Locked Away (Living With Lies Book 2)

by Riann C. Miller

****

  I hear the apartment door open then slam shut, bringing me out of my thoughts. When I hear Alex storm past my room and into his, I wander out only to find him throwing things in a suitcase.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Kate thinks she knows where Isabelle is.”

  That was the last thing I expected Alex to say. My breathing picks up. “Why do you think that?”

  He continues tossing clothing into a bag. “Do you remember me telling you Kate’s been getting flowers delivered to the house?”

  I frown. I remember Gavin flipping out when he came home and found a huge vase filled with flowers for Kate. At the time, he assumed a guy Kate goes to school with had a crush on her, but she swore she had no idea where they came from. A couple of days later, another delivery was made. Gavin became concerned whoever was sending them might try to harm Kate. I vaguely remember Alex telling me something the other day, but sadly, I must have tuned out whatever he said.

  “What do those flowers have to do with Belle?”

  Alex’s eyes snap to mine. I started calling her Belle, like Kate, Gavin, and Callie a few months ago—at least, out loud. While she was here, she only told Alex and me that she preferred Isabelle, or even Izzy for short, and how she sincerely hates the name Belle.

  There was a short time when I felt privileged that she shared something with me that she didn’t share with Kate, but as my anger set in I started calling her Belle and the only person who noticed has been Alex.

  “The reason Gavin blew up when the first flowers arrived is the note said ‘Love always, Marcos’. The next note said ‘Love always, San’. But the third one arrived few days ago.” Alex swallows, watching me closely. “Kate knew Gavin was on edge with the flowers so she tossed them out, but thankfully she kept the cards.” He runs his hand over his face. “The last one said ‘Love always, Izzy’.” My eyes thin in confusion.

  Alex exhales through a long sigh. “Kate knows Belle’s real name is Isabelle but she didn’t know anyone called her Izzy. She asked me to come over then she showed me the third note. That’s when I knew.”

  “Knew what?” I shout in frustration.

  “That Isabelle is in San Marcos.”

  My eyes widen at his comment as a laugh escapes. “You can’t be serious.” I shake my head at his crazy behavior.

  “Dead serious,” Alex says in a voice that causes my laughter to die.

  “My sister left because she was protecting us. Somewhere over the last few months, you convinced yourself she left because she wanted to and that’s bullshit. I saw the way she looked at you.” Alex pauses, narrowing his eyes at me. “She was in love with you. She left to ensure nothing happened to the people she cared about.”

  I take a deep breath, attempting to calm myself. “It could be a trap. If she really did leave because something happened, then you could be walking straight into the very thing she tried to save you from.”

  Alex squares his shoulders. “But what if it’s her? What if she’s hurt and she needs me? I can’t go back to pretending my life is okay, wondering if my sister is in San Marcos somewhere waiting for one of us to help her.”

  Alex’s jaw ticks. “I missed out on twenty-two years of protecting my little sister. I’m not going to pass up the chance to do it now.” He holds my eyes for a beat before he goes back to packing his bag.

  Isabelle turned twenty-two not long ago, a day that Alex spent locked in his room. Without another word, I walk back to my room, pull out my cell, and dial Gavin. “Hey,” he says.

  “Do you think it’s her?” I question, trying my hardest to keep my voice from cracking.

  “I don’t know. Maybe?” My eyes painfully close. “Kate is positive it is. And ...” He pauses and breathes out a sigh. “She thinks Damian sent them. She believes Damian wants someone to go down to San Marcos and get Belle.”

  “But Damian never called her Izzy. She told me only that kid she grew up with did. That makes me think it’s probably him.” Voicing that aloud set my nerves on edge knowing that Alex is probably walking straight into a trap.

  “That’s actually why she’s convinced Damian is the one who sent them. If he were still alive and hiding, then he wouldn’t want to use the name Belle. Anyone who knows of Damian Paasch knows he has a daughter named Belle.”

  “No one would expect that Izzy is Belle,” I finish for him.

  “You were kind of zoned out on life when she left so I never told you, but I had the house completely checked and there was no security system installed, or at least, nothing more than the one that came with the house, and no bugs were found. Do you think she was lying?”

  “No.” My answer falls straight out of my mouth. Except for her last night here, I don’t think Isabelle lied about a thing, including the fact that she repeatedly told me she’d have to leave. “Someone must have told her that,” I grumble.

  Gavin huffs. “Have you looked online at all?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Damian’s business is being run by his second in command, Miguel Ramos, and his son, Manuel.” The hair on my arm stands up. “They’re doing business with people that have been at war with Damian for years and there’s rumors that they’re the ones who brought Damian down.”

  Manuel. That’s the boy Isabelle grew up with, the boy she claimed was her only friend.

  “I spoke to a friend back home. I think I might be here longer than I originally figured. If that’s a problem—”

  Shit. He’s probably the one who told her the house was bugged. That was the same day we went to the mall. “She spoke to Manuel while she was here,” I rush out. “Remember how I told you she bought a cell phone when she already had one? It was right after she called a friend back home.”

  Gavin stays quiet for several moments. “Reports online say that the Ramoses are in Poza Rica. San Marcos is nowhere near Poza Rica,” he adds.

  “Meaning?” I question when he doesn’t say anything else.

  “Meaning no one is setting up an exact time and place to meet. If the Ramoses are running Damian’s empire, then I don’t believe they’d have time to sit in a crappy town, hundreds of miles away, hoping someone not only understood what those fucking notes from the flowers meant but that someone would actually get on a plane and go there.” Gavin clears his throat and lowers his voice. “At this point, I’m more worried that Alex will go down there and not find anything. I’m not sure what that will do to him...or Kate.”

  I groan in frustration. “I agree.” I hear the apartment door open and close again. I get up and walk to the door to see Alex heading out to his car with the bag he was packing. “Shit, I think he’s actually leaving like right this minute.”

  “He’s coming here. He just called Kate and told her he’s on his way.”

  My voice shakes from nerves. “Let me know what they decide,” I add before disconnecting the call. I lay down on my bed, trying to relax my mind, all the while the letter in my desk starts calling my name.

  I didn’t read the letter six months ago when Isabelle left because there was nothing she could have said that would have taken away the pain I was feeling, but now...now I’m not sure. I’ve tried like hell to forget but her memory hasn’t faded, and if there’s a chance she’s hurt ...

  I breathe out a sigh and jump off my bed. I pull out the letter and run my fingers over the envelope. I flip it over and unseal it, and I try like hell to brace myself for what’s to come.

  Kiran,

  As a little girl, I often dreamed of meeting my own white knight. In my dreams, he’d ride up to my father’s gate and rescue me from living the forsaken life I was handed, but as I grew up. I discovered fairy tales only happen in books. At least, that’s what I thought until I met you.

  In such a short time, I fell madly and deeply in love with you, making you one of the few people I’d do anything for. I know you think I had a choice, but I didn’t. I have to go back. I have to live the life that was dealt to me because I f
ear the consequences if I don’t.

  I can’t thank you enough for showing me that white knights do exist, and know when I close my eyes at night, it will be your face I see as I welcome my dreams.

  Isabelle

  My hand shakes as I drop the letter on the desk. I pick up my desk chair and throw it as hard as I can against the wall. My chest rises and falls as I try my fucking best to control my anger.

  I lay down on my bed with my hands behind my head, wishing away the pain I feel. She meant every word she wrote. I feel it in my heart, something I’ve kept closed off since she left. What if Alex and Kate are right? What if Isabelle is out there somewhere and needs help? Will I be able to live with myself if I find out that’s the case and I didn’t try to help?

  Kiran

  I get my ass up and drive over to Gavin and Kate’s house. I hate the idea that Alex is about to take off to another country on a whim. So much could go wrong and Alex has grown on me to the point that he feels like family. This might be nothing more than a wild goose chase, but my gut and maybe even my heart is urging me to go with him.

  “I can’t fly down there. I need to drive,” Alex says, causing everyone to start talking over each other.

  “What the hell do you mean? Do you know how long it will take to get there if you drive? If she truly needs help then you need to get your ass there as soon as possible,” I growl.

  “She had to leave. Someone threatened us. Those same people could be watching. If you buy a plane ticket, it could send a red flag to the wrong people,” Kate snaps.

  “How do you know someone threatened her?” I fire back.

  “Because,” Kate screams in frustration, “she got a job and started dating you. Those are actions of someone who wanted to stay,” Kate groans. “She wouldn’t have left if she didn’t have to.”

  I know Kate believes that, but I find myself wondering if she left because that’s the only life she knows. Like an addict...she had to go back because she doesn’t know any other way to live.

  “She could have told us goodbye in person,” I state.

  “Would you have let her go?” Alex asks, not waiting for my reaction. “Because I wouldn’t have. I would...I would have gone with her,” he painfully states.

  “It will take you longer to get there but if you drive you can show up without anyone knowing you’re coming,” Kate adds. I haven’t even agreed to go with him, but she’s acting like I have.

  “I don’t know.” I run my hands through my hair.

  “I’m going. You’re either in or out, and now’s the time to decide because I’m not waiting any longer,” Alex snarls.

  I glance around the room while everyone waits for me to say something. “You don’t have to go, Kiran. It’s okay if you don’t want to,” Kate softly says. Kate heard about my date with Kami. As far as she’s concerned, I’ve moved on, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

  “I’m going,” I say, giving Kate a hard look. “I’m not convinced we’re going to find her, I’m not convinced we’re not walking into a trap but...if there’s a chance she needs help ...” I don’t finish my statement. If there’s a chance Isabelle is in danger and I don’t do everything in my power to ensure she’s safe, I’ll never forgive myself.

  “Make sure you pack your passport then get your ass to my car,” Alex says before walking out the front door. I nod my head and pat Gavin on the back before following Alex out the door.

  “Do you think this old thing can make the drive?” I ask, looking at his ten-year-old Honda Civic.

  “We could go in your flashy red sports car but something tells me Isabelle will be long gone before we have the chance to find her if we do,” Alex challenges before getting in the car. He’s right. We can’t drive into town in my car without gaining a lot of unwanted attention.

  “I need you to stop by the apartment. I’ll be quick.” I didn’t pack a bag or grab my passport before going to Gavin and Kate’s because I wasn’t sold on going. But right now, I’ve put my faith in the people around me and in the letter I read. Isabelle loved me, and after today, if I don’t ensure she’s safe, then every time I close my eyes at night, I’ll wonder what happened to her.

  ****

  “Let’s get the fuck out of this apartment for a while. We can go have a beer, maybe meet some chicks.” Alex’s comment causes me to cringe. Isabelle has been gone for over four months. I need to move on. I need to officially put her behind me, but for some reason, I can’t.

  “Nah, man. I’m not up for going out.”

  “You’re never up for going out.” He flashes me a look, almost a challenge to voice the real reason I don’t want to go with him. Without a word, I turn my head toward the TV.

  I can see Alex out of the corner of my eye. He’s tapping his foot on the floor. “You can’t put your life on hold, waiting for her to come back. I’ve lived like that before. The what ifs will start to escalate and your fear of the unknown will take over.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing.” I flinch when I realize I said that aloud.

  “Then what are you doing, Kiran? Because to me, it looks like you’re watching your life from the sidelines and not actually living it.” I ignore him, or at least, I try to.

  “I would give anything...anything...to see my sister again, and if I had any idea where she’s at, I’d be there in a heartbeat but that’s not the reality we’re living in. Life, unfortunately, goes on, Kiran, even when we don’t want it to.” I continue to ignore him until he finally walks off.

  I turn the TV off and walk to my room and climb in bed. My mind is spinning. She let me fall for her and then she left without even telling me goodbye. I groan. Alex is right. I’m not fooling anyone except myself because I have been waiting for her to return, but no more...It’s time I force myself to move on.

  ****

  Twenty hours—without stopping—is how long it takes to drive from Denver to San Marcos. Alex and I traded off driving and sleeping but once we passed the border both our nerves spiked.

  When we finally arrived in San Marcos, it was clear we should have thought about our next move because now we’re in a crappy little town in the middle of nowhere Mexico with no clue what to do next.

  As we made our way into town, we passed a few nicer houses and even a decent looking motel, but for the most part, this town is shithole.

  “Maybe we should make ourselves comfortable. Act like we’re just here for a night or two while we pass through.”

  “Seriously?” I hiss.

  “We’ll stand out. Hopefully, he’ll hear we’re here because we can’t go around asking about her.”

  I groan, knowing he’s right. If Isabelle is in this shitty town and not back in her hometown, then there has to be a reason.

  “Okay.”

  Ten minutes later, we’re checking into the nice motel, which turns my stomach. The room doesn’t look like it’s been cleaned in months, the bed wasn’t even made, and the shower water is a disgusting shade of brown.

  “We need to get out and be seen. There was a bar down the road. I think we should start there first,” Alex says, still taking in the room.

  “Yeah, sure.” I’m more than ready to get the hell out of this place.

  We walk down the road to a bar where no one speaks one word of English. Somehow we manage to order two beers then we’re left alone. “I’m really regretting not paying attention in my Spanish class in high school.” Alex frowns.

  I chuckle. “I took French.”

  “A lot of good that’s going to do us.”

  We sit for hours, slowly drinking. People stare but no one says a word to us. Sometime after the sun sets, we make our way back to our room, where we stay for the rest of the night.

  “I can’t sleep. This place fucking smells,” Alex complains. “It smells like something died and rotted away in here.” I don’t respond. Something probably did die in this room but all I can think about is Isabelle.

  In the last six months when I
thought about her, I pictured her in a fancy mansion living off cartel money. What I didn’t picture was this godforsaken place. I secretly hoped that Kate and Alex were right. That Isabelle left to protect us, but after being here, it’s hard to stomach the idea that she’s been living in this type of hell for the last six months.

  We take turns dozing off for short periods at a time, and then we get up the next day and walk through town. With our blond hair, we both stick out like a sore thumb. We’re definitely tourist but this isn’t a tourist city. As the sun sets the next day, we return to the god-awful room we’re staying in and are forced to make a decision. Stay or go. After two days, we’re no closer to knowing where she is and not a soul has spoken to us outside of trying to sell us something.

  “Maybe we should get back out on the highway and drive to the next town?” I can hear the desperation in his voice.

  “If that’s what you want to do.”

  “Does that mean you don’t?”

  “I don’t know,” I hiss. “I want to know she’s okay just as much as you but what are we accomplishing? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  Alex jumps to his feet and looks me straight in the eyes. “Do you love her?” His question causes my heart to race. “Do you love my sister? It’s a very simple question.”

  My anger spikes. “I’m here, aren’t I?” I turn and give Alex my back as I try to gain some control over my emotions. I don’t know if I love Isabelle. I think I do...then some days I think I hate her for leaving, but even when those thoughts pop into my head, I know I wouldn’t care that she left if I didn’t love her at least on some level.

  “We’ll leave in the morning.” Alex flips the light off and climbs into bed.

  All night we toss and turn. I don’t think I slept for more than ten minutes at a time. The next morning, we get up, change our clothing, and are ready to get the hell out of here when we spot a letter shoved under the door. Alex looks over at me for a second before grabbing the envelope and ripping it open.

  His eyes flare. “She’s here.” My heart speeds up as I take the letter from him. The only thing on the damn paper is an address.