by Lisa Cardiff
“Can you meet me this week?” I asked the minute Evan disappeared around the corner.
“I’m sorry, Ryker, but I can’t.” She shook her head. “It’s not a good idea.”
“You said you missed me. Was that a lie?” My voice was intentionally soft, but it didn’t mask the anger burning beneath the surface. Rationally, I understood why she didn’t want to meet me. I knew what I did to her. If she stopped to think about it for a second and pushed all of her emotions aside, she’d run from Evan and me.
“No,” she snapped. “But I need some space. I’m confused. I don’t understand why you’re here—”
“Because I was invited,” I retorted, curling my hands into fists at my sides.
“Exactly. Why the hell were you invited to my engagement party? Why the hell do you have two names? Why the hell are you in the United States? None of this makes sense.”
“I’ll explain all of it later.” I kept my voice perfectly smooth and controlled. I didn’t know what I’d tell her. It couldn’t be the whole truth. I wanted to keep her sheltered from the reality of the way my world worked.
“Later?” She scoffed. “Just like you explained everything that happened in Mexico.”
I winced inwardly. “No. I’ll tell you everything I can.” I always added a qualifier to my answers. In my line of work, it was a necessary evil. I envied people who inhabited the world of black and white. I lived in a world colored with a thousand shades of gray. A world where black was white, and white was black. Hattie would never understand.
“I’ve heard that before.” Her golden eyes narrowed briefly. “I know what that means. You won’t tell me a damn thing.”
I couldn’t force this right now. She needed time to process everything. I plucked my wallet from my back pocket and handed her a business card. “Call me when you’re ready to talk.”
She glared at the card, and for a minute, I didn’t think she’d take it. “I’ll think about,” she said, ripping the card out of my hand and crumbling it inside of her fist.
“You do that.” I crossed the study, my leather loafers echoing on the herringbone wood floor. Everything about Senator Deveron’s house screamed of pretentious elegance. Crystals dripped from oversized chandeliers. Pristine white wood paneling covered the walls. A spiral staircase with a sweeping gilded railing greeted guests in the entry. It was all very Vegas, which was fitting. That’s where he got his start. He owned a casino in Las Vegas before the people of Nevada elected him to be their Senator. Too bad the tentacles of the criminal underworld were firmly embedded in Senator Deveron. He voted in accordance with their interests rather than those of his constituents. “But if you take too long, I’ll come find you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I winked. “You know exactly what it means. We’ve been down this road many times before.”
Chapter Six
Hattie
“Vera,” I sighed as I stood up from the table and I wrapped my arms around her.
I invited her to lunch this afternoon. After weeks of avoiding her, I finally decided enough was enough.
I expected to see her at my engagement party two days ago, but she was noticeably absent. Clearly, my mom had a firm hand in the invitation process and neglected to invite her. She never liked my best friend.
At first, I was pissed at my mom, but then I realized it was my fault Vera didn’t receive an invitation to the party. I’d spent the last few weeks wallowing in my personal pity party, which gave my mom the opening she needed to sink her claws into my life again. I’d worked hard over the last six years to forge my own path. I couldn’t stand the thought of everything I’d done crumbling because I’d lost the will to fight for myself.
The meddling in my life had to stop, which meant I had to take control and stop being a victim. This morning, I exercised for the first time since I had returned from Mexico, and now was going to eat lunch with my best friend. Just those simple steps made me feel more like myself than I had in weeks. I had a plan. I had a schedule. I would be okay. I could do this.
“I’m so mad at you,” she declared as she returned my hug.
“I know. I’m a shitty friend. I don’t have a good excuse for avoiding you.” I released her and took a step back, a faint smile on my face.
She waved her hand at me, dismissing my comment. “I can’t hold it against you. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through over the last two months. One minute you were talking to that guy, and thirty minutes later, I couldn’t find you. I scoured that bar and every bar within walking distance until three in the morning. Eventually, I went back to the hotel.”
“I know. I’m sure you were losing your mind. I’m sorry I put you through that.” I settled into my chair at the table.
Vera slipped into the seat across from me. She eyed me warily for a few prolonged seconds. I focused on anything and nothing to avoid the intensity of her stare. With trembling hands, I lifted my napkin and placed it on my lap, taking far too long to arrange it.
She cleared her throat and planted her elbows on the edge of the table. “Do you want to talk about what happened?” She sucked her raspberry-stained lower lip into her mouth. “I’m fine either way. You can tell me everything, nothing, or a little bit in between.”
My stomach twisted. I missed Vera. She accepted me without judgment. I shouldn’t have waited so long to talk to her. I needed her, and I needed our friendship, particularly now. “How much do you know?”
“Not a lot. I called your dad the next afternoon when I realized you weren’t coming back.”
My eyes flared. “I can’t imagine that conversation went over very well.”
She shook her head. “No, it didn’t. He freaked. After that day, your dad called me twice. The first time he told me you’d been abducted, and the second time he told me they had successfully negotiated your release. He didn’t give me any details. Nobody knows anything. Evan hasn’t breathed a word to his friends either.”
“You asked them?”
She twisted a strand of her long red hair around her finger. “Of course.”
“I thought you hated them.”
“I did. I still do.” She took a sip of ice water. “They didn’t know anything except that you and Evan are back together.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that true?”
I shifted in my seat. Then, I exhaled and held out my hand. Sunlight bounced off my engagement ring. “Actually, we’re engaged.”
Her eyes flickered to the two-carat square diamond ring glittering on my finger. “Oh, I didn’t realize. Nobody told me.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. I should have told you immediately.”
She shrugged her shoulders, but it looked robotic…forced. “This is the first time we’ve talked other than by text. I understand.” Her eyes darted around the restaurant as she fiddled with the prongs of her fork. “Can I help with the engagement party?”
“Evan’s parents hosted the engagement party two days ago. My mom handled the invitations.”
Carefully avoiding my eyes, she nodded, accepting my excuse without complaint. She knew my mom wouldn’t invite her, but it didn’t nullify my behavior. I’d been a bad friend, and I wanted to make it up to her.
“Tell me about it. Was it nice?” she asked, but I could tell she didn’t care about the answer. My inability to get my shit together hurt her. I’d alienated my only true friend.
I swallowed over the lump growing in my throat with alarming efficiency. “No,” I admitted. “I hated it. I hated the flowers. I hated the food. I don’t want to marry him.”
Her eyes snapped to mine. “Why? What are you saying?”
“Evan was waiting for me when they released me—”
“Wait,” she interrupted. “When who released you?”
I sucked in a weighted breath. “The Vargas Cartel. From what I pieced together, they abducted me as leverage to secure the release of Ignacio’s son from a U.S. prison.”
�
��Ignacio?”
“Ignacio is the head of the Vargas Cartel,” I clarified. “I guess they’d been watching me for a while. As the attorney general, my dad can influence the pardon process. That’s why they took me. They wanted to force the U.S. government to release Ignacio’s son.”
Vera’s mouth opened and closed at least three times before she spoke. “Did they hurt you?”
I didn’t know how to answer that question. People asked me that same question so many times in so many ways I’d lost count. She scanned my face looking for clues, or scars, or whatever people thought they could see.
My eyes dropped to my lap, and I brushed my hand over the faint pink scar on my neck. Ignacio had nicked my neck with a knife during a live video conference with Evan and his dad. Ignacio’s assault scared me, but my relationship with Ryker damaged me deep down where Ignacio never could. He made me want him. Crave him. Need him.
I smirked, but the action felt forced and unnatural. “I’m still alive. That’s all that matters.”
“Have you told anyone what happened?”
I shook my head, trying to erase the conflicting emotions, rising like a tidal wave from my gut. “No.”
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” She placed her hand on the base of her throat, her green eyes suspiciously glossy. “I won’t judge you or think differently of you. No matter what happened or what you did to survive, you’ll always be my best friend. I promise.”
“I know you wouldn’t judge me, but I’m not ready to talk about it.” I waved away the waitress as she approached our table. I needed to ask Vera something before I lost my nerve. “Right now I need something else from you.”
“What’s that?”
I cast a glance around the restaurant, making sure I didn’t know any of the other patrons. I selected a little-known restaurant, but my family and Evan’s family had a large circle of acquaintances. I needed to be careful. I didn’t want any of this to get back to Evan before I had a chance to talk to him. “Can I move into your apartment?”
“Of course,” she responded without hesitation. “You’re always welcome to stay with me. You’re my best friend.”
Smiling, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s only temporary until I find an alternative, but I need to get out of Evan’s apartment, and I can’t go home. My mom is determined to see me marry Evan. She won’t stop.”
She scooted to the edge of her chair. “Are you going to break off your engagement?”
“Yes. I can’t marry him. I think I’m in love with someone else.” I cringed inwardly, and I lowered my gaze, afraid to see her reaction. In all honesty, I didn’t know what I felt for Ryker. Part of me suspected I could love Ryker. He made my blood sing and my body hum. The other part of me believed our connection revolved around sex, and not even sex wrapped in a nice, neat bow with the façade of romance and sweet murmurings.
“Hold on.” She waved her hand, and the corners of her eyes crinkled as she scrunched her face in surprise. “I think I missed something. Who do you think you’re in love with?”
“This is the part I don’t want to talk about.” My eyes flickered to the side, avoiding eye contact as my insides flamed with shame and more than a little uncertainty. I took a bite of the crusty bread, but it stuck in my throat. “I can’t talk about it. Not yet.” I looked at her, silently pleading with her to understand. “Okay?”
Her lips puckered like she sucked a lemon. “I don’t like this, Hattie. I don’t like this at all.”
My throat convulsed as I swallowed. “You don’t have to like it. I don’t like it either, but I need your support.”
“What kind of support?”
“A two-week date with your air mattress, maybe less. That’s it. I can’t live with Evan while I sort out what’s going on inside my head. He keeps pushing me for more, and I can’t give him anything right now or ever.”
She rubbed her temples, studying me without comment. Then, she reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand. It felt like the vice grip had loosened around my heart. I made another step in the right direction. I was taking control of my future…my life.
“Okay,” she whispered. “But I’m only doing this because I don’t want you to end up miserable and married to Evan or his clone.”
“Neither do I.” Unfortunately, I didn’t know if choosing Ryker would make me happy either, but I knew Evan wouldn’t. “Somebody once warned me not to settle for mediocrity while I still had the ability to chase my dreams.”
Vera raised her eyebrows, her face lit up with interest. “Who told you that?”
I tapped my fingers on the table, debating what to tell her. I went with the truth. “Ignacio Vargas.”
Chapter Seven
Ryker
I threw my phone onto my kitchen counter. Not only did I have to deal with Rever’s non-stop grousing about finding a way to smuggle his pregnant girlfriend out of Mexico, but Hattie hadn’t called me in the seven days since her engagement party. I didn’t want to push too hard, but I would if necessary.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Rever sauntered out of my guest bedroom, looking nothing like his usually polished self. When did he shower last? His dark hair hung in clumps, sticking to the side of his face. His stubble had officially turned into a beard a few days ago, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.
“Can’t you buy your own clothes?” Rever didn’t hesitate to make himself at home in my apartment. He wore my clothes. He ate my food. He drove my car. “What’s next? Are you going to borrow my toothbrush?” I barked, motioning to my jeans and worn black t-shirt.
“Fuck you. I don’t like doing laundry and I don’t have any money. Ignacio canceled my credit cards and closed my bank accounts.”
“How did he do that? Don’t you have passwords?”
Rever snorted. “You can do anything in Mexico when you have money.”
I smirked. “Right. How could I forget?”
Mexico suffered from a culture of systemic bribery. One summer while staying with my dad, I decided I wanted a Mexican driver's license. I slipped the government clerk ten dollars. I bypassed the written exam and walked out with a license ten minutes later. The same thing happened every time a police officer pulled me over for a traffic violation.
I opened the refrigerator and snagged a beer. “Do you want one?”
“No. I don’t drink.”
My brows furrowed. “Since when?”
Rever rocked back on his heels. “Since I met Anna. She doesn’t like it when I drink.”
“What about drugs?” I said under my breath.
“I stopped taking those too.”
I studied him, inspecting his body language for any indication he was lying to me. Interesting. He looked sincere. This had to be a first. The Rever from my childhood was a sarcastic asshole who only told the truth when it helped him. Maybe the month he spent in prison had changed him for the better. Regardless, I didn’t have any intention of fully lowering my guard around him. After all, Ignacio groomed him, and Ignacio was a master manipulator. A Machiavellian strategist.
“Have you talked to Anna?”
“I just hung up with her.” He looked pained.
I raised my eyebrows. “And?”
“There’s no way she can make it to that tunnel in Sonora. Her dad has relocated her to the house on Isla Mujeres. He thinks the Vargas Cartel plans to hurt her.”
I exhaled loudly, hanging my head in my hands. “Maybe she should come clean and explain her situation. It might be the only option. I’m not going to break into a house on that island. I wouldn’t walk out of there alive. Neither of us would. It would be a death march.”
Isla Mujeres was a four-mile island located off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. Smuggling someone from that island would be a logistical nightmare. There wasn’t a quick getaway plan.
Rever punched the wall. It echoed through my apartment like a gunshot, and drywall dust coated his knuckles. “We have to try. I’m not goi
ng to abandon her and my unborn child.”
I chuckled even as my blood boiled. I didn’t owe Rever shit. I already saved him from himself once. I didn’t need to do it again. I sympathized with Anna. I wished the reality of the situation were different. “This is your mess. I don’t have time for this right now.”
Rever rose to his full height, squared his shoulders, and cocked his head. “If we don’t help her, they’ll kill her. Are you okay with them killing your unborn niece or nephew?”
“Now you want to claim me as part of your family?” My voice dripped with derision. I raked my hand across my chest. “You have some fucking nerve pulling the family card now.” As kids, Rever never missed an opportunity to tell me I wasn’t part of his family. That I’d never be part of his real family. According to him, we shared blood, but nothing else.
“You’re all I have.” He had this hopeless, hollow look in his eyes full of fear, fear of the unknown, and fear of the known. I knew that look. That’s how I felt when I threw Hattie out of my life and back into Evan’s open arms. I fucking hated that prick.
Gritting my teeth, I clenched my hand around my beer bottle so hard my knuckles whitened. My phone—the one reserved strictly for business of Ryker Vargas, not Ry Fallon—rang, saving me from answering. Only past and potential clients had the number. I slipped the phone out of my pocket. “I need to take this call.”
Rever briefly closed his eyes, then he rolled his shoulders back and retreated to my guest bedroom. I couldn’t get him away from me and out of my life fast enough.
“Ryker Vargas,” I said, my voice clipped.
“It’s Senator Deveron.”
I didn’t say anything for a moment. I had no intention of doing jobs for him anymore, but refusing a job from him wouldn’t be easy.
“How can I help you?”
Labored breathing hummed in my ear. “We have a problem.”
“Really? How do you figure?”
“Hattie broke off the engagement with Evan.”
My heart stalled in my chest, and then it started beating riotously. Thank God. “Sounds like Evan has a problem, not me. I completed the job. I’ve been paid. We’re done.”