Page 99 of Unspoken Lies

Pulling away, I smirk at Emil. “I think it makes him look distinguished. It’s not a bad look.”

“What do you need?” he asks seriously.

“I hate to say this, but I need to sit. My muscles aren’t liking me right now,” I say with a wince as they begin to tremble.

It’s such a betrayal when your body doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.

Helping me to the couch, Emil grabs a blanket to cover me with.

“Things are going to have to happen to help you get healthy again,” he says, crouching next to me so that he’s not towering over me. “You need to eat regularly and exercise, and the apartment clearly isn’t an option anymore.”

“I was in the middle of packing when the police came,” I remind him.

“I know, which is why this is all so unfortunate. We had to make a plan in advance for your release. I don’t want you to think we’re telling you what to do. You’ve been through a lot, and processing and healing through that isn’t going to be easy,” he says.

“I really have to live here?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.

“It’s not like it’s a roach hotel,” Jared complains, sitting on the other side of the couch.

“Of course not, husband,” I say sweetly. “I would say it’s not my home, but I appear to be homeless.”

“Unfortunately,” Lili says. “I packed up your things and then Mr. Emil broke your lease since it’s not a viable option for you to live in anymore.”

“The judge is adamant that you have to live here though,” Emil says apologetically.

“Which means so are we,” Ignacio adds as Jared and Theo sigh.

“I had a feeling you were going to invite yourselves over,” Jared mumbles. “At least there are extra rooms. Calvin’s NDA covers everyone who stays here, which means he won’t say a word.”

“Not that I would want to,” Calvin says, standing in the doorway. I have no idea how long he’s been there, I’ve been so focused on the conversation. “It is very nice to see you, Rachelle. I don’t hear as much of the gossip, but I did see a very disturbing obituary a couple of years ago.”

“Just a little faked death,” I say uncomfortably. “It would be nice if my life was less exciting.”

“I heard your throat may be sore,” he says, holding paperwork that has to be from the hospital in his hands. I can’t find it in me to be embarrassed about it so I simply nod, feeling exhausted again. “I was thinking about preparing some protein smoothies ahead of time for you. Your sleep schedule may be off for a while. I can see your eyes are heavy already.”

“They are,” I admit, yawning. My hand covers my mouth as I make a face, annoyed that I can’t stay awake. “Smoothies sound lovely, thank you. My throat still hurts.”

“This says you had a feeding tube for three weeks,” he says, beginning to get angry as I drop my hand to my lap. “That place is full of monsters.”

There are more voices that begin to speak, asking about what else is on the post care paperwork, but I’m already drifting away again.

CHAPTER 24

One Week Later

THEO

Jared finds me sitting on the edge of our property, overlooking the cliff as I get some space and quiet from the house. Mr. Reyes even refused to leave, and has been conducting his business in our house.

The only upside is that he’s discussing having Lili’s father bring down Dr. Michaels so we can all get our licks in before he gets put down for good. Mr. Cruz also misses his daughter, so it’ll work out. Ugh, another fucking person in our damn house.

“Taking a break, huh?” he murmurs.

“Yeah, it’s not just the amount of people in our house. It’s large enough that I can get by,” I mumble.

I also have ghosts living in my space now. Ignacio with his stupid hot body and cum gutters keep mocking me because the man refuses to wear a shirt. The deep vee points straight to his dick, and his grey sweatpants may as well be a pair of speedosfor as much as they hide exactly nothing. I think he does it on purpose, at least his smirk tells me he does.

I shouldn’t think about him like this, not after everything that’s happened, but it’s the worst kind of edging to still be attracted to him. After everything, I don’t hate Ignacio, I just miss what we had.