Page 28

In his defense, his focus has been split in a million different directions, but this was a pretty epic failure. I can’t find it in myself to be upset about it. I would rather have her alive, with me, in a position where I can better protect her.

And God, am I tired of living without her. Having Rachelle at her worst is better than believing that she’s cold under the ground. Shuddering, I realize that there are tears on my cheeks, and brush them away.

“You’re still keeping secrets,” I say, calling him out. “Maybe you should write them down or something. Seems as if you’re having a hard time keeping track of it all.”

“ That’s cute. How is she?” Mr. Emil asks.

“I’m taking her to my house,” I state. “She ran into Ignacio’s body at full force, and he caught her. Rachelle was so shocked, she passed out.”

“ Fuck ,” he says explosively. “ I don’t know what to do anymore, Lili.”

“I do,” I say, even though I plan to wing it. “I’m driving home now. The fuckheads are in my trunk. I’ll have Rachelle call you later.”

“I don’t deserve that, but thank you ,” he says tiredly.

“Everything was a mess when the world was told Rachelle was dead,” I say in a whisper. “Don’t count yourself out. As furious as I am, you saved her life.”

“ Ignacio still went to prison and we all left you alone,” he says.

“No, Ignacio was alone, I had you and Dad,” I say shortly before hanging up, feeling choked up. Fuck, I wouldn’t be standing here without either of them.

Opening the vehicle’s driver door, I climb in and toss my phone into the cupholder.

“Was that my dad?” Nacio asks, smoothing back Rachelle’s hair. Glancing back at him, I nod.

“She texted him before she cut and ran,” I say, closing my door and pushing the ignition. My voice is dull and lifeless, only giving him the facts. My emotions are bubbling under the surface. There’s so much that I’m feeling, but I can’t give into it.

Not yet.

“Her skin is so soft,” he whispers. “I used to dream about it.”

I’m not jealous. How could I be? He dreamed of both of us to stay sane in prison. Weaker men than Nacio have come out broken, but not him. The time in solitary confinement, in the dark without any sound, allowed him to create a better world where he had us.

Now, he doesn’t have to pretend anymore.

Trembling fingers touch my lips as I suck in air, and I suddenly worry that I won’t be able to drive.

“Lili,” Ignacio growls, getting my attention. Twisting to look at him, I raise my brow. “I know. Fuck, it’s completely surreal. It’s okay to feel something, a lot of things. You don’t have to shut everything off.”

My eyes cut back to the two of them in the backseat, and he nods.

“They’ll be out of your house soon enough,” he says. “Take another breath for me, that’s my good girl. Let’s get through this. Find the balance for me, Liliana.”

Nodding with a sharp gasp, I turn around to face the steering wheel and check my mirrors before putting the car in reverse. I swear, it feels as if I’m moving in slow motion, but I don’t want to crash. While this thing is built like a tank, it’ll suck to have to deal with delays.

Once I’m on the road, it’s easier to concentrate, though I bite my lip at the thought of taking the guys through the garage. You know what, fuck that. Parking on the side of the road in front of my house, I open the trunk with a touch of a button.

“Out,” I command, smirking as they get out like good little puppies. Although, they look very naughty as they pout at me. “Stay. I’ll open the front door when I’m good and ready.”

I’m already driving again as the trunk closes, driving around the corner as Nacio laughs silently.

“You have a knack for degrading men, Liliana,” he says. “Don’t ever change. That was fucking awesome.”

His eyes move back over to Rachelle, his mirth draining from his face as I click a button on my phone to open the garage.

“She’s still asleep,” he murmurs.

“It’s got to be such a shock to her system to see us all again,” I remind him as I shut the door behind us.

It’ll be all I can hope for that she doesn't wake up screaming.

Walking through my security system with Nacio as he carries Rachelle feels as if it takes forever, even though I know it hasn’t. The guys are waiting for me on my front stoop as Ignacio makes himself and Rachelle comfortable on the couch.

Her lashes are fluttering as I let them in, pointing at the wall outside of her view with a glare as I relock my door.

“Not a word,” I hiss, waiting as the three of them nod with wide eyes. Pulling off my jacket, I know that my gun is very prominently displayed as I turn my back to them.

The tone I’m using is the one that makes grown criminals shit themselves. I am not playing with them right now.

Rachelle sighs, showing signs of waking up as I walk over and squat beside her and Ignacio. She’s draped over his body as he lays on the couch, his face not immediately visible. He’s playing it smart, worried she’ll flip her shit if she sees him.

I don’t know if Mr. Emil told her that his son is out of prison, and the shock is what made her faint, after all.

Playing it safe is best in the short term.

As Rachelle’s confused blue-green eyes open, I smile gently at her.

“Hey, beautiful,” I whisper, my voice full of emotion. I don’t have to shut down for her, I can be myself. She doesn’t know the cold, unfeeling monster that I’ve had to become since she left the world with her light.

If she heard the mafia enforcer tone I gave the guys, I doubt she’d believe I’m me. I wouldn’t blame her either. I’ve changed a lot.

“Lili?” she asks, eyes wide. “Am I dreaming or have I finally cracked and I’m in an institution?”

“I’m here, baby. No one will ever send you away,” I say, forcing my voice to stay gentle.

I need to speak to her step-father, because we are going to have words if he’s ever threatened her with that.