Filthy Liar (The Heights #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

RAVEN

A sharp slap landed on my cheek, startling me awake and making me blink against the light. My wrists hurt from the rough rope rubbing them raw when I’d tried escaping earlier, and my ass was going numb from sitting on the solid wooden chair for so long.

I hadn’t meant to doze off, but Dante had taken me hours ago, and it was starting to get late.

“Wake the fuck up,” Dante growled, fisting my hair and yanking my head back to make me look at him, his emotionless eyes burning into me. “You’re going to confess it all to Ander, and then you’re going to take whatever punishment he gives you.”

“He’s coming here?” I asked, my throat dry and making me cough. My head hurt, my lip was swollen, and I had a hint of panic about what he might have done to me while I was knocked out on the way here.

I’d woken up tied to the chair, my jeans unbuttoned with the top of my ass hanging out. Reid and I had fucked like animals, so I had no idea if the discomfort I was feeling was from him, or some kind of sick punishment from Dante.

“Of course. It’s his right to punish you himself,” he spat, making me wince as he forcefully shoved my tender head forward before releasing my hair.

“What did he say when you told him I was here?”

“It’s a surprise for him. Let me ask you something, Raven. Have you seen him tear a limb from a body with nothing but a kitchen knife? I have. I was skeptical about him when Papa first brought him into the family business, but he impressed me. He can remove an eye from its socket without blinking, castrate a man without hesitation, and cut out someone’s tongue with a smile on his face. You have no idea who you messed with.”

“I’ve seen him kill people.”

“You haven’t seen him kill people for fun. I’d bet money on it,” he chuckled, and I hated how I flinched as he gripped my chin in his hand and ran his thumb across my lower lip. “You’re not really my type, but I’m kind of hoping he lets me punish you a little myself. Ever had your ass fucked raw and then boiling water poured in your gaping hole? I hear it’s not pleasant.”

My silence made him snicker, and he released me before pacing a little further away. He was starting to look unhinged, and I hoped like hell that Ander got me out of here despite being a lying piece of shit.

Doors slammed, echoing through what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse of some kind. The room we were in was completely empty, other than the chair under me.

Relief filled me when Zavier appeared with Ander, my voice cracking. “Zav.”

“What the fuck?” Ander bit out, putting on a good show as he pulled his gun out.

Was this an act? Was he really sucking me and Zavier in with his bullshit charm for Stefano after all?

Zavier moved towards me, but Dante tutted and stepped in his path to stop him, glancing at Ander impatiently. “Why did you bring Lopez with you?”

“Because he was with me when you called and I didn’t particularly like the way you said you had a surprise for me. What the fuck are you doing?” Ander snapped, and I let out a dry laugh.

“Drop the act, Lavaro. Your cover’s blown.”

“What are you talking about?” he growled, his eyes dropping to notice my pants riding low. He aimed his gun at Dante, genuine fury in his voice. “What the fuck did you do to her? You fucking touched her?”

Zavier shoved Dante out of the way, moving to my side and inspecting my restraints.

“Ander. Give me your knife.”

Ander didn’t take his eyes off Dante as he pulled the knife from his pocket and moved towards us, offering it to Zavier, who instantly started cutting at the rope.

I winced, and Zavier murmured a soft apology.

When Ander finally looked at me and grabbed my chin to take in the damage, I jerked my face from his hold and kicked my foot out, aiming at any piece of him that I could reach.

“Fuck you!” I snapped, confusion filling his eyes.

“Bluebird—”

“Don’t fucking call me that!” I screamed, ignoring the curse from Zavier as the knife lightly nicked my wrist. I barely felt it, I was so angry. “Is Ander Lavaro even your real fucking name, or is that a lie too?”

“It’s my fucking name,” he said sharply, but I saw it. The flicker of guilt in his eyes that told me he knew that I was onto him.

“Yeah? You left out the part where Stefano is your fucking father. I highly doubt a prick like that would allow you to have a different name than him,” I said bitterly, my wrists coming free. “So, tell me your real name.”

“Fuck!” Ander shouted, waving his gun at Dante. “What the fuck did you tell her for?”

Zavier was rigid beside me, his fingers gently threading through my hair to calm me.

“Don’t even worry about it. The little whore was cheating on you, it’s why I snatched her up in the first place,” Dante said as he shot me a dirty look, not expecting Ander to throw a punch at him. “Hey! Take it out on her, not me! She was fucking that guy she apparently hates in your house!”

I got to my feet, thankful when Zavier slid an arm around me to stop me from stumbling. My head swam from the sudden movement, and I leaned on him to get my bearings.

“The guy she hates?” Zavier asked with confusion, looking down at me.

“Reid,” I answered, glaring at Dante. “It’s none of your business.”

My pants slipped more and Zavier let me go so he could fix them, Dante’s eyes narrowing on him. “Don’t get handsy, Lopez. I have no issue delivering you to my father in a box.”

“Big words for a man who just kidnapped and assaulted my fucking girlfriend,” Zavier bit out, managing to surprise Dante.

“Excuse me?”

Ander growled, shoving his gun down the back of his pants again and moving towards me. This time, Zavier blocked his view.

“Start fucking talking, Lavaro, or the only way you’ll leave here is in a fucking body bag,” Zavier demanded, confusing Dante even more when Ander took a step back.

“You’re just going to let him talk to you like that? After he just said he was fucking?—”

“I’m not the only guy she’s with,” Ander said flatly. “Although, Reid is new to the group huddle.”

“You’re a fucking cuckold? You let other men fuck your girl and disrespect you like that? Do you like watching them touch your property like a little bitch?” Dante gritted out, anger all over his face.

“She’s not property, and she was theirs first. Tell me what the fuck you did to her or I’m going to kill you, Dante,” he warned, making me chuckle.

“Who cares? You sure don’t. I never should’ve trusted you.”

“Raven, you don’t understand. I?—”

“I don’t even know who you are!” I screamed, my voice breaking. “I let you inside my fucking body . How could you look me in the eyes while fucking me and not feel guilty for lying to me?”

“I wasn’t lying, I really am Ander Lavaro,” he said with frustration, raking a hand through his hair. “Andre Ricci is just the name that piece of shit forced on me when he took me from my mom.”

My heart was burning in my chest, each breath painful.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I finally asked, shame crossing his face.

“You got the real me. That other me is just the puppet of a monster. I never wanted that part of my world to touch you, and it’s something I’m trying to get away from myself. Would you have really been okay if I’d told you straight up that I’m the illegitimate son of a mafia king?” He looked at Zavier, pleading in his eyes. “Would you ? None of you would’ve given me a chance.”

“I’d trust an honest mafia prince before a lying one,” Zavier stated bluntly, taking one of my wrists to look at the damage.

Dante eyed us, his shoulders dropping slightly as he sighed. “I didn’t touch her. I just made it look like it as a scare tactic. She was with another guy, Ander. I thought you had no idea.”

“Look at her fucking face!” Ander growled, motioning towards me as if Dante’s eyes weren’t working.

“I had to make a point.”

“You made a point. That you’re a fucking idiot,” Ander huffed, apparently hitting a nerve by the way Dante’s eyes narrowed.

“How was I to know you were letting a bunch of guys fuck your girlfriend? All I knew was that she was yours.”

“Yes, mine. Not yours. You shouldn’t have touched her in the first place.”

Dante was quiet for a second before rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, the emotionless expression gone as he gave me a sheepish smile. “Uh, sorry about that.”

“Sorry doesn’t fix it,” I said flatly, giving Ander a dirty look to let him know I was also talking to him.

“I’ll call Reid to come and get us,” Zavier mumbled as he pulled his phone out.

“We can take you guys back to the house,” Dante replied as if he hadn’t been threatening to murder and rape me moments go.

“If you think I’m getting in a car with either of you, you’re mistaken,” I snapped, panic written all over Ander’s face.

“Can we at least talk about this? Please? I’ll answer any questions you want.”

“You want to talk about your fake dead sister? Your secret mafia prince life? What’s there to talk about?” I demanded, noticing Dante wince.

“My sister wasn’t some kind of made-up story,” Ander murmured, flicking his eyes away from me. “But yeah, I’ll tell you about her if you want.”

“I’m not getting in a car with you,” I repeated, and I was only going back to the house to pack my stuff, not that I told him that.

“But you’ll talk to me back at the house?” he asked, waiting for me to nod before fishing his keys from his pocket and holding them out to me. “You guys take the Supra. Dante can drop me off.”

I hesitated, giving him a look of confusion as I reached for them.

“I thought no one drove your car?”

“They don’t. You’re not just anyone though,” he said quietly. “Just please go back to the house so we can all talk.”

Part of me considered setting his damn car on fire and walking home, but I had no idea where we were, and as angry as I was, the thought of burning the one thing that Ander gave a fuck about felt a little too cruel.

Zavier took my hand and steered me towards the door to end the conversation, and I heard the distinct sound of someone getting punched as we left.

“Where are we?” I asked once we navigated the maze of hallways, Zavier’s hand tightening in mine.

“Abandoned slaughterhouse in Riverside. Do you want me to drive? You look like you’re going to pass out,” he observed, but I shook my head.

“I’ve got it. I just need?—”

“I know, you need some control. I get it. He really didn’t touch you?”

When I shrugged, he looked ready to turn around and go back inside, so I held his hand tighter. “Not that I know of. I’m sore, but anyone would be after what Reid and I did this morning.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“The mafia prick?”

“No, Reid,” he chuckled as we reached the Supra. He rested his arms on the roof as I circled the car to the driver’s side, his eyes on me as I unlocked it. “If you’re sore, was it an angry fuck? Kind of figured you’d have one with him eventually. You two have had insane sexual tension forever.”

My mouth kicked up into a smile, my lip burning from the movement as I opened the door. “More frantic than angry. It started as a fight though.”

“Most things between you and him always start with a fight,” he said dryly as he climbed into the passenger seat.

I started the car, a little scared to drive it since I could feel the power difference between this and any other car I’d driven. Even Rory’s car didn’t feel as powerful as this.

“You’re okay with Reid, right? I should’ve discussed it with you first, but it just kind of happened,” I said as I glanced over at him, removing the emergency brake.

“Reid and Logan were always going to come back to you. I promise, I’m fine with it.”

“Do you think Ander’s going to lie through his teeth to save face?” I asked, turning my attention to the road as I put the car in gear and eased off the clutch, scowling when I almost stalled it. “Is it broken?”

Zavier grinned. “Nah, the clutch is just different. This car’s made for speed, not crawling. Give it more gas. Once it’s moving, it’s fine.”

I did as he said, the car jerking forward and becoming smoother once we were moving, and I blew out a breath as I made sure the road was clear before easing onto it, almost stalling it again.

“This is going to be a long trip home.”

“Nah. The faster you drive, the smoother the ride,” he answered, studying me. “And to answer your question before, I don’t think Ander will lie. If I get a whiff of a lie, I’m knocking him the fuck out and I’ll get Cruz to pick us up.”

“Why are you so calm? He’s been lying to us, Zav.”

He was quiet for a second, and when I thought he wasn’t going to answer, he spoke. “You didn’t see him on the way to the slaughterhouse. He had no idea what Dante wanted, but he knew it was something about you when you didn’t answer the phone. A scheming man wouldn’t have freaked out like that. He’s never hidden that he has secrets, and he’s admitted that he didn’t have the best intentions when he first arrived in the Heights and befriended Riley and the others.”

“You’re just letting it go?”

“No. I’m going to listen to him, and then we can deal with it after.”

“I don’t want to stay with him tonight,” I said with a sigh, his hand moving to my thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“You don’t have to. We’ll organize something else when we get back to the house, okay? We can stay at the Thieves’ compound, or see if we can crash elsewhere.”

“Am I going the right way? I haven’t really driven here before,” I laughed nervously, the sun almost vanishing behind the mountains.

“Yeah. Follow the signs to Newhaven and into Mount Mercer.”

“You seem to know your way around here.”

“I’ve done a lot of trips to the slaughterhouse in the past,” he said as he glanced out the window.

“Why?”

“It’s Ander’s. It’s where we took people to deal with them, and he used to store his drugs there when he had a security team on payroll,” he mumbled, his fingers flexing on my thigh.

I had no idea what to say to that, so I didn’t say anything as I made my way back to familiar territory, cutting through Pine Valley and into the Heights.

I was surprised to find Logan and Reid parked out front of the house when we arrived, both of them leaning against the Challenger as they talked. They looked over when I drove into the driveway, and I found the button for the garage door so I could park inside.

I almost stalled it three times just getting the damn thing in there, but I did it and shut off the engine with a relieved groan.

“Thank fuck.”

Zavier climbed out and moved around the car to help me out, my legs feeling shaky for some reason.

“When did you eat last?” he asked as footsteps approached, making me wince.

“Yesterday.”

“Jesus, Raven,” he sighed, and I wanted to burst into tears when Reid appeared with a worried look on his face.

“What the fuck happened to you?”

“Long story,” I replied, his eyes narrowing.

“Then shorten it.”

“I was kidnapped.”

“Are you fucking serious?” he bit out, almost stepping into me as he carefully took my face in both hands, tilting my chin up towards the light so he could see me better.

I slid my arms around his middle and leaned into him, and he didn’t hesitate to pull me closer as he carefully slid his fingers through my hair to cradle the back of my head.

“C’mon, shut the door and let’s head inside. Anyone could be watching,” Zavier murmured, pressing the button for the garage door to go back down as he took the keys from my hand to lock the car before heading towards the door.

Reid and Logan gave us a strange look as Zavier used his finger print to get into the house, and embarrassment washed over me when I noticed the living room was exactly how Reid and I had left it.

My bra was on the couch, and the cushions were scattered on the floor, the foil packet from the condom still on the carpet.

“What happened in here?” Logan asked with amusement, surprise filling his face when Reid grunted.

“Raven and I dealt with some shit.” He looked at me, his voice low. “You were literally taken the second I left?”

“Yeah. I thought it was you coming back because you forgot something.” I blew out a breath, knowing the next bit was going to piss him off. “Dante saw us kissing when you were leaving. Ander hadn’t told him anyone else was involved with me, so he thought I was cheating on him.”

“Dante’s the one who fucking took you?” Reid gritted out, taking my face in his hands again to continue inspecting me.

“I’m too tired to explain it all. Ander’s on the way, he can tell you.”

“I know, he told me to meet him here. I want you to fucking tell me though so I know whether to punch him the second he walks through the door or not.”

Zavier stepped closer, sliding his arm around my middle to tug me away from Reid. “Leave her alone. Ander can explain it when he gets here because honestly, I’m unsure how to.”

“Where is he?” Logan demanded, not liking being left in the dark.

“With Dante. Raven didn’t want to get in a car with either of them, so Ander gave her the keys to the Supra and said he’d get Dante to drop him off. He was punching Dante when we left, so it might be a few minutes,” Zavier said dryly, nudging me. “Did you want to go wash up?”

“No, I want Ander to hurry up and get here so he can tell me more lies and we can leave,” I huffed, Reid’s eyes narrowing.

“What the fuck did Ander lie about?”

“What didn’t he fucking lie about?” I muttered under my breath, trying hard not to focus on the pain in my chest as I added, “Ander’s been lying to us since the beginning. He seems to think he can talk his way out of it, but I don’t think he can explain how he’s Stefano’s son and didn’t tell us. Dante’s not his friend, he’s his brother. I don’t know what he thinks he can say to make up for the fact that he’s not who I thought he was.”

I was expecting pure fury to wash over both Logan and Reid, but both of them looked like I’d punched them both in the stomach. Ander’s bullshit didn't just affect me, he’d been friends with Logan and Reid first.

“Ander’s a Ricci?” Logan finally asked, flicking his eyes to Zavier, who nodded.

“He seems mad about it and said something about Stefano taking him from his mother, but we don’t know much else. We came here to hear him out, but that’s it.”

Reid’s eyes were glued to me, and I hated how he saw straight through me sometimes. He knew how much this had hurt me, and I never would’ve gotten so close to anyone unless I’d trusted them.

A car outside had all three of the guys stepping closer to me, all of us eyeing the front door as the car sped off and Ander appeared. No one spoke for what felt like forever until Zavier was surprisingly the one to snap.

“Well? Are you going to start fucking talking?”

Ander winced, shutting the door and leaning back against it as he crossed his arms.

“I don’t really know where to start.”

“Maybe at the first fucking lie?”

Ander’s eyes moved to me, and I stared him down until he sighed.

“I was born in the US. Mom said I was the consequence of an affair with Stefano on one of his trips, but I think she just didn’t want me to know that I was the result of rape. There’s no way my mom would’ve been swept off her feet by a man like that. I lived with her and my little sister until I was twelve. Then Stefano crashed into our lives and destroyed everything,” he said softly, dropping his eyes to the floor. “Kimberly was seven, but Stefano’s men didn’t give a shit about that when they gunned her and Mom down right in front of me. They were good people. Kimberly excelled in her classes and Mom worked multiple jobs so both of us kids could attend good schools. I was a year ahead than I should’ve been, and I’d just been accepted into Primrose Academy for my first year of high school. They had a good sports program, and I was good at football, so we hoped I could join the team and catch the eye of some colleges to get a scholarship or something.”

I couldn’t imagine Ander in a fancy academy uniform. I was almost wondering if this story was bullshit too, until his voice broke as he brought up his sister again.

“Kimberly was screaming as they broke in and shot Mom. I tried to get to them, but I was grabbed by one of Stefano’s men and hauled out of the way. The image of my sister’s terror as she ran to me for help and ended up shot multiple times in the face will always remain in my head. It never goes away, it’s always there.”

“As much as this story is touching,” Reid grunted, glaring at him. “How about you get to the part where you’re a fucking mafia prince and didn’t think to tell us? We let you into our home. You’ve literally been sleeping with Raven. You didn’t think a sob story would make us forgive you, right? We don’t even know who you are. Why did you come here in the first fucking place?”

“Originally, I came here to spy on the crews for Stefano. Felt like a good idea because I got some freedom. I’d been dying to get out of that goddamn house in Italy since the day Stefano forced me into it. I never wanted to join the mafia, I didn’t get a say in the matter. My defiance was beaten out of me the moment I arrived, and after a year, I stopped fighting him. I was the perfect soldier for him,” he said bitterly, shaking his head slightly. “So after proving myself for years, he offered for me to come here to spy on the crews and gather intel. I had no idea what he wanted to do with it, so I was a good puppet and did as I was told. It wasn’t hard once I got closer to Riley.”

“You motherfucker,” Logan bit out, but Ander put his hand up to silence him.

“Riley was the turning point. She cracked through my outer shell and became my fucking lifeline. So did you guys and Blake. The only person who’d cared about me since I lost my sister and mother was Dante, so finding family in you guys? It was unexpected. By then, I felt like I couldn’t tell you the truth. If I told Riley I’d only been here to possibly take down her family, I would've lost her. You guys would’ve all turned on me too, and I couldn’t face that.”

“Slick?” Reid asked bluntly, nausea swimming inside me at the mention of that prick’s name. He’d been the one to cause Reid’s crash, and he’d burned to death in his car a month later after almost killing Riley too.

Ander’s jaw was tight as he nodded. “He was part of it too, it’s why I couldn’t just kick him out of the races. When I eventually snapped, I had to make up some bullshit about Riley’s family getting suspicious because of Slick’s actions, and thankfully, Stefano agreed that Slick needed to back off. Riley knew I had secrets, I told her so myself, but she trusted me anyway. That in itself spoke volumes, and I had to make up bullshit intel after that to keep them safe. I couldn’t do it anymore.”

“I don’t give a fuck who you are,” I said sharply, his gaze burning into me as he listened. “All I care about is that you didn’t tell me before fucking me. I don’t trust people, you know that. I finally let you in, only to find out that you’re a lying piece of shit. That isn’t exactly something I can just forgive.”

“I know. I just ask that you let me try to fix this.”

“I don’t think you can, Ander. I don’t fucking know you.”

“You know me better than anyone!” he snapped, reining his frustration back in again when Zavier gave him a dirty look. “I could let my guard down with you. I could just be Ander Lavaro, and not Andre Ricci. I never asked for that life, I was forced into it, and you took all of that away.”

“You still should’ve told me before we took things further,” I said angrily, clenching my fists by my sides. “I don’t want to see you right now.”

“Please don’t leave me,” he said so quietly I barely heard him.

“I’ve heard enough today. Respect my right to process things. I’m not staying here with you.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he nodded. “I just want to know you’re safe.”

“I was until you strolled into our lives,” I answered, not caring if it stung.

I headed into the bedroom to grab my things, forcing myself to keep my shit together. Ander wasn’t going to see me cry over him, I wouldn’t let that happen.

Logan appeared in the doorway as I angrily shoved things into bags, and when he silently moved in behind me and slid an arm around my waist, I turned and buried my face in his chest.

“I’ve messaged Beckett. She said we can all crash at hers tonight to figure out a plan,” he said quietly.

“You told Beckett?” I croaked out, a little surprised that she hadn’t kicked the door in and murdered Ander on the spot.

“No, I just said that some shit is going down and you guys need somewhere to stay tonight. We’ll talk to her when we get there.”

This wasn’t going to go down well. She’d had it out for Ander just as long as I had, but she would literally murder him, unlike me.

We moved around the room in silence after that, collecting mine and Zavier’s things until we were sure we had it all. Logan took the bags and walked out ahead of me, making sure to keep himself between me and Ander as we got to the front door, taking my bra from the couch on the way past.

They stared at each other for a moment before Ander stepped out of the way, his eyes burning into me as he let me leave without a fight.

Zavier and Reid followed, both of them climbing into the Challenger and leaving me and Logan to take the Plymouth.

We drove off first, and Logan gave me the side-eye. “So, you and Reid?”

I could tell it hurt him to know he was the only one still on the outs, but he was trying to make conversation.

“I can’t handle that conversation right now,” I mumbled, sliding my hand onto his thigh to let him know I wasn’t mad, just tired. “Can we talk about it later?”

“Absolutely. We’ll grab you something to eat on the way to Beckett’s too. Zav said you haven't eaten today.”

He placed his hand on mine, threading our fingers together when I let him take my hand properly, and he thankfully pretended like he didn’t notice when a few tears finally leaked from the corners of my eyes as we drove into Ashburn.