she agrees. “If they wanted in, they’d just break in. This is weird."

Getting up, I walk to the door tentatively. My anxiety is telling me something bad will happen if I open the door, but I can feel Liliana at my back.

“I’m texting Mr. Emil,” she says. “If it’s a really overzealous delivery person then so be it. I’m not taking chances with your safety.”

Looking through the peephole, I see two police officers standing beside three men. I’m still confused and even more terrified than before.